Star Wars Episode VII official cast announced

Let the rumour mill finally grind to a halt: the cast of Star Wars Episode VII has officially been announced.

Previously-suggested names like Adam Driver (Girls), John Boyega (Attack the Block) and Domhnall Gleeson (About Time) were all revealed to have joined the team, as did Driver’s Inside Llewyn Davis co-star Oscar Isaac, motion-capture legend Andy Serkis, regular legend Max von Sydow, and newcomer Daisy Ridley.

All except von Sydow were pictured attending a table read with director J.J. Abrams, screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, producers Bryan Burk and Kathleen Kennedy, as well as original trilogy stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, and Peter Mayhew. (Kenny Baker, unpictured, is also returning as R2-D2, though it seems particularly unfair to put the 79-year-old back in that slow-cooker.)

Though roles for the newcomers are yet to be confirmed, Driver is expected to play a villain, while Daisy Ridley – at least considering her placement in the photo – looks like she might be the daughter of Han and Leia.

The Hollywood Reporter says there is at least one more key female part to be cast, believed to be the granddaughter of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o was previously suggested for the role.

Thus (mostly) ends the epic Star Wars casting chatter… and so begins the epic Star Wars potential plot chatter.

Seriously, this will never end.

Star Wars Episode VII hits cinemas December 2015.