Veteran members of the Star Wars cast have been ordered to lose weight before the filming of the seventh installment to the series begins.
It is believed that both Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, who portrayed Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in the first three films, will have nutritionists and personal trainers assigned to them ahead of production, which is set to being later this year.
It is thought that producers want the 61-year-old Hamill and the 56-year-old Fisher to lose several pounds so that they more closely resemble their characters.
A source told The Sun , “Mark and Carrie need to be as close to their appearance in the earlier movies as possible. Producers are keen to help out and have offered support. The budget is huge so there will be no expense spared.”
Harrison Ford, who is also expected to reprise his role as Han Solo, isn’t being asked to reduce his weight, after producers proclaimed they were impressed by the 71-year-old’s physique.
Hamill recently discussed the possibility that he might return to the role, stating, “Saying ‘let well enough alone, let everyone keep their nice memories if they have nice memories and don’t try to go back and do it again.’ But the other side of me, the adventurous side, thinks, ‘if everyone’s in, how could I miss this?’”
Ford has remained tight-lipped over his return, stating, “Um, I don’t even want to discuss that. It’s great. Ain’t it great?” Whilst Carrie Fisher has joked that Princes Leia will probably be in an old folks home.
J.J. Abrams has inherited the director’s chair from George Lucas for the upcoming trilogy, and rumours are currently circulating over who will take the new starring roles , whilst a script is currently being worked on by Toy Story 3’s Michael Arndt.
Are you looking forward to Star Wars Episode VII?