Collider is confirming that J.J. Abrams is has actively spoken with actor Jesse Plemons (Observe And Report, Battleship, Breaking Bad [TV]) about starring in the upcoming film, Star Wars VII. The news now adds Plemons to several others now being circulated in the rumormill for possible roles in the film, including Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class/Days Of Future Past, Prometheus) and Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek: Into Darkness, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug).
Abrams was sought after and ultimately tasked to direct Star Wars VII following several reports of creator, producer, writer and director, and sci-fi film pioneer George Lucas sold all of Lucasfilm to Disney to the tune of $4.05 billion dollars in October of 2012 following his announced retirement six months earlier. Further news followed in the months thereafter stating that the film will kick off a new trilogy, with the seventh installment to be produced and written by Abrams with Star Wars: Episode II – The Empire Strikes Back scribe, screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan.
As principal photography approaches with several spin-off movies also in development, longtime Star Wars fans and cult followers eagerly await confirmation of the return of the three central iconic characters from the Lucas-directed original ’77-’83 trilogy, played by actors Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford, and actress Carrie Fisher. Star Wars VII is currently targeted for a December 18, 2015 theatrical release, with sequel dates also being prepped for 2017 and 2019.
Stay tuned for more information.