Star Wars Episode 7 Rumors: Who Are Actors Vying to Replace Luke Skywalker in Episode VII?

Star Wars Episode 7 Rumors: Who Are Actors Vying to Replace Luke Skywalker in Episode VII?
John Boyega in a scene from "Attack the Block." He could be cast as the new lead in the Star Wars universe. (AP Photo/Sony Screen Gems, Liam Daniel)
Zachary Stieber
3/14/2014
Updated:
7/18/2015

A number of men are in the running to become the new lead Jedi in the Star Wars universe, starting with Episode VII. 

Adam Driver of “Girls” has all been confirmed as the main villain.

Now Variety reports that young actors are on the top of the list to replace Luke Skywalker as the main protagonist in the revived Star Wars film universe.

They would be Ed Speleers (“Downton Abbey”), John Boyega “Attack the Black”), Jesse Plemons (“Breaking Bad”), and theater actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher.

Insiders insisted that the search is still ongoing, meaning other names could be added in, but these men have risen to the top of the crucial consideration.

At least three films with huge roles in the latter two would likely be the reward for getting the gig.

News Photo: Ed Speleers attends the English National Ballets Christmas…

Ed Speelers. (Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images)

News Photo: Actor Matthew James Thomas attends The 67th Annual…

Matthew James Thomas. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

News Photo: Actor Jesse Plemons arrives as AMC Celebrates the…

Jesse Plemons. (Mark Davis/Getty Images)

Exact details of the character are vague--as is pretty much all Star Wars news--but he is believed to be a Jedi apprentice.

While it was originally planned to focus on the offspring of Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Hans Solo in Episode VII, later script changes were reportedly made so that the focus would be on these three (played by Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and Harrison Ford)--while the focus would shift to the offspring starting in Episode VIII. 

The delay of choosing the lead is because executives want someone of a different ethnicity than previous Caucasian leads. 

Speleers, Plemons, and Thomas are white while Boyega and Fisher are black. 

Filming for the movie is slated to start in the next several months of this year, while the movie will hit theaters on December 18, 2015.