Star Wars Episode 7 plot rumors, casting news: Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel Hurd-wood, Alex Pettyfer
The latest cast rumors surrounding Star Wars Episode 7 is none other than Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch.
The actor will reportedly reunite with director JJ Abrams to star in the upcoming film, according to Film Chronicles.
It is not known which role he will take on in the film, if the rumors are indeed true, but the actor has admitted that he has been a Star Wars fan as a child.
Cumberbatch told Total Film: "I was much more connected to [Star Wars] as a kid, in the way that a lot of kids are because it's immediate storytelling, very simple – a beautifully, outrageously simple narrative in a way – and a wonderful three-act melodrama, opera. And I loved them. I really, really loved those films and I always wanted to be Han Solo. Everything Harrison Ford did I just thought was the coolest thing ever."
Other casting rumors involve Rachel Hurd-wood and Alex Pettyfer. Hurd-Wood reportedly auditioned for the role as both Princess Leia and Han Solo's daughter, according to Latino Review. The publication stated: "I know who went in for an audition to play the daughter of Princess Leia (and presumably Han Solo) ... And got it confirmed via representation and other solid sources." The source for Latino Review continued, "Our sources told us that she went in for a read and, so far, was the only one that went in for the part. However, there will be other girls going for a read, meaning SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE ROLE YET!! We want to be very clear on that before it gets blown out of context."
Lucas Film is set to make a major announcement about the cast of Star Wars Episode 7 soon.
The plot is rumored to take place 30 years after the events in "Return of the Jedi," meaning that the main characters in the film will be the children of Leia and Han or Luke Skywalker.
Star Wars Episode 7 is currently in pre-production with JJ Abrams set to direct. Kathleen Kennedy will produce the film, while Michael Arndt will be writing the script.
The production of the film will be moved to the UK and the final movie is slated for a release date on December 15, 2015.
