Star Wars VII, the first film in the third installment of the Sci-fi phenomenon began filming in the UK earlier this year, and while cameras have already started rolling, with secrecy enshrouding the set and storyline for this and the VIII & IX movies, the Star Wars rumour mill is going into overdrive.
After months of rumours, who's in and who's out is pretty difficult to gauge. So for all you Star Wars fans we've got the ultimate run down of who to expect will be whipping out a light sabre or two.
Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher
Let's start with who is returning, and it's good news for Star Wars fans as we will get to see what Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Leia have been up to all these years, as the three original stars have all been confirmed for the movie. Ford, Hamill and Fisher were all at a run through with cast members and production staff in the UK in April, and have already started filming. According to Screenrant.com, Hamill and Fisher were on a strict Star Wars health kick for the last six months, to get themselves ready for the hectic shoot.
These familiar faces will be back (WENN)
It's not all gone to plan though, Harrison Ford aka Han Solo, broke his leg while filming scenes earlier this month, and will be off set for at least six weeks, though production is expected to continue. He injured himself when a hydraulic door in the Millennium Falcon, reportedly fell on him - so at least we know his ship is back!
Chewbacca, C3PO and R2-D2
Another move that's sure to excite fans is that Chewwy and the droids are all returning as well, and will be played by the same actors as the previous movies. Peter Mayhew will once again don his Wookie suit as Hans Solo's faithful partner in crime, and Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker will be reprising their roles as Skywalker's companions C3P0 and R2-D2.
Luke with droid R2-D2 (WENN)
Daniels and Baker are the only actors from the original cast who appeared in the prequel trilogy, which followed the origins of Darth Vader. If they make it through the next three movies, they'll have been in every single Star Wars film.
New Additions
The prospect of a whole new cast of characters, sent the rumour mill into overdrive since it was announced that JJ. Abrams had been signed on to direct. Even those who have been confirmed, their roles and even character names have been kept secret for now.
Abrams and his cast assemble at Pinewood Studios
Daisy Ridley: The unknown 21 year-old actress is rumoured to be playing Han Solo and Princess Leia's daughter in the new movie. However, the actress has been quick to knock down rumours, tweeting soon after she was confirmed in the role: "Overwhelmed by all the support. This is the greatest day of my life. I'm told I can't say who I'm playing yet, but it's exciting!"
Expect to be hearing a lot more about Daisy Ridley (IMDB)
Lupita Nyong'o: The 12 Years A Slave Oscar winner was confirmed to have joined the cast on June 2. Her role however has been kept pretty secret, though there are rumours she'll be a descendant of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Lupita is reportedly going to be a Jedi (WENN)
Adam Driver: The Girls actor has been signed on to play a new villian, reports claim, but in what capacity is unknown.
Oscar Isaac: Drive and Inside Llewyn Davis star claimed it had been "completely surreal" to join the cast of the iconic series. It's unknown what role he'll be taking on but as a pretty heavy weight actor, it's likely to be quite a large one.
Oscar has admitted he's finding it "surreal" to be part of the Star Wars cast (WENN)
Andy Serkis: Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit actor Andy Serkis is another to be confirmed to have joined the cast. Speaking to the BBC in May though the actor wasn't giving anything away and while he said he'd seen the script, the producers were being pretty secretive about the whole production of the movie.
Domnhall Gleeson: Harry Potter actor Gleeson shifts from one huge franchise to another. Speaking to MTV just a few days ago, he said of the jump to Star Wars: "The only reason I'm doing 'Star Wars' is because the script is great, because J.J. [Abrams] is great, and because the cast are great. And that's what you look for in any movie. So in a way, it's just another job."
Domhnall Gleeson remains tight-lipped about Star Wars film (WENN.com)
He's currently sporting a pretty bushy beard, but denied it was a 'Jedi beard': Rumours had abounded that he could potentially play, Luke's son or a Jedi, but when questioned if his facial hair was for the role, he said "no".
John Boyega: 17 year-old Boyega, from Peckham South London is one of the unknown stars to be confirmed for the movie. He was announced on April 29 along with the majority of the cast. Boyega has been at the centre of rumours that the final trilogy will centre around his character. The Latino-Review claimed rumours are that he'll be the potential lead for the movie, echoing that of Luke in the original story and Anakin Skywalker in the prequels.
Boyega is said to be playing a huge role in episdoe VII (WENN)
Max von Sydow: After signing on officially for the VII movie, rumours began that the 85 year-old will be playing Darth Plagueis the Wise, who was Seantor Palpatine's old master. Darth Palgueis was mentioned in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, as the Emperor's old master and fans speculated, he could well be a character in the new movie.
Gwendoline Christie: The Game of Thrones actress was confirmed on June 2 alongside Lupita Nyong'o, expanding the male dominated cast. However, little is known of who her character will actually be.
Gwendoline is a GoT favourite (WENN)
Who won't be joining the Star Wars family?
Saoirse Ronan and Michael B. Jordan: The stars were reported to have auditioned for roles in the movie, though don't appear to have made it to the final cut.
Dominic Monaghan: The Lost actor is rumoured to want a small cameo in the movie, yet this has not been confirmed. The Brit confirmed he has spoken to director JJ Abrams about the film, who he worked with on Lost, and said he'd "talked" about a "potential role", though nothing has since been confirmed.
Dominic could join Star Wars most famous alum Harrison, Mark and Carrie for cameo roles. (Daniel Tanner/WENN)
Benedict Cumberbatch: The Sherlock star was one of the first big names to be linked to Star Wars VII, but speaking in April the British actor ruled out a possible appearance. He was appearing at Comic Con in Sydney, when he reportedly said during a fan Q&A: "I would've liked a part in JJ's [Abrams] new Star Wars but it won't happen sadly."
Benedict Cumberbatch is one of many big names linked to the movie (WENN)
Robert Pattinson: The Twilight hunk was rumoured to be signing on to potentially play a young Han Solo. But quashing the rumours himself, Pattinson said of a potential role: "I didn't even know there was a Han Solo spinoff coming out! Sounds like a cool spinoff - I'll watch it!"
Rob has denied he's joining the Star Wars family (FameFlynetUK)
Tom Cruise: The Mission Impossible actor was said to be in talks for a possible cameo in the movie, following the filming setback caused Harrison's injury, however nothing was confirmed.
Will Tom Cruise star in the new Star Wars film? (WENN)
Samuel L. Jackson: Jackson confirmed he's not going to be reviving his character of Mace Wundu, but would claimed it would have been "interesting" to return to the SW world. He told The Sun's Dan Wootton earlier this month: "I thought I did and it would've been interesting but if I don't get the call, I have so many things going on that I can do." Keeping in mind his character had been killed off, we would've been interested in seeing that too.
The actor played Mace Windu in the Star Wars franchise (WENN)
Denis Lawson: The British actor, who played Wedge Antilles in the original three movies, appearing first in A New Hope, reportedly turned down the chance to return for Episode VII, claiming it would have "bored" him.
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