It was recently revealed that preliminary filming on Star Wars: Episode VII is already underway, with most of the cast already set. Director J.J. Abrams is known for keeping an extremely tight lid on his projects, and indeed Disney has officially announced/confirmed nearly nothing about the project, even though principal photography is only weeks away. The one confirmed cast member we do have is R2D2, and now it looks like another familiar face will officially be returning as well: Chewbacca. Could that mean an official announcement of Chewie’s close pal Han Solo is not far behind? Hit the jump for more.
Per Heat Vision, Peter Mayhew will be reprising his role as Chewbacca in Episode VII, though further details about the character return are unknown. Though there has been no confirmation yet, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher are said to be reprising their roles as Han, Luke, and Leia as well, so Chewbacca would fit into the “old guard” set of characters that will be joined by three new young leads.
Again, confirmed information regarding Episode VII is basically non-existent at this point, but THR seems confident that Chewbacca will be returning and the casting makes sense—Episode VII takes place 30 years after Return of the Jedi and there has to be some way to bridge the gap between the initial trilogy and this new set of films. The other solid piece of casting we have thus far is Adam Driver (Girls) onboard to play an undisclosed villain, which was also reported by THR.
With filming poised to begin in earnest next month, May 4th feels like the perfect opportunity to, once and for all, unveil the full official cast list. Fingers crossed. Star Wars: Episode VII opens December 18, 2015.
To catch up on all of our Star Wars coverage thus far, click here. Peruse the recent links below.
- Filming on STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Already Underway; Most of the Cast Is Set
- STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Likely Shooting in Iceland; Is J.J. Abrams Going Back to Hoth?
- STAR WARS: EPISODE VII to Be Released in IMAX
- STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Takes Place 30 Years After RETURN OF THE JEDI; Starts Filming in May
- Lupita Nyong’o Meets with J.J. Abrams for Role in STAR WARS: EPISODE VII
- Shortlist for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Lead Includes John Boyega and Jesse Plemons
- STAR WARS EPISODE 7 News: Adam Driver Nearing Deal to Play the Villain
- Gary Oldman and Zac Efron Confirm They’ve Had Meetings for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII
- Miles Teller Talks His STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Audition
- J.J. Abrams Says STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Script Is Done; Talks Jesse Plemons Rumors, Filming in IMAX, and More
- Jesse Plemons Eyed for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII
- The STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Script Hasn’t Been Turned in Yet
- UNBROKEN Stars Jack O’Connell Rumored for “Key Role” in STAR WARS: EPISODE VII
- J.J. Abrams Says New STAR WARS Release Date Is a “Huge Improvement”; Talks Reluctance to Shoot in London
- Confirmed: R2-D2 Will Appear in STAR WARS: EPISODE VII
- Disney Accepting Video Auditions Nationwide for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII
- STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Will Open in 3D on December 18, 2015