Though we have an official cast for Star Wars: Episode VII, and we know that the Millenium Falcon will play a role in the J.J. Abrams-helmed franchise update, actual information about the blockbuster’s storyline has been hard to come by. Now, the occasionally reliable Latino Review has emerged with some information about Star Wars: Episode VII that they claim will be confirmed within the next few weeks.
Most interesting, Latino Review’s writer claims that John Boyega, who broke out in the absolutely terrific alien invasion flick Attack the Block, is the new Luke Skywalker figure for the franchise. Their report states:
“John Boyega isn’t a Jedi or a Padawan at the beginning of the movie, he’s the one that has the story arc that brings him into Star Wars’ greater universe. It has echoes of Luke’s arc in A New Hope.”
If that rumor turns out to be true, I whole-heartedly approve. Boyega is an extremely talented up-and-comer, and he definitely has the screen presence necessary to lead Star Wars. The fact that Abrams and company are going for similar characters to those in the original franchise is interesting, but it’s too early to tell whether hewing closely to past films is a good idea or a bad one.
Also in their report, Latino Review mentioned that there will be no New Republic at the beginning of the movie, despite the film being set 30 years after Return of the Jedi.
They also stated that there will be a female villain and that they are “over 50% sure she’s a Sith.” Could this turn out to be Lupita Nyong’o’s role in the film? I certainly hope so. She’s shown us that she has a terrific emotional range in 12 Years a Slave, but the Oscar winner has yet to play a villain. Adam Driver (Girls) is reportedly playing a baddie – but would this new female villain work with him or serve a different master?
We really don’t know much about this movie, but speculation is half the fun on big projects like this.
Star Wars: Episode VII arrives on December 18th, 2015.
