Star Wars: Episode VII Got Militarised

It’s been widely reported that J.J. Abrams and the production team behind Star Wars: Episode VII have been on the hunt for two young actors to play leads in the film: one a tough late-teenage girl and the other a fun, charismatic early 2os boy.

The Hollywood Reporter has a beat on yet another part the movie is looking to cast. Within an article about a number of major blockbusters currently in the casting stage, the trade has noted that Star Wars is now looking for “a 40-something military man a la Matt Damon in Elysium.”

Abrams, meanwhile, today gives Total Film a brief update on the film’s pre-production and expresses his delight at working alongside screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan.

“Working with Larry has been one of the most surreal joys of my life,” he says. “We’ve had a lot of fun working together. He’s an incredible guy and an inspiring and spectacular writer.”

The new film will be directed by Abrams and is being scripted by Abrams and Kasdan, who previously wrote the franchise’s “Episode V,” The Empire Strikes Back. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, with Tommy Harper and Jason McGatlin serving as executive producers.

Release Date December 18, 2015.