We still don’t have a clear idea of what to expect from Gareth Edwards 2016 standalone STAR WARS story (DIRTY DOZEN with bounty hunters? Boba Fett and the Fett Five? A side story with new characters from EPISODE VII?), but now we’re starting to hear who might be in it.
THEORY OF EVERYTHING/AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 actress Felicity Jones is the frontrunner for the female lead, apparently outlasting fellow competitors Tatiana Maslany and Rooney Mara. Again, no idea who she’s playing, or whether she’ll actually sign the dotted line, but it certainly gives us a clear idea of what type they’re looking for for their female lead.
As for the male lead, they’re apparently looking at Edgar Ramirez and Aaron Paul, with Paul as the dream pick.
It’s hard to speculate on who they want Jones and Paul to play, given the level of secrecy on this thing, but both impressed in small-to-medium-sized projects before moving onto shorter (and arguably worthless) roles in super high-profile flicks (ASM 2, EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS). Jones caught my eye in Drake Doremus’ BREATHE IN, where she brought a great maturity and complexity to her LOLITA-ish role. She can emote the strength and vulnerability required for a part like this, and I’m sure she can handle a blaster/lightsaber at least as well as Carrie Fisher.
As for Paul, I’d love if this was finally his break away from the Jesse Pinkman stereotype. It wouldn’t be his first public performance in the STAR WARS-verse: he recently killed it at an EMPIRE STRIKES BACK live-read, where he injected the part of Luke Skywalker with way more angst and inner turmoil than we normally associate with the character, but which was perfectly appropriate. He gave it his all that night, which makes me think he appreciates the potential for high drama in these things, and won’t turn in one of the mannequin-like performances some have come to associate with the property.
But those who have seen CARLOS assure me that Ramirez is no slouch, so I’m sure he’d do just fine as well. Plus, he had to have something to earn the role of Bodhi in the upcoming POINT BREAK remake.
There’s a slight chance they’ll hold off as long as possible (perhaps even THE FORCE AWAKENS release date) to reveal exactly what we should expect from the first non-episodic live-action STAR WARS feature, but we should learn more about the cast in the weeks, maybe months to come. Stay tuned.
STAR WARS: MEET THE FETTS (or whatever) flies into our galaxy on December 16th, 2016.
