Posted on by Dunc

Rumor: Downton Abbey, Attack the Block actors among 5 up for an Episode VII lead

Four Episode VII contenders, per Variety: Ed Speleers, John Boyega, Jesse Plemons, and Matthew James Thomas
Four Episode VII contenders, per Variety: Ed Speleers, John Boyega, Jesse Plemons, and Matthew James Thomas

Variety today reports that Ed Speleers (Downton Abbey, Eragon) John Boyega (Attack the Block,) and theater actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher are in contention for a lead role in Episode VII. The earlier rumored Jesse Plemons was sort of confirmed to be up for something by J.J. Abrams. UPDATE: Apparently Abrams visited the Downton set last year. As a fan, or on a scouting mission?

Ray Fisher
Ray Fisher played Muhammad Ali in the play ‘Fetch Clay, Make Man’ at the New York Theater Workshop last year.
Variety says the character is a Jedi apprentice, and they go on to say:

Sources also indicate the reason for the delay has to do whether execs and creatives want someone of a different ethnicity from the previous Caucasian leads. Abrams has said on numerous occasions that he wants to have a diversified cast, which is why actors like David Oyewolo and Michael B. Jordan tested early on.

…Yay? Of course fans have already jumped on this character being a possible (biracial? adopted?) Skywalker, which would probably warrant more discussion than an unrelated apprentice.

While it’s nice to have some names, it’s hard to really get excited about any of these folks yet. (Particularly Speleers, the only one I’ve actually seen act, because… Eragon. I said back then that he looked like “the unnatural offspring of Hayden Christenson and Mark Hamill.” Not exactly the ‘I called it’ that I’m hoping for.) I admit I’m hoping that Episode VII will have a female lead – and it’s been a while since we’ve heard anything on that front from the trades. Sigh.

8 Replies to “Rumor: Downton Abbey, Attack the Block actors among 5 up for an Episode VII lead”

  1. I was happy to have guessed right with my “look towards Downton Abbey” posts on Tumblr. I mean, I have to get one thing right in my analysis over this era, I hope. Your “unnatural offspring of Hayden Christensen and Mark Hamill” comment is priceless.

  3. Speelers’s redeemed himself a LOT in my eyes with Downton, to the point I was going “Why is that name familiar…wait, that’s freakin’ Eragon? When did he learn to act?”

    1. Well, as I was saying on Twitter… It was his first big role. We can’t really blame him for the film being a disaster.

  5. A lead role that can be white or black. Interesting. No Skywalker or Solo then, unless it’s a grandkid (and even that might push genetics a little).
    So who could it be? “Young twenty-something male, witty and smart, fit but not traditionally good looking”? Or “a late twenty-something male, fit, handsome and confident”?

    1. Again, could be biracial or adopted. The only kid who really has to be white is any genetic offspring of Han and Leia. (Assuming they’re even still a couple…) If there’s a Mrs. Skywalker (Mara or not) they could cast her as any race.

      Or, if we assume we’ll have the traditional three mains in the younger generation, this apprentice could be the Han/Padme, with one or both of the other two leads as Skywalker/Solos. Hell, only Speleers actually kinda looks like any of the existing folks, maybe he’s really up for another role entirely.

  6. I’m just waiting. The speculation is amusing.

    Although, I do have to say that my watching of Downton Abbey has me a bit squicked by Speleers. He’s so slimy on that show! LOL

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