Overview
Blog-scanning, pub-debating Star Wars fans, put your minds and your theories to rest. Star Wars VII captain J.J. Abrams has at last lifted the lid on who’ll be appearing in the hotly anticipated episode seven. Casting announcements have dribbled out over the last few months, confirming a half-dozen irreplaceable veterans are back on board — namely Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) and Kenny Baker (R2-D2).
Along with our long-time favourites, the final casting announcement revealed a plethora of unknowns. So we thought we'd get acquainted with the seven newbies. Their roles and midi-chlorian counts are yet to be revealed, so you can continue your pub arguments for a while yet.
ADAM DRIVER
You might know him best as Girls' Adam Sackler. But, just lately, we've seen Driver tackle the Australian desert alongside Mia Wasikowska in Tracks and cheese his way through a novelty song with Justin Timberlake in Inside Llewyn Davis. What's more, Star Wars isn't the only major announcement he's been part of during the past few months. You can also expect to catch him in upcoming films Midnight Special (Jeff Nichols) and Silence (Martin Scorsese).
OSCAR ISAAC
Oscar Isaac hits Star Wars hot on the heels of his wide-eyed, multi-award winning appearance as hapless singer-songwriter Llewyn Davis. He's also in the credits for five films currently in post-production: In Secret, Ex-Machina, The Two Faces of January, Mojave and A Most Violent Year.
MAX VON SYDOW
85-year-old Swedish-turned-French legend Max Von Sydow has been appearing on the big screen since 1949. Most recently, he scored a bunch of nominations, including one for his second Academy Award — for his role as The Renter in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
ANDY SERKIS
You might not recognise him from the above mug shot, but Andy Serkis is most likely one of your noughties heroes. Through a combo of motion picture capture acting, voice and animation, he played Gollum in Peter Jackon's Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-3) and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012). He brought similar magic to the lead role in King Kong (2005), Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) and Captain Haddock in The Adventures of Tintin (2011).
DOMHNALL GLEESON
Hogwarts students are most likely to be familiar with this striking Irish face. Domhnall Gleeson played Bill Weasley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Parts I and II (2010 and 2011). Right now, he's on set for upcoming romantic comedy Brooklyn, an adaptation of the Nick Hornby novel.
JOHN BOYEGA
In 2012, at the age of 20, Boyega shared a set with Oscar nominee Chiwete Ejiofor in Half of a Yellow Sun (Nigeria/UK 2013). Sci-fi fans knew him before that, though, for his take on Moses in Attack the Block.
DAISY RIDLEY
And last, but not least (though certainly least-known) is Daisy Ridley. She's appeared in a handful of TV series, including Casualty, Mr Selfridge and Silent Witness, and played the lead in BAFTA-nominated interactive film, Lifesaver. She's now trending like wildfire.