Development on Star Wars: Episode VII continues to move forward as the film barrels towards an early 2014 production start-date, and director J.J. Abrams understandably has his hands full.  The Star Wars franchise is a massive undertaking, so obviously Abrams wants to make sure that he has all of his pieces in the right place before filming begins.  He’s likely continuing to work on the script with screenwriter Michael Arndt, but he’s also working hard to assemble his cast.

Saoirse Ronan recently confirmed that she auditioned for a role in Episode VII, and now the actress has spoken a bit more about the audition process, noting that she never saw a script but she did get to use a lightsaber.  Hit the jump for more.

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Speaking with Empire, Ronan talked a bit about the audition process for Star Wars, making it clear that she’s just one of many, many women who have been auditioning for the same female role:

“Yeah, I did [audition for Star Wars Episode VII]… I don’t know whether I should have said that now! I mean, everyone did. Everyone has auditioned for it. So many people I know have gone in for the part I’ve gone in for, and guys who’ve gone in for a particular part, so I’d imagine J.J. is probably just scanning the earth to find the people that he needs.”

This is to be expected, and I do not envy Abrams in the least when it comes to the amount of pressure he’s under.  Episode VII is intended to kick off a whole new trilogy of films, so the actors that sign on will presumably be sticking around for some time.

Ronan went on to talk specifically about the audition, revealing that she was asked to use a lightsaber:

“But nobody has a clue what it’s about, and nobody’s read the script. So I’ve gone in and read for it, but I have to say, I think it’s the only time I’ve ever thought, ‘You know what? Even if I don’t get it, I had so much fun auditioning, pretending to take out a lightsaber – out of a bag, kind of inspect it and not know what it is. That was… that was great. A lightsaber! Star Wars!”

Again, not unexpected, but that’s pretty cool.  The audition processes for Christopher Nolan’s Batman and Zack Snyder’s Superman both saw a multitude of actors donning the iconic suits, as it’s important to make sure that the actor chosen for the role doesn’t look silly in the world of the film.  As casting continues, hopefully we hear firm word with regards to at least one role before the Thanksgiving holiday.

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