Since J.J Abrams took over from batshit accidental genius George Lucas on the Star Wars franchise, the rumours about who he'd cast as who have been numerous and loud. At one point a very good case was made for a female actor to play Han Solo, and Jennifer Lawrence's name got thrown into the pot. Turns out that's not true obviously, because there are only three women in the entire Star Wars Universe, and it also turns out that Benedict Cumberbatch having been cast in the movie isn't true either.
He worked with J.J recently on Star Trek Into Darkness, and last week the internet went into nuclear powered maximum thrust with talk that the Sherlock actor would reunite with the Lost creator and play some huge part in Star Wars Episode VII. The idea was further fuelled when Cumberbatch left the movie Crimson Peak, which he was filming with Guillermo Del Toro, without publicly giving a reason.
Benedict's reps have announced that there's no truth to the speculation and that he will NOT be participating in Star Wars; “I think the rumours are circling because JJ and Benedict have just recently had a wonderful time working together on Star Trek.”
So sorry ladies, looks like your only reason for being bothered about the return of Star Wars just waltzed out the door before he even sauntered into it. Or has he? Because Abrams is a notorious little liar when it comes to things like this.
He said for MONTHS that he wasn't going anywhere near Star Wars Episode VII, and before that he told everyone who'd listen that Cumberbatch would NOT be playing Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness. I'm not saying his pants are definitely on fire, but there's some smoke coming somewhere.
Words by Gazz Wood
Gazz Wood is a writer from The Northern Film School at Leeds Met University. As well as writing for Wireless he can also be heard on the monthly podcast Possibly of Interest with TV Producer Howard Cohen and special guests from the world of British TV and Cinema, plus his own weekly show Gazz Wood Has A Podcast. He can also be followed on Twitter @GazzPH90
