News

The Pacific Rim robots are coming to the small screen.

As part of a first-look television deal with Legendary Entertainment, writer/producer Eric Heisserer (Shadow and Bone, Arrival) is developing an origin story series for the movie franchise, our sister site Variety reports.

More from TVLine2024 Democratic National Convention: Watch VP Nominee Tim Walz, Nancy Pelosi, Pete Buttigieg Speak on Day 32024 Democratic National Convention: Watch Speeches by President Obama, Michelle Obama and Doug Emhoff on Day 2The Irrational Among Fall TV Premieres Delayed by Vice Presidential Debate

The Pacific Rim films are set in a future where Earth is at...

Exclusive: Fox’s anthology series Accused has added Debra Winger (An Officer and a Gentleman), Mercedes Ruehl (The Fisher King) and Christine Ebersole (Wolf of Wall Street) to its Season 2 cast. Matthew James Thomas, who appeared in Season 1, will return in a new role.

Season 2 premieres Tuesday, October 8 at 8 p.m., a new date following a delay due to the upcoming Vice Presidential debate.

Accused is a collection of intense, topical human stories of crime and punishment. Told from the defendant’s point of view through flashbacks, each episode is a fast-paced provocative thriller, exploring a different crime, in a different city with an entirely original cast. The series is based on the BBC BAFTA Award-winning crime anthology of the same name created by Jimmy McGovern.

The series also stars Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy, Nick Cannon and Michael Chiklis.

Winger, Ruehl, Ebersole and Thomas will appear in the episode...

Adam Bakri (Hell’s Gate) leads the cast of Fox’s Accused season one episode 13, “Samir’s Story.” Directed by Sameh Zoabi from a script by Daniel Pearle and Arlo Gordon, episode 13 is set to air on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 9pm Et/Pt.

In addition to Adam Bakri as the episode’s title character, “Samir’s Story” stars Anne Bedian as Rita Khalil, Julia Golandani Telles as Alice Baylor, Matthew James Thomas as Tom Braddick, and Matthew Edison as Ada Simon Stacher. Daniel Maslany is Eli DeMille, Christopher Russell is Josh, and Victor Ertmanis is Branson.

“Samir’s Story” Plot: A limo driver’s infatuation with one of his riders leads him down a dark path.

Adam Bakri and Julia Golden Telles in the “Samir’s Story” episode of ‘Accused’ (Photo by Steve Wilkie © 2023 Fox Media LLC)

Accused Season 1 Description:

Accused is a collection of 15 intense, topical, and exquisitely human stories of crime and punishment.

Accused has added more big names to its cast. Keith Carradine, Jason Ritter (Raising Dion), Betsy Brandt, Wrenn Schmidt (For All Mankind), and others have been added to the cast of the upcoming Fox series, per Deadline. Emma Nelson, Joanne Boland, Brad Austin, James Udom, Anne Bedian, Matthew James Thomas, Evan Gamble, Skywalker Hughes, Lyla Porter-Follows, Skylar Gaertner, Janet Porter, and Damon Redfern will also be seen in the crime thriller series.

Read More…...

Behind-the-scenes looks at Prime Video’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” are now available for streaming through X-Ray, providing insight into the making of all eight episodes from the show’s first season. The all-new series of bonus clips is titled “The Making of ‘The Rings of Power.’”

In diving into the elaborate production of the spin-off series, viewers dig deeper into the lore of J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary universe, including the painstaking attention to detail from artisans on staff such as set decorators, costume designers and makeup artists. The new content will also include footage from production, sneak peeks at how the Middle-earth realms were designed and interviews with cast and crew.

“Our team sifted through thousands of hours of behind-the-scenes footage to develop segments that highlight the passion and care that went into creating key moments of the show,” said Craig Muller, senior creative executive for X-Ray.

Oscar winner Keith Carradine (The Power of the Dog), Emmy nominee Jason Ritter (Raising Dion), Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad) and Wrenn Schmidt (Nope) have joined the cast of Fox’s upcoming anthology series Accused, based on the International Emmy-winning British series. The project comes from 24 executive producers Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa and House creator/executive producer David Shore.

Developed by Gordon and co-produced by Fox Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television, Accused is based on the BBC’s BAFTA-winning crime anthology. It opens in a courtroom on the accused, with viewers knowing nothing about their crime or how they ended up on trial. Told from the defendant’s point of view through flashbacks, Accused depicts how an ordinary person gets caught up in an extraordinary situation, ultimately revealing how one wrong turn leads to another, until it’s too late to turn back.

The series premieres Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 9 p.

A re-imagining of the 1997 Broadway musical Jekyll and Hyde will be the first project under Birdman screenwriter Alexander Dinelaris’ Lexicon and Richard Saperstein’s Bluestone Entertainment. Dinelaris has written a script and plans to produce a film version under the Lexicon banner.

The original musical featured music by Frank Wildhorn, a book by Leslie Bricusse and lyrics by Wildhorn, Bricusse and Steve Cuden. Though it opened to mixed critical reviews, the production was popular with audiences and ran for nearly four years and subsequently toured the globe. A 2013 Broadway revival was short-lived.

In a statement, Dinelaris said, “Bringing the gritty potential of Leslie and Frank’s stirring gothic musical to the big screen made Jekyll & Hyde the perfect project to launch Lexicon, which is focused on character driven,...

Toby Stephens, Keeley Hawes, Linus Roache and Timothy Spall will lead the cast of the BBC’s Cold War drama “Summer of Rockets.” Shooting is now underway around London and Oxford on the six-part drama, which is written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff.

The BBC has released a first-look image from the production featuring Stephens (pictured), who plays a 40-something Russian Jewish émigré, an inventor and designer of custom hearing aids. He is approached by British intelligence service MI5 and tasked with a secret mission to obtain information about a British government minister (Roache) and his wife (Hawes), whom he has recently befriended.

Set in Britain in 1958, when the country tested its first hydrogen bomb, the semi-autobiographical series is described by executive producer Helen Flint as being “hinged at the pivotal point of world history where the past and future are pulling in equal strength, and human beings, young and old,...

Exclusive: Toby Stephens (Black Sails), Keeley Hawes (Line of Duty), Linus Roache (Homeland) and Timothy Spall (Mr. Turner) have been set to star in writer-director Stephen Poliakoff’s (Dancing on the Edge) semi-autobiographical BBC Two drama Summer of Rockets, which is underway.

The six-episode hourlong series is set in the UK during the Cold War period of the late 1950s, a time when the UK, like much of the world, was dealing with the threat of international espionage and nuclear armageddon.

Helen Flint (Patrick Melrose) will executive produce for Little Island Productions and Lucy Richer for the BBC. The drama was commissioned by Patrick Holland, Controller of BBC Two, and Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, and will be distributed internationally by BBC Studios. Filming has begun in and around London and Oxford.

The series follows Samuel, a 40-something Russian Jewish émigré,...

After six seasons playing Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, on Downton Abbey, Elizabeth McGovern is once again the matriarch of a wealthy British family of the early 1900s in the Roundabout Theatre Company revival of J. B. Priestley’s Time and the Conways. Revived for the first time since its 1938 debut, the play is a time-jumping story that is filled with optimism and hope as the family celebrates one daughter’s birthday in the present and unimaginable transformations as they face their bitter realities 19 years later. But after watching McGovern perform onstage, which just so happens to mark her first time back on Broadway since playing Ophelia in Hamlet 25 years prior, it’s clear that Mrs. Conway is anything but the seemingly perfect, presentable and understanding mother that the actress embodied on the ITV series.

“I’m finding it a little bit frightening how easy it is for me to understand this mother. I’m not sure...

Don’t worry, victims of a fictional Brooklyn catastrophic event: Rachel Griffiths is on the case.

The Six Feet Under alum has signed on to star in an untitled NBC medical drama pilot from Law & Order: Svu‘s Warren Leight, our sister site Deadline reports.

The potential series, which unfolds in real time, takes place at an understaffed hospital that becomes the New York City borough’s last viable trauma center after a holiday weekend hurricane devastates the city. With few doctors on call, the...

Got pre-audition jitters? Or perhaps post-audition jubilation? Check out this musical theater playlist full of “I Want” songs, guaranteed to pump you up in times of doubt or keep your spirits soaring high! “96,000” from “In the Heights”Attempting to sing all of the overlapping parts at once will have you out of breath instantly, but could be worth it. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “96,000” is an explosive anthem of hope, and it's bound to get your feet moving before the frenzied crescendo even hits. This tune is essential before or after any audition, and it should be a required listen for everyone who enters the “Hamilton” lottery. “Corner of the Sky” from “Pippin”Pippin’s existential crisis sure is catchy! This rendition of “Corner of the Sky” pairs Matthew James Thomas’ whimsical tone with an alluring orchestral arrangement. It may be an overdone audition song, but there’s no rule against jamming...

The new Broadway musical Finding Neverland, starring Matthew Morrison, Kelsey Grammer and Laura Michelle Kelly, began previews on March 15 and officially opened last night, April 15, 2015 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre 205 West 46th Street. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was on the red carpet for opening night, and you can check out interviews with Bryan Cranston, Matthew James Thomas, Laura Benanti, Ansel Elgort and more...

According to Deadline, Broadway's Matthew James Thomas has landed a role as a series regular in a drama pilot for HBO, titled The Devil You Know. He joins Ever Carradine, Damien Molony, Julian Rhind Tutt, Nigel Lindsay, Ewen Bremner, Karen Gillan, Hannah Nordberg, Naian Gonzalez Norvind and Zawe Ashton in the new series from Orange Is The New Balck creator Jenji Kohan.

HBO drama pilot The Devil You Know (working title), co-written by Orange Is The New Black creator Jenji Kohan, Bruce Miller and Tracy Miller, is building out its cast. Joining previously announced Eddie Izzard, Nadia Alexander and Ismenia Mendes in series regular roles are Ever Carradine, Damien Molony, Julian Rhind Tutt, Matthew James Thomas, Nigel Lindsay, Ewen Bremner, Karen Gillan, Hannah Nordberg, Naian Gonzalez Norvind and Zawe Ashton. Tapped as recurring are Will Pu…...

On Thursday Evening, October 30th, there was certainly Magic to Do backstage at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Ben Vereen, the original Leading Player in the 1972 Broadway production of Pippin, visited with the cast backstage after watching the performance. Ben was reunited with his original Pippin, actor John Rubinstein Charles, with whom Ben appeared in the original Broadway production helmed by Bob Fosse. Actors pictured with Ben are Tony-Winner Andrea Martin Berthe Matthew James Thomas Pippin, Sasha Allen Leading Player and more Check out the photos below...

Matthew James Thomas, who originated the role of Pippin in the current 2013 Tony Award winning revival, will perform the title role when the show launches its tour in Denver, and he will also play the role in the entire run in San Francisco at the Shn Golden Gate Theatre September 23 through October 19, 2014 and in Los Angeles at Hollywood Pantages October 21 through November 9, 2014. Kyle Selig will be taking a medical leave of absence for vocal rest from the Pippin tour. It remains unknown whether Thomas will continue throughout the rest of the tour.

Matthew James Thomas, who originated the role of Pippin in the current 2013 Tony Award winning revival, will perform the role of Pippin when the show launches its tour in Denver on September 6 and will play the entire Denver engagement. Kyle Selig will be taking a medical leave of absence for vocal rest from thePIPPIN tour. This all-new production of Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz's Pippin is directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, features choreography by Tony Award nominee Chet Walker in the style of Bob Fosse and circus creation by Gypsy Snider of the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 doigts de la main also known as 7 Fingers. Pippin plays The Buell Theatre September 6 through 20 only Media Night Sept.10. Tickets are on sale now at Denvercenter.org or by calling 303.893.4100.

Just this week we learned from Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn that “Star Wars: Episode VII” has already begun filming and that casting is nearly complete, which means the search for the locked cast has only intensified. Aside from Adam Driver as the closest to a confirmed new role, a torrent of contenders including John Boyega, Ed Speelers, Matthew James Thomas, Ray Fisher, and Jesse Plemons have lingered still—so why not add a new potential frontrunner to the crowd? THR reports J.J. Abrams and the “Star Wars” producing team have set about fulfilling their promise of fresh faces in the new franchise entry, as Oxford-educated newcomer Maisie Richardson-Sellers is rumored for an undisclosed supporting role. Caution is of course required—the outlet claims talk denying Sellers’ involvement is just as prevalent so far. If true though, the stage actress (“For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide”, “Mephisto”) could be...

We may be headed to a galaxy far, far away, but the characters are looking very much the same. With production already started on "Star Wars: Episode 7," Disney exec Alan Horn admitted that casting was still being solidified. Well, here's another puzzle piece put into place. THR reports that the sixty-nine year-old Peter Mayhew will return as Chewbacca. Sigh. While Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher aren't officially official just yet, this pretty much guarantees it. You can't have Chewbacca in here without Han Solo, and you can't have Han without... well, you get the idea. Anyway, we're still not yet any closer to learning if rumored folks like John Boyega, Ed Speelers, Matthew James Thomas, Ray Fisher, Jesse Plemons and Lupita Nyong'o will join Adam Driver's villain of the picture. But of course, this being a J.J. Abrams joint, secrecy is paramount, so just keep guessing.

"We're actually shooting some of it now," Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn told THR about "Star Wars: Episode 7," and with that, "Star Wars" fans around the world clutched their lighsabers in excitement. Yes, cameras are rolling on the J.J. Abrams directed sequel, but there is still work to be done before things can go full throttle. And that involves setting up the ensemble who will tell the next chapter in the George Lucas created saga. “We have a lot of them [in place],” Horn said about casting. “We’re just not completely done yet.” And of course, he remained mum on any names, and all we do know at this point is that Adam Driver is playing the villain of the picture, with a host of names tossed around as contenders for parts including John Boyega, Ed Speelers, Matthew James Thomas, Ray Fisher, Jesse Plemons and Lupita Nyong'o. But for those...

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Kyle Dean MasseyNext to Normal, Wicked and Ciara Renee Big Fish will assume the roles of 'Pippin' and 'Leading Player' respectively in the Tony-winning Pippin beginning Tuesday, April 1, 2014. Matthew James Thomas and Tony Award winner Patina Miller will play their final performance on Sunday, March 30, 2014.Below, BroadwayWorld bid adieu to the show's extraordinary leads, Miller and Thomas, with a flashback of their time spent with the production. Check out photos and videos from their Pippin journey below...

Oscar-winning star of 12 Years a Slave is reportedly in the running for the female lead in Jj Abrams's sci-fi revival

Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o has had talks with Jj Abrams over a role in forthcoming Star Wars revival Episode VII, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Nyong'o, who picked up the best supporting actress prize for her feature film debut in harrowing race drama 12 Years a Slave earlier this month, is said to be in the running for the part of the female lead. The 31-year-old Mexican-Kenyan actor's meeting with Abrams took place prior to the Oscars, at which Steve McQueen's film also took home best film and best adapted screenplay.

Five actors were last week reported to be in the running for a young male lead role in Episode VII. Downton Abbey's Ed Speleers, Attack the Block's John Boyega and Breaking Bad's Jesse Plemons, as well...

Thanks to yesterday's shortlist we know that Jesse Plemons, Attack The Block's John Boyega, Downton Abbey's Ed Speleers, and stage actors Matthew James Thomas, and Ray Fisher are the actors who are being heavily considered to play the young male hero in Star Wars: Episode VII, but now a new story from The Hollywood Reporter has given us some insight as to what the production is looking for in its female roles. According to the trade's sources, actress Lupita Nyong'o - who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress just a few weeks ago for her turn in Steve McQueen's 12 Years A Slave - has taken at least one meeting with director/co-writer J.J. Abrams about potentially playing a key part in the next chapter of George Lucas' sci-fi epic. Insanely heavy security surrounding the project prevents us from knowing anything concrete about both the...

Take a meeting, take a number. Several dozen actors in Hollywood are taking meetings with J.J. Abrams, Kathleen Kennedy and the producers of “Star Wars: Episode VII.” You can add to that mix Lupita Nyong'o, who recently won an Oscar for her role in Steve McQueen’s “12 Years A Slave.” With “Girls” star Adam Driver being the only name that looks locked in right now (he’ll play the new Darth Vader-like baddie apparently), contenders include John Boyega ("Attack The Block"), Ed Speleers (aka Jimmy Kent from "Downton Abbey"), theatre actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher, and the already-rumored "Breaking Bad" and "Friday Night Lights" star Jesse Plemons. There hasn’t been too much word of females in the mix for 'Star Wars' thus far. One early name that popped up, “The Grand Budapest Hotel” star Saoirse Ronan already confirmed to us that she took meetings, but...

He’ll always be Landry to us. After his time in Dillon, Friday Night Lights star Jesse Plemons joined Breaking Bad for its final season and is now among the list of talented actors in consideration for Star Wars: Episode VII. According to Variety, five actors are in the running to star as the lead in J.J. Abrams‘ upcoming installment of the legendary Disney/Lucasfilm franchise.

In addition to Plemons, casting conversation is said to be focused around British actor John Boyega of Attack the Block and Downton Abbey‘s Ed Speleers as well as stage actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher. The lucky guy will eventually join Girls star Adam Driver, who was recently cast as the film’s villain. The original Stars Wars trio of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Hans Solo (Harrison Ford) is expected to be appearing in the film, but nothing has been confirmed.

The list of actors who could be Adam Driver’s opponent in J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII is apparently getting shorter according to a new story at Variety. According to the site, five men have emerged as potential front-runners to play the lead in the highly anticipated new film. The list of actors Disney is supposedly most interested in hiring features Downton Abbey’s Ed Speleers, everyone’s favorite creepy boy-next-door-slash-neo-Nazi-from-Breaking Bad Jesse Plemons, Attack the Block star John Boyega, and theater actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher. Before getting too upset about these options, keep in mind that some people close to the project report that the search is continuing – and these five names are just actors who’ve made...

Read More...

And the Jedi goes to … Breaking Bad's Jesse Plemons and Downtown Abbey's Ed Speleers among those shortlisted

• Star Wars Episode VII: casting Adam Driver as a villain is one very odd move

Downton Abbey's Ed Speleers and Attack the Block's John Boyega are on a shortlist of five actors tipped for a leading role in director Jj Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII, reports Variety.

The pair join Jesse Plemons, who was in Breaking Bad, as well as stage specialists Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher, in the running to play a young Jedi apprentice who will take on Adam Driver's previously announced "Darth Vader-like" villain.

Episode VII will focus on the heroes of the original trilogy – Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo – but a younger actor is also being sought who will presumably move to centre stage for succeeding films. Variety reports that Abrams...

It was two weeks ago that we learned that Girls breakout Adam Driver will be the new face of evil in J.J. Abrams' highly anticipated sequel to Return of the Jedi, and it appears that we will soon know the young Jedi apprentice who will be facing off against Driver's Vader-esque character. According to Variety, multiple sources have confirmed that the actors on Abrams' short list to play the hero include Ed Speleers (Eragon), John Boyega (Attack the Block) and Jesse Plemons (The Master), along with stage actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher.

The diverse ethnicity of the top contenders for the lead role adds weight to the rumors that Abrams is straying from the original script for Star Wars: Episode VII drafted by Michael Arndt, which was said to focus on the children of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher). The decision to cast...

It was recently reported that Adam Driver ("Girls") will play the villain in "Star Wars: Episode VII." And now comes word that five actors have been added to the list to play the lead role in the film. Those actors are Ed Speleers ("Downton Abbey"), John Boyega ("Attack the Block"), Jesse Plemons, Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher. Apparently Jj Abrams may add more names to the list, but the five actors mentioned have already been tested and still considered for the role. Variety says that details of the lead character are still unclear, but it's believed that the role is of a Jedi apprentice. As previously reported, Abrams will likely cast less-familiar actors as the leads, while getting recognizable stars for supporting parts. "Star Wars: Episode VII" is set to hit theaters on December 18th, 2015.

Director Jj Abrams praises costume drama as 'cleverly written and brilliantly cast' – and hopes to recruit its stars for new movie

Star Wars Episode 7 could turn out to be a truly classy affair. Director Jj Abrams recently visited the set of period drama Downton Abbey to scout for talent, reports the Mirror. It quotes actor Lesley Nichol, who plays cook Beryl Patmore, as saying: "Jj Abrams came to the set last year and he is just about to do the next Star Wars movie. He loves the show, and he checked a few of us to star in the film." And Abrams was effusive in his praise for Downton: "It's absolute soap opera – done triple-a plus. It's cleverly written and brilliantly cast. It lets you enjoy what is – at the core, a pulpy family drama, but done with such respect and regard for the characters, you feel they're all alive.

Five actors are rumoured to be in line for Star Wars Episode 7.

Disney and director Jj Abrams have narrowed down the casting of the film's Jedi Padawan hero, reports Variety.

Ed Speleers (Downton Abbey), John Boyega (Attack the Block), Jesse Plemons (Breaking Bad) and theatre actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher are reportedly being considered.

Details of the character - and the rest of the plot - remain sparse. The original draft was believed to focus on the children of Leia and Han Solo, but they are now said to have been shunted into a supporting role.

Girls star Adam Driver has been rumoured for the role of the film's villain.

Plemons had previously been mentioned in connection to the new Star Wars movie.

Other actors who have been linked to the film include Gary Oldman, Benedict Cumberbatch and Zac Efron.

Star Wars Episode 7 will begin shooting later in...

Star Wars: Episode VII has reportedly whittled down its list of leading man candidates to a clutch of young actors, including Attack The Block star, John Boyega. According to Variety, Boyega is on J.J. Abrams’ radar, along with Ed Speleers, Jesse Plemons and theatre actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher. Plot details remain frustratingly vague at this point, but the role in question is thought to be that of a Jedi apprentice. The force is strong with this one, etc. etc. Michael Arndt’s original draft was thought to have...

.

News Simon Brew 13 Mar 2014 - 06:19

Five names have found their way to the top of the potential casting list for Jj Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII...

It seems that progress is being made with the casting process for Jj Abrams' soon to go before the cameras Star Wars: Episode VII. Pre-production continues ahead of the film's Pinewood shoot, and last month, we learned that Adam Driver (of Girls fame) was signing up to play one of the key villains. Darth Adam, or something.

Variety has now named five actors it now believes are left in the running for one of the male lead roles in the new Star Wars film. One of them we already knew about, that being Breaking Bad's Jesse Plemons. He's still a strong possibility.

Now? You can add John Boyega (Attack The Block), Ed Speelers (Downton Abbey), Ray Fisher and Matthew James Thomas...

Five actors have reportedly risen to the top of J.J. Abrams' list for the role of the "lead Jedi apprentice" in the upcoming "Star Wars: Episode VII" at Disney and Lucasfilm.

According to Variety, the likes of Ed Speleers ("Eragon"), John Boyega ("Attack the Block"), Matthew James Thomas ("About a Boy"), Jesse Plemons ("Breaking Bad") and Broadway actor Ray Fisher are all battling for the coveted role.

The part is Not one of the Skywalker children, but is believed to have a storyline that runs through all three movies.

The source says while the five are at the top of the list at this moment, casting is still under way and the search continues so new names could potentially bump one or more of these off.

The report also says that while not confirmed, "Girls" star Adam Driver is a lock for the main villain who will face off...

With Girls star Adam Driver set to play the villain in J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars Episode VII, the hunt is now on for the heroic lead of the first instalment in the new trilogy. While exact details of the character are vague, it’s believed that the part is to be a Jedi apprentice. The original draft of the script focused on Han Solo and Princess Leia’s children, but they’ve now been put in supporting roles.

According to Variety, five names have now moved to the top of Disney’s list: Ed Speleers (Downton Abbey), John Boyega (Attack the Block), Jesse Plemons (Breaking Bad), and theatre actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher.

The search is still ongoing, but these are the favourites as of right now. The site goes on to add that sources have indicated that Abrams is keen on casting a non-Caucasian lead, hence why...

As we creep towards the time when J.J. Abrams will reluctantly have to reveal exactly who is appearing in Star Wars: Episode VII, the casting rumours and apparently leaked studio wish lists are continuing to taunt(aun) us. With Adam Driver in talks to be the villain, Variety reports that John Boyega, Ed Speleers, Matthew James Thomas, Ray Fisher and the previously talked up Jesse Plemons are high on the list to play one of the heroes.Naturally, neither Disney nor Abrams have gone on the record about the potential casting choices, so for now we urge you to keep the Star Wars Rumour Alert klaxon close to hand for now. Boyega, of course, is no stranger to aliens after Attack The Block, while Speleers has most recently been in Downton Abbey. Thomas has worked in TV and on the stage, and had a role in Billy Elliot. Fisher is more of an unknown.

According to Variety, Brit actor John Boyega (Attack the Block, Imperial Dreams) is one of five actors who is currently being considered for the lead role of a Jedi apprentice, in J.J. Abrams’ upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII, for Disney and Lucasfilm.While the article does state that the search for a lead is still going on, Boyega, along with Ed Speleers (Downton Abbey), Jesse Plemons, Matthew James Thomas, and Ray Fisher have “moved to the top of the list."In Boyega’s favor is the fact that, according to the article, director Abrams has been quoted as saying that he “wants to have a diversified cast” for the film.However, Disney and Lucasfilm execs and...

Justin Kroll reports that five men are fighting it out to play the lead role in the next "Star Wars" film. The role is projected to be a Jedi apprentice, and the actors in the running are rumored to be: John Boyega ("Attack the Block"), Jesse Plemons ("Breaking Bad"), and Ed Speleers ("Downton Abbey"), plus theater actors Ray Fisher and Matthew James Thomas. The seventh installment will be directed by J.J. Abrams ("Lost," "Star Trek") and is scheduled for production in late summer or early fall. "Girls" Emmy nominee Adam Driver is already in line to play the movie's villain. Variety. Tom Bergeron hosts the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies Tuesday night for the TV Academy. You can now watch speeches and tributes from the 23rd version of the semi-annual event. Inducted this year were the late sound pioneer Ray Dolby (intro by Chris Cookson), writer/producer David E. Kelley...

J.J. Abrams has been meeting with several young actors for Star Wars: Episode VII, and now Variety has revealed five actors currently in the running, and they are Downton Abbey actor Ed Speleers, Attack the Block star John Boyega, Friday Night Lights star Jesse Plemons, and theater actors Matthew James Thomas, and Ray Fisher.

Apparently the search is still on so anything can still change at this point. These actors are currently on the top of the list. There are no details on who the character is, but there's speculation that it's for a Jedi apprentice. I'm still rooting for Plemons.

The report also says that 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.

Hot off the Star Presses!

Newest word from the galaxy far far away is that the short list for the male lead in Jj Abrams’ Star Wars Episode VII has gotten even shorter.

Variety reports that the list of male leads to go against villain Adam Driver (Girls) has narrowed to Ed Speleers (Downton Abbey), John Boyega (Attack The Block), Jesse Plemons (Friday Night Lights) and theater actors Matthew James Thomas (Pippen), and Ray Fisher. With the exception of John Boyega and Ray Fischer who have different skin tones than we’d expect, the other actors could rum the gamut as far as male Jedi leads go.

Latino Review is happy to report that when Matthew James Thomas began the audition process last October, he was up for the role of Luke Skywalker’s son. Although Variety doesn’t want to comment on the part that’s actually under debate,...

It seems studio shortlists are all the rage as of late as I have one more for you, this time regarding J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII. So far the cast seems to include Adam Driver ("Girls") as some sort of villain and original trilogy stars -- Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher -- are also said to be involved, but outside of that, casting details are slim. Today's shortlist sheds a little light on where things may be headed, however, as Variety reports the following names are up for some sort of lead Jedi apprentice role. The most recognizable names include Ed Speleers (Eragon, "Downton Abbey"), John Boyega (Attack the Block) and Jesse Plemons ("Breaking Bad"). Joining them on the list is a pair of theater actors, Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher. Variety's report makes sure to note this isn't a list of finalists as "the...

A handful of names have emerged as the latest leading candidates for J.J. Abrams. Star Wars: Episode VII, and they would be actors contending for the movie.s lead role, though this character would be surrounded by familiar Star Wars names, like Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill. Variety has the latest round of casting rumors, repeating the name of Breaking Bad co-star Jesse Plemons (who has been rumored for a while now), but adding several more intriguing names. Attack the Block star John Boyega, Downton Abbey co-star Ed Speleers, and theater actors Matthew James Thomas, and Ray Fisher are the latest names to be suggested by sources close to the production as the leading candidates for the lead part in Abrams. sequel. As expected, Variety says that Disney "had no comment." While none of those names may not move the proverbial needle, there are several other details in the ...

They have the dark side (Adam Driver), but who will represent the light? Variety reports Jesse Plemons, Downton Abbey's Ed Speleers, Attack the Block star John Boyega, and theater actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher are the men in the running to lead Star Wars: Episode VII. According to Variety, part of the reason it's taking so long is that executives are debating whether they want a non-white lead, after Abrams has said he wanted a diverse cast. The role would be of a young Jedi apprentice, not Han and Leia's kid, who is a supporting character in the new script. Regardless the intention is to cast a relative unknown. The search is ongoing, however, so, who knows, it can be Andrew Garfield by this time next week.

We already have "Girls" star Adam Driver lined up to play a villain in the developing Star Wars: Episode VII which will be going in front of cameras very soon. Now it's time to find out who will be taking the lead hero role in the sci-fi saga continuance from director J.J. Abrams. Countless actors have been testing for roles, so much that we've heard agencies are getting frustrated that the production hasn't made a decision yet. But now Variety says that the choices for the lead role have been narrowed down to just five names: Ed Speleers, John Boyega, Jesse Plemons, Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher. More below! Speleers (right above) has been starring in "Downton Abbey" while Boyega (left above) found his breakthrough role in the indie sci-fi flick Attack the Block. Meanwhile, Plemons was already revealed to have met with Abrams, and it looks like the...

We’ve got Adam Driver as the villain, but who will be the Jedi to take him on in “Star Wars: Episode VII”? Variety reports it just may be one of these five relatively unknown young actors: Ed Speleers, John Boyega, Jesse Plemons, Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher. The trade doesn’t specify the character the five men are up for, but does call it “the lead role.” Plemons is the name we’ve heard before in connection with this specific part, and it appears he hasn’t quite locked it down yet, but is still very much in contention. He’s most well [...]

The post John Boyega, Jesse Plemons and More Battling for ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ Lead appeared first on Up and Comers.

It's been a little while since we've heard much of anything interesting on the Star Wars Episode VII side of things, but with filming set to start in a couple months, things should be heating up nicely.  Today a report has come in that five young actors are currently on the shortlist and testing for the part of a Jedi Apprentice in the new film (and more than likely, whole trilogy).  Come inside to find out who they are!

Late last month came the news/rumor that Adam Driver had been set to play the primary villain in Episode VII, which means now it's time to find out who's going to be taking him on (aside from any of the original characters).  Variety is reporting that five young actors are vying for the top spot, which is only being described as "Jedi Apprentice" so far.  And they are: 

Ed Speleers...

Variety has learned that Jj Abrams is looking at the following five actors for the lead role in Star Wars: Episode 7: Ed Speleers of Downton Abbey John Boyega of Attack the Block Jesse Plemons of Friday Night Lights and Breaking Bad Matthew James Thomas, theater actor who appeared in Billy Elliot and About A […]

The post Star Wars 7: Five Actors Up For Lead Jedi Apprentice Role appeared first on /Film.

Here's what we know so far: "Girls" star Adam Driver will be playing the villain in "Star Wars: Episode 7," while Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher are widely expected to return in one way or another. Any other details are on lock down for the moment, but a few more names have dripped out as possibilities for what Variety is calling "the right Jedi to challenge Driver and the evil empire." According to the trade John Boyega ("Attack The Block"), Ed Speelers (aka Jimmy Kent from "Downton Abbey"), theatre dudes Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher, and the already-rumored "Breaking Bad" and "Friday Night Lights" star Jesse Plemons are in the mix to join the movie in an unspecified lead role. So what makes this round up of names different? Apparently, they "have moved to the top of the list in recent weeks" though the net is still wide open,...

Star Wars Episode VII director Jj Abrams is reportedly looking at five actors for the lead role in the 2015 blockbuster. They are: Downton Abbey's Ed Speelers, Attack the Block star John Boyega, Jesse Plemons, theater actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher. Not much is known about the role right now but it is believed to be the film's main protagonist and a Jedi. The director is open to a diverse cast, with both David Oyewolo and Michael B. Jordan having done screen tests in early production. Abrams is expected to give the lead role larger actors in support, like Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford. What do you think? Which of the actors should be the next Jedi to grace the silver screen? Sign off your opinion on the options below! More from me: @DEVLIN712...