Open casting auditions held in UK for new 'Star Wars' film

The BBC reports that open auditions are being planned for two lead roles in the next Star Wars film.

13:58 06 November 2013

Aspiring actors and actresses in Britain who dream about making it to Hollywood will now have a chance to audition for a role in new Star Wars film.

A twitter account @UKopencall published the information announcing open audition for a “major Hollywood Movie. It added that the audition was a “nationwide search for lead roles for a Disney movie.”

Based on reports, film-makers are looking to fill two roles. They are a "street smart and strong" orphaned girl in her late teens and a "smart capable" man in his late teens or early 20s.

Lucasfilm, which was bought by Disney in October 2012, declined to comment but it is likely that the characters were given non sci-fi names and descriptions in the announcement in an effort to disguise the auditions are for Star Wars: Episode VII.

As yet, no cast members have been confirmed but it is believed that Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill will be making an appearance in their original parts of Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker.

Star Wars: Episode VII is scheduled to begin shooting at Pinewood Studios in spring 2014, for an expected 2015 release. It marks the first film in a new trilogy as well as a launching pad for more standalone additions to the multi-billion dollar sci-fi film franchise.