‘Star Wars’ cast: Hamill-approved

CNN.com - Entertainment
The cast of "Star Wars: Episode VII" unites well-known "Star Wars" names with some up-and-coming actors. At least one cast member, Daisy Ridley, is so new she has just a few acting credits to her name. You can see her in the back right of this cast photo, wearing a necklace and talking to "Star Wars" veteran Carrie Fisher. Here's who she'll star with:The cast of "Star Wars: Episode VII" unites well-known "Star Wars" names with some up-and-coming actors. At least one cast member, Daisy Ridley, is so new she has just a few acting credits to her name. You can see her in the back right of this cast photo, wearing a necklace and talking to "Star Wars" veteran Carrie Fisher. Here's who she'll star with:
Although director J.J. Abrams and the rest of the creative team have been quiet about character details, we now know who will make up the cast of the 2015 film. One is John Boyega, pictured. Best known for the 2011 sci-fi action comedy "Attack the Block," Boyega has been one of the actors rumored to be a top choice for the lead role.Although director J.J. Abrams and the rest of the creative team have been quiet about character details, we now know who will make up the cast of the 2015 film. One is John Boyega, pictured. Best known for the 2011 sci-fi action comedy "Attack the Block," Boyega has been one of the actors rumored to be a top choice for the lead role.
Adam Driver is a diverse actor who'll presumably get to show more of his range in "Star Wars: Episode VII." While he's best known for playing a quirky love interest on "Girls," Driver has also appeared in feature films "J. Edgar," "Lincoln," "Frances Ha" and "Inside Llewyn Davis."Adam Driver is a diverse actor who'll presumably get to show more of his range in "Star Wars: Episode VII." While he's best known for playing a quirky love interest on "Girls," Driver has also appeared in feature films "J. Edgar," "Lincoln," "Frances Ha" and "Inside Llewyn Davis."
Oscar Isaac had a breakthrough role in 2013 as the cranky singer-songwriter Llewyn Davis in the drama "Inside Llewyn Davis." We can't imagine his work in "Star Wars: Episode VII" will require him to sing, but it would be awesome if it did; Isaac has proved he's got a great set of pipes. Oscar Isaac had a breakthrough role in 2013 as the cranky singer-songwriter Llewyn Davis in the drama "Inside Llewyn Davis." We can't imagine his work in "Star Wars: Episode VII" will require him to sing, but it would be awesome if it did; Isaac has proved he's got a great set of pipes.
Andy Serkis is setting himself up to have a busy few years. The celebrated actor will next appear in this summer's "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," which will be followed by "Star Wars: Episode VII" next year. After that, he's expected to appear in another "Tintin" movie, "The Adventures of Tintin: Prisoners of the Sun."Andy Serkis is setting himself up to have a busy few years. The celebrated actor will next appear in this summer's "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," which will be followed by "Star Wars: Episode VII" next year. After that, he's expected to appear in another "Tintin" movie, "The Adventures of Tintin: Prisoners of the Sun."
Does the name Domhnall Gleeson sound familiar? That might be because you remember him as Bill Weasley in the last two movies of the "Harry Potter" franchise. But Gleeson has established himself with a host of other projects, including 2010's "Never Let Me Go" and 2013's "About Time." Suffice to say that if you don't know Gleeson by now, you will after "Star Wars: Episode VII."Does the name Domhnall Gleeson sound familiar? That might be because you remember him as Bill Weasley in the last two movies of the "Harry Potter" franchise. But Gleeson has established himself with a host of other projects, including 2010's "Never Let Me Go" and 2013's "About Time." Suffice to say that if you don't know Gleeson by now, you will after "Star Wars: Episode VII."
When we learned that "Episode VII" is supposed to take place 30 years after "Return of the Jedi" and feature a trio of newbies alongside some familiar faces, we were ready to bet the house that Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker would be one of the recognizable stars. It was an easy guess to make, though; Hamill has long been considered an unspoken done deal. When we learned that "Episode VII" is supposed to take place 30 years after "Return of the Jedi" and feature a trio of newbies alongside some familiar faces, we were ready to bet the house that Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker would be one of the recognizable stars. It was an easy guess to make, though; Hamill has long been considered an unspoken done deal.
Carrie Fisher was one of the original "Star Wars" cast members who initially said she was on board the new movie, only for her rep to backtrack and say the actress was kidding. But Abrams' announcement is no joke: the former Princess Leia has returned.Carrie Fisher was one of the original "Star Wars" cast members who initially said she was on board the new movie, only for her rep to backtrack and say the actress was kidding. But Abrams' announcement is no joke: the former Princess Leia has returned.
After playing coy with the press for months, Harrison Ford has officially been announced as a part of the "Star Wars: Episode VII" cast. The actor is expected to reprise his role of Han Solo.After playing coy with the press for months, Harrison Ford has officially been announced as a part of the "Star Wars: Episode VII" cast. The actor is expected to reprise his role of Han Solo.
We can't be the only ones who are supremely relieved to see that Anthony Daniels, the voice of C-3PO, will be back in action.We can't be the only ones who are supremely relieved to see that Anthony Daniels, the voice of C-3PO, will be back in action.
Obviously, you can't have Daniels' C-3PO without Kenny Baker's R2-D2. Just the thought of splitting up the droids is heartbreaking!Obviously, you can't have Daniels' C-3PO without Kenny Baker's R2-D2. Just the thought of splitting up the droids is heartbreaking!
Peter Mayhew is probably somewhere warming up his voice for that famous Chewbacca roar. The actor was rumored to be reprising the character in "Star Wars: Episode VII," but it wasn't official until Abrams' announcement.Peter Mayhew is probably somewhere warming up his voice for that famous Chewbacca roar. The actor was rumored to be reprising the character in "Star Wars: Episode VII," but it wasn't official until Abrams' announcement.
Max von Sydow is one of the veteran actors joining the upcoming "Star Wars" movie. It isn't clear what the wide-ranging thespian will do in Abrams' picture, but we can rest assured that he'll bring his respected acting chops to the part.Max von Sydow is one of the veteran actors joining the upcoming "Star Wars" movie. It isn't clear what the wide-ranging thespian will do in Abrams' picture, but we can rest assured that he'll bring his respected acting chops to the part.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
  • The "Star Wars: Episode VII" cast has a stamp of approval from Mark Hamill
  • The original Luke Skywalker tweeted that the cast is "extraordinarily talented"
  • Hamill is one of the many "Episode VII" actors was recently announced
  • "Star Wars: Episode VII" opens December 18, 2015

(CNN) -- Amid the back-and-forth about the cast of the new "Star Wars" movie, one voice has cut through the fray: Luke Skywalker's.

That's Mark Hamill, for some of you.

The actor tweeted his support of the recently announced "Star Wars: Episode VII" team on Thursday, calling his new and returning castmates a varied and impressive group.

"I was knocked out by the diverse & extraordinarily talented new cast members," Hamill said of a UK table read. "WOW they're good! The saga is in superb hands."

On Tuesday, Disney and Lucasfilm made an official announcement of who's joined "Star Wars: Episode VII," revealing that original "Star Wars" actors will appear in the film along with a number of newcomers. Along with Hamill, "Star Wars" veterans Harrison Ford, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker and Carrie Fisher are all reprising their former roles.

They'll be joined by "Inside Llewyn Davis'" Oscar Isaac, "Attack the Block's" John Boyega, "Girls" actor Adam Driver and newcomer Daisy Ridley, among others.

Character descriptions haven't been offered, but with Hamill's endorsement, perhaps the Force can remain undisturbed.

Although Fisher momentarily confused "Episode VII" with "Chapter VII," she got it right long enough to give her own vote of confidence for the upcoming film. "May the Episode 7 be with you always," she tweeted to her fans April 30.

"Star Wars: Episode VII," which will be directed by J.J. Abrams, arrives December 18, 2015.

CNN.com - Entertainment

More Posts