UPDATE! Unknown Oxford Actress Rumored for a Role in Star Wars: Episode 7.

star wars

In the last few days we heard that people are still auditioning for the male lead in the US. Now another report suggests that auditions are also taking place in the UK for the role of the young black or mixed-race woman…

Pretty strong week for THR, most of the latest scoops came from them. Here’s their latest one:

The production is meeting with actors in London as it tries to find its cast before shooting begins in May.

Could an Oxford-educated actress with no movie credits to her name land a key role in Star Wars: Episode VII?

Speculation is swirling like the mists of Dagobah around newcomer Maisie Richardson-Sellers. Several sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that she is in line to nab an undisclosed and possibly major role in the high-profile Disney/Lucasfilm production, which is in the middle of an extended casting search in London in advance of a May production start date.

star wars

One of the roles yet to be filled is that of a young black or mixed-race woman who may be a descendent of Jedi Knight Ben Kenobi. In the film, which takes place 30 years after the events of 1983’s Star Wars: Episode IV: Return of the Jedi, the character would cross paths with the children of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia.

Star Wars filmmaker J.J. Abrams and his casting directors have seen hundreds of actors for the coveted lead roles. The operation is taking place under a cloak of secrecy, with actors and their representatives sworn to secrecy. At the same time, certain representatives have taken to quietly promoting around Hollywood their clients’ involvement in the casting process, given the extreme level of interest in the project and the belief that the actors who land lead roles will become instant global stars. 

star wars

As such, all casting speculation must be taken with a grain of salt, and two sources say Richardson-Sellers has not been offered a role.

UPDATE!

More from Deadline:

We hear it’s not a lead, but the producers have their eye on Maisie Richardson-Sellers, an Oxford-trained actress whose credits seem to range from local stage plays to, well, more local stage plays. With the scarcity of real Star Wars: Episode VII casting news, any hints from the London set have fans and media making the jump to light speed. 

Website | + posts

Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.

Born on April 24, 1980.

Val Trichkov (Viral Hide)

Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.Born on April 24, 1980.

86 thoughts on “UPDATE! Unknown Oxford Actress Rumored for a Role in Star Wars: Episode 7.

  • April 10, 2014 at 6:43 am
    Permalink

    This may be stretching it a bit… but I looked at pictures of a young Alec Guinness and this actress does have the jaw structure as well as the heavy lidded eyes of a young Alec Guinness.

    • April 10, 2014 at 7:40 am
      Permalink

      Maybe her traits are more like her mother?

    • April 10, 2014 at 2:48 pm
      Permalink

      P-Lease. She looks like Alec Guinness? I think some of the biggest buffoons on the internet post here. Every comment is about Mara Jade, or Ben Skywalker. I don’t believe this role will have any ties to Obi-Wan, the fact you think they look alike makes me want to puke. You people beLIEve anything.

    • April 10, 2014 at 3:26 pm
      Permalink

      Actually, the biggest buffoons here are the Original Trilogy fanatics who insist every little thing in episodes 4-6 are brought back in 7 for the sake of keeping your childhood memories alive, regardless if they make sense in the overall story arc.

    • April 10, 2014 at 3:43 pm
      Permalink

      I’m not seeing it. Alec Guiness had a big ol’ chin but focusing on actors looking like other actors is a weak basis for casting. Honestly though, I support hot actresses with British accents so show me more.

    • April 10, 2014 at 6:02 pm
      Permalink

      Ewan McGregor was chosen because he had a resemblance to Alec Guiness. Star Wars movies take thought and preparation.

    • April 10, 2014 at 6:27 pm
      Permalink

      That’s true was was posted about these OT fanatics. Nothing is good unless it was done in the 70’s or 80’s. She looks like Alec Guiness? He was WHITE.

    • April 11, 2014 at 7:54 am
      Permalink

      The biggest idiots are the EU fans period.

    • April 11, 2014 at 12:36 pm
      Permalink

      Anonymous April 10, 2014 at 4:26 PM. I’m an OT fan, ever since the age of 5. I have never insisted that “every little thing in episodes 4-6 are brought back in 7 for the sake of keeping your childhood memories alive”. That’s absurd to me. I want too see new stories, new characters, new planets. The only things I want to see from the OT are Luke, Han and the rest of the crew. Do you want to know why? Because the story is a continuation from Episode VI. I want to see what’s happened since then. I don’t want a rehash of movies I’ve seen hundreds of times before.

    • April 13, 2014 at 4:36 am
      Permalink

      Yeah Fettman you tell um! And no Boba Fett either!

  • April 10, 2014 at 7:27 am
    Permalink

    She will be Satine Kenobi, grand-daughter of Obi-Wan and Duchess Satine, and the new Mandalore 🙂

    • April 10, 2014 at 8:06 am
      Permalink

      Forgive me a moment…. But both Obi-Wan and the Duchess were white…. ?

    • April 10, 2014 at 8:11 am
      Permalink

      They are grand-parents, NOT parents…

    • April 10, 2014 at 8:14 am
      Permalink

      That’s right! Barack Obama’s grand-father and grand-mother (on its mother side) were both white

    • April 10, 2014 at 2:40 pm
      Permalink

      Really? You see this girl and think of Ben Kenobi? How do you guys not see the reseblence between this beautiful actress and the legendary Billy Dee Williams? I really hope they don’t introduce her as Obi-Wan’s grand daughter. It’d be even worse than giving Luke offspring. I didn’t see Obi-Wan ever involved in a romantic relationship of any kind. It was never implied so why would they introduce it now? The continuity of the story would be skewed beyong belief. It’d be so much smoother and comfortable for the audience if this girl played the daughter of Lando. Much better for the story too, if you ask me.

    • April 10, 2014 at 3:51 pm
      Permalink

      well Joe if Sabine is obi and Satines offspring and Lando is rumored to have a part in Rebels. You can then have a romance between Sabine and Lando and maybe an offspring that is bought Landos Daughter and Obis granddaughter.

      (well that’s just madness.)

    • April 10, 2014 at 3:52 pm
      Permalink

      It was pretty explicit when Obi Wan told Satine that all she had to do was, “say the word,” and he would’ve left the order to be with her. Granted, he was the prototypical-good-soldier jedi…alternatively, what else do you do for 19 years on Tatooine?

    • April 10, 2014 at 4:24 pm
      Permalink

      “what else do you do for 19 years on Tatooine?”
      Ben Kenobi fled to tatooine because he had to. He wanted to ensure Lukes safety since he was the galaxy’s last hope and he feared for his own life.
      “It was pretty explicit when Obi Wan told Satine that all she had to do was, “say the word,” and he would’ve left the order to be with her”
      Just another reason why I cant stand TCW. That series botched up the continuity 10x worse than the PT, but you’re right. It’s not really for me to decide. In the eyes of Disney the animated series are just as canon as the films no matter how much of a disgrace I believe that to be.

    • April 10, 2014 at 6:28 pm
      Permalink

      Is Satine one of those lame EU characters that WON’T be in the films? It sounds lame regardless.

    • April 10, 2014 at 6:31 pm
      Permalink

      She’s the Duchess of Mandalore in the Clone Wars series…

    • April 10, 2014 at 7:04 pm
      Permalink

      WTF seriously WHY!!!! why would he tell her that it’s not like he is Anakin Skywalker or anything

    • April 10, 2014 at 7:14 pm
      Permalink

      Obi-Wan discourages Anakins affection for Padme in episodes II and III. Why would be allow himself to fall in love, especially during a time of severe civil unrest like the Clone Wars? It doesn’t seem very Jedi-like.

    • April 13, 2014 at 4:55 am
      Permalink

      Because Lucas let the creativity of Star Wars go on like a bad run-on sentence. Please JJ and Kasden …your our only hope!

  • April 10, 2014 at 7:54 am
    Permalink

    Naughty Obi wan

    • April 10, 2014 at 6:29 pm
      Permalink

      Myself, my Black Mistress, two cans of Lube and no questions asked.

    • April 12, 2014 at 5:49 am
      Permalink

      Lube Skywalker 😀

  • April 10, 2014 at 7:57 am
    Permalink

    They are still doing casting?! If we are talking about Jedi roles, aren’t the actors supposed to have some lightsaber combat training (even months) before shooting? Maybe this is all done to mislead us. Our throughs are clouded by the dark side :).

    • April 10, 2014 at 12:13 pm
      Permalink

      I like it. At least they are not choosing anyone…It’s a hard work to find really good actors. I think think they are doing things well.

    • April 10, 2014 at 7:41 pm
      Permalink

      I agree Duke. The main actors have certanly been cast. I think they let some information about this minor roles out, just to tease as a bit. And it works! 😀

    • April 10, 2014 at 12:36 pm
      Permalink

      She is the best pick so far, hope she gets it!

  • April 10, 2014 at 8:04 am
    Permalink

    I can’t wait to see the full cast. it will be funny to see what wasn’t a rumor at all.
    Like the old casting of Han Solo.

    But I still hope that Tilda Swindon has a part and that she will be a villan. Maybe an old asajj ventress

    • April 12, 2014 at 5:58 am
      Permalink

      i hope she is not in ep.7, i kind of liked her in the first Narnia movie, but she ruined the two ones coming after, they forced her character in even though it was not in the books, but who knows? Maybe she can redeem herself in my eyes if she is in ep.7 & does an awesome job

    • April 10, 2014 at 8:13 am
      Permalink

      @Duke Okay…umm…and why not? We don’t know anything about the film besides rumors, nor do we know how talented this young lady is. Being baseless and cryptic doesn’t help your comment.

    • April 10, 2014 at 8:29 am
      Permalink

      I don’t need anything to “help” my comment, and what i said is to be left to interpretation.

    • April 10, 2014 at 8:43 am
      Permalink

      ^ Thanks for your input. Very insightful. Please come again.

    • April 12, 2014 at 5:56 am
      Permalink

      i hope she is not in ep.7, i kind of liked her in the first Narnia movie, but she ruined the two ones coming after, they forced her character in even though it was not in the books, but who knows? Maybe she can redeem herself in my eyes if she is in ep.7 & does an awesome job

    • April 10, 2014 at 11:59 am
      Permalink

      That was my first thought too! (And I can sure think of worse young ladies to look like.) ;^)

  • April 10, 2014 at 9:37 am
    Permalink

    Shooting starts in 5 weeks… cant wait to see who the cast is!

    • April 10, 2014 at 9:54 pm
      Permalink

      they probably won’t tell us.

  • April 10, 2014 at 11:25 am
    Permalink

    Lovely girl, anyway. I wouldn’t mind her in the movie. Heck, maybe we are looking at the lovechild of Lando Calrissian …

  • April 10, 2014 at 11:42 am
    Permalink

    As for a mixed-race actress I’m all for it.
    As for a daughter/granddaughter of Kenobi it’s the dumbest idea in the history of dumb ideas. It would totally destroy SW as we know it and ruin the grand saga in one fell swoop by opening up a plot hole to rival the black hole at the center of our galaxy — IF Kenobi had offspring why didn’t he just train them to be Jedi when they were kids to team up with Luke to rebuild the Jedi Order and defeat the Empire??? IT makes zero sense!!!

    Just in case someone says, “Oh he knocked-up someone and didn’t know he had a daughter.” BS sound familiar??? So Obi-Wan and Anakin both didn’t know they had Jedi kids???? How convenient. Not to mention it destroys Kenobi’s character completely.

    Most likely this character is a Calrissien.

    Unfortunately there will be planty of people supporting this lame-brain idea.

    • April 10, 2014 at 12:10 pm
      Permalink

      I agree, an Obi-Wan daughter would be a lame idea. Maybe it wouldn’t destroy SW as you said, but it would raise too many questions about the OT, especially how could Obi-Wan not know about his daughter, why did he refuse the Jedi “no attachment” rule and why did he decide to go out from his hiding and start flirting with girls on the sands of Tatooine (that in particular evokes creepy and unwanted images in my mind)…

  • April 10, 2014 at 12:02 pm
    Permalink

    I like her. She could also be the lead, for me. Some months ago there were rumours of a girl as the lead, and also rumours of a black lead. I wouldn’t mind some change in the new generation, the stereotypical arian blonde guy is getting a little boring.

    • April 10, 2014 at 12:48 pm
      Permalink

      I agree, I hope this Star Wars is so absolutely new, not typical. I hope it is just like the first movie called Star Wars. It needs to go in a direction not any of us would have expected.

    • April 10, 2014 at 1:03 pm
      Permalink

      i agree. please god don’t give us any of that derivative EU junk. those stories are about as original and creative as a Disney direct-to-video sequel

  • April 10, 2014 at 1:16 pm
    Permalink

    for episode VII they should just use that EU story where Hans son is taken prisoner by Boba fetts daughter and sold to Jaba the huts niece and than he is rescued by Luke’s son, Chewies younger brother, Lando’s grand-daughter and r2d2 /c3po 2.0

    • April 10, 2014 at 1:27 pm
      Permalink

      I`d fully support Maisie`s casting,even as one of the 3 leads – she looks a pretty girl…does anyone else think her character could tie in with the rumoured Tatooine part of the film;if she`s related to Obi-Wan then Tatooine could be her likeliest abode…Andrew.

    • April 10, 2014 at 2:23 pm
      Permalink

      LMAO. I peep your sarcasm.

      That’s really what EU fans are asking for. A rip off of the OT. Luckily, I think Abrams is smart enough to remember: Never give the fans what they THINK they want…

    • April 10, 2014 at 3:32 pm
      Permalink

      “never give fans what they think they want.”

      Soooo…. JJ Abrams gives us Lawrence Kasten, old-fashioned cameras, real backgrounds and so-called practical effects. He’s probably going to give us the Big 3, R2D2, the OT’s “original spirit,” and probably the ghost of yoda. I’m sorry, but that sounds to me like he’s giving fans “what he thinks they want,” and fans are going to get it because you OT fanatics are so demanding.

  • April 10, 2014 at 2:10 pm
    Permalink

    Obi-wans daughter?… seriously? this film is set 35 years after Jedi so the daughter would need to be at least 38 as obi-wan died 38 years ago in the timeline, plus obi-wan surely couldn’t have been bumping any lady friends for another 20 years before that. so that would make his daughter 58… So then to have a younger daughter, that would mean that obi-wans daughter had a daughter??? So then it’s not actually the child of obi-wan? So then what’s the point? How does a childs grandad being obi-wan make the film any better apart from mind-fuck the audience?? It’s so dumb it’s melting my brain.. The only descendants to the original characters should be of Han, Leia and Luke. Having anymore children plotlines will be completely stupid.

    • April 10, 2014 at 6:47 pm
      Permalink

      Agree w/everything, except for the Luke having a son part.

      Lucas never intended for that, not to mention that having the OT’s main character romance played out offscreen would be as stupid as this Obi-Wan daughter/grand daughter BS.

      The only characters that should have children in the ST are Han and Leia, period. Give Luke a Padawan (that he cares for like a son or daughter), make them human, alien, white, black or multi-colored for all I care, and THAT would make sense.

  • April 10, 2014 at 2:35 pm
    Permalink

    I’d love a female lead but I highly doubt they will do it. Instead they will do what’s done a million times before, and cast a mixed race actor in an important role, and everyone pretends it’s a really brave thing to do. They do need to be careful when it comes to mixed race characters. Anything that takes you out of the film in regards to the lead character is pretty bad, secondary characters and sideckicks are fine. But then again I thought the main trio would be the kids of Han Leia and the lead being Luke’s kid, so logically they actually can’t hire a black lead as they were white families. I hope they’re not shifting what’s best for the plot to compensate for a black lead, when that’s not remotely impressive anyway unlike making the lead gay or female lead or something.

    • April 10, 2014 at 4:12 pm
      Permalink

      What if they changed Mara Jade’s race? She wasn’t in any of the movies, so that’s a possibility. Whether they choose a Caucasian, Black, Mixed or whatever lead, I’m confident the actor or actress will be well suited for the role.

  • April 10, 2014 at 2:56 pm
    Permalink

    Maybe a Sith, Darth Talon? Or a padawan, even a member of the New Jedi Council

    • April 10, 2014 at 6:31 pm
      Permalink

      yes, Darth Talon, seeing as EU characters are going to be in the films. READ READ and Re-READ those articles. , please.

  • April 10, 2014 at 4:06 pm
    Permalink

    To whoever said this amazingly beautiful young woman resembles Alec Guiness…..WTF are you smoking???

  • April 10, 2014 at 4:31 pm
    Permalink

    The whole idea of them casting anyone to play obi’s daughter is ridiculous. Episode 4 was 19 yrs after episode 3. If kenobi had a daughter son or whatever they wouldn’t be much younger than Luke. And considering mark hammil is what 70’s. Why would they be looking at actors in their early 20’s?? Episode 7 is going to be a complete mess

    • April 10, 2014 at 6:35 pm
      Permalink

      Grand-daughter, not daughter. But I don’t like that idea either.

  • April 10, 2014 at 4:58 pm
    Permalink

    You people really suck….. I’m an artist. If I was to draw you, it would look like you, not a stick figure. Which means I’ve studied anatomy and know a thing about facial structure. I’m not smoking crack. Or weed! It’s possible for a girl to have the facial features of her father….It’s an observation, nothing more. Are most of you 12 years old? Think before you post on here you morons.

    • April 10, 2014 at 6:32 pm
      Permalink

      I’m on weed and i think most of these fan boys are morons as well.

    • April 10, 2014 at 6:32 pm
      Permalink

      You wanna buy some death sticks?

    • April 10, 2014 at 6:36 pm
      Permalink

      You don’t want to sell me death sticks. You want to go home and rethink your life.

  • April 10, 2014 at 6:51 pm
    Permalink

    So sad to see people’s complete and utter lack of imagination these days, especially folk who are supposed to have been inspired by the creation of one of our time’s most creative minds.

    Now, why does a black/interracial character have to be necessarily blood-related to any of the PT or OT characters?

    Why does Luke have to have offspring? Only because some EU author decided that he and the Jade woman should have a kid named Ben?

    Couldn’t this girl (if she’s in the film, indeed) be a Jedi apprentice, raised and trained by Luke, just as if she were his own daughter?

    Try to think for yourselves and use your own imaginations for once, people. Not only will you like it, but you’ll start to make sense of a lot of things and find the humor in far-fetched, absurd rumors.

    • April 10, 2014 at 11:34 pm
      Permalink

      No it doesn’t make sense what would be the point of making an episode 7 if it’s not about the Skywalker bloodline? Defeats the purpose of calling it episode 7

    • April 11, 2014 at 3:14 am
      Permalink

      Which is exactly why Anakin had twins. Leia could’ve easily had a kid or 2 with Han, thus keeping the Skywalker line going, while Luke followed the lonely, detached path of the Jedi. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this is exactly the way things are headed at the end of RotJ.

      Then again, since the ways of the Jedi are based mostly on Eastern spiritual philosophies ( Buddhism, especially), one needs to have a basic understanding on how all that stuff works in order to see what the whole point of the Force, detachment, etc. truly is all about.

  • April 10, 2014 at 7:48 pm
    Permalink

    I knew it. As much as we like to assume Han went soft and settled down, its simply not his style. Leia ended up with Lando instead (who had stability and ties to the new republic) after Han goes rogue again. It’s also a bold decision on Disney’s / Lucasfilm’s behalf and I applaud them for it. Also, it’s very progressive, which aligns nicely with our own reality. It all makes sense now.

    • April 10, 2014 at 8:28 pm
      Permalink

      Setting up a brilliant relationship between Han and Leia, to then crush it and shove Leia with Lando, who Leia never even liked… would not be ‘bold’ or ‘brave’ it would be stupid.

    • April 11, 2014 at 5:30 am
      Permalink

      While I don’t think Leah and Lando have chemistry, I do think Han and Leah should be separated by the time of episode 7 (like a more extreme version of how they avoid each other at the start of Empire).The harmony of their post-carbonate ROTJ relationship was dramatic dead space. To create a compelling story you have to be willing to be “unkind” to your characters.

    • April 11, 2014 at 8:21 am
      Permalink

      Well, Indy spent a lot of time setting up a brilliant relationship with Marion (they even had a backstory) but Dr. Jones went on his separate way without her.

  • April 10, 2014 at 9:51 pm
    Permalink

    She is a very beautiful young woman with a “strong” look to her. She sorta reminds me of Michelle Rodriguez’ character in Avatar, from looking at the first picture.

  • April 11, 2014 at 8:54 am
    Permalink

    mace windus grand daughter would make more sense

  • April 11, 2014 at 5:56 pm
    Permalink

    Star Wars Episode 7 “The African Invasion”

    • April 13, 2014 at 4:42 am
      Permalink

      Hey Viral is this not insulting? You dig this? I sure don’t!
      You ban comments in all caps but for belligerent racist comments are OK?

  • April 12, 2014 at 5:25 pm
    Permalink

    And she’s not ‘black or mixed-race’, She’s British. Those other labels are American labels stemming from an unfortunate past.

Comments are closed.

LATEST POSTS ON MOVIE NEWS NET