The official Star Wars: Episode VII cast list has been officially revealed on the StarWars.com website. Directed by J.J. Abrams, the new episode in the official saga under the Disney umbrella is bringing together both old and new generations of actors to star in what is one of the most eagerly anticipated sci-fi films in recent memory.
Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.
According to the post on StarWars.com, director J.J. Abrams stated, “”We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII . It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.”
Fans of the Star Wars saga will recognize many of the older cast members returning to reprise their roles for Star Wars: Episode VII . Rumors of the original cast returning after sightings in London were swirling, but now they can be confirmed. The picture above from StarWars.com shows Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher along with Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker and Peter Mayhew who brought to life the characters of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Lea, C-3PO, R2-D2 and Chewbacca respectively.
The new cast members range from relative unknowns to established household names in the fantasy and sci-fi genre. Most notable is Andy Serkis, who rose to prominence after bringing Gollum to life in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. He also appeared in King Kong and Rise of the Planet of the Apes, while video game fans will recognize him from Heavenly Sword and Enslaved: Odyssey to the West .
Others will recognize Max von Sydow, a Swedish actor who is best known for his roles in the films of Ingmar Bergman and in The Exorcist as Father Merrin. His more recent credits include Minority Report , Shutter Island and Robin Hood . Video game fans will recognize his deep grandfatherly voice from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim as Esbern.
The other 5 actors are relative newcomers, with many having only TV experience. Daisy Ridley has only one film credit in the horror movie Scrawl; currently in post-production. John Boyega can be recognized from the 24: Live Another Day TV series that is currently filming and from Imperial Dreams. Adam Driver has been part of the HBO series Girls as Adam Sackler in 27 episodes. Oscar Isaac and Domhnall Glesson worked together on the recently wrapped movie Ex-Machina.
Much like the original cast, the younger cast members are coming from obscurity, and if any film can make them rise in the eyes of the public, it is Star Wars: Episode VII .
Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.
Images via Disney and Bing