Disney and Lucasfilm have done a pretty good job of casting a lot of new faces in Star Wars: Episode VII, from the total unknowns like Daisy Ridley and Maisie Richardson-Sellers, to young actors like John Boyega and Domhnall Gleeson. Two more newcomers will be getting their big break in the film just as production is being altered to deal with Harrison Ford's injury.
According to The Wrap and StarWars.com, Pip Anderson and U.K. actress Crystal Clarke have joined the cast, having beaten out an open casting call of over 67000 to earn the coveted spots. Anderson is an American actor with a knowledge of parkour, the free-running style seen in District B13 and the recent remake, Brick Mansions. Sounds like a potential Jedi or Sith Lord similar to Ray Park's performance as Darth Maul. Clarke has mostly done stage work but is set to make her feature film debut alongside Benjamin Walker in The Moon and the Sun. Here's what Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy had to say about brining Anderson and Clarke on board...
Kennedy: “The Star Wars universe has always been about discovering and nurturing young talent and in casting Episode VII we wanted to remain absolutely faithful to this tradition. We are delighted that so many travelled to see us at the open casting calls and that we have been able to make Crystal and Pip a part of the film."
With Harrison Ford laid up for months it was expected that production would be disturbed in some way, and while J.J. Abrams isn't going to get the release date pushed back like he wanted, filming is going to take a brief hiatus next month. Here's Lucasfilm's statement on the matter which includes a reiteration of the December 2015 date....
In August, the team will take a brief two-week hiatus while adjustments to the current production schedule are made as actor Harrison Ford recovers from a leg injury. Harrison is doing well and is looking forward to returning to the set soon. Shooting remains on track to wrap in the fall with the film scheduled for release on December 18, 2015.
