Star Wars Episode VII: Ben Skywalker

Earlier in the week I wrote articles about my fantasy casting choices for the likes of Jaina Solo and Jacen Solo in the new Star Wars trilogy if they are to feature. Of course, the Star Wars saga is primarily about the Skywalker family and this new trilogy, if based on the children of our original heroes, will not be without a Skywalker. This is the turn of Ben.

To anybody with just a passing interest in the Star Wars films it will be pretty obvious who his father is and who he is named after but I am going to tell you anyway: Ben Kenobi and Luke Skywalker. Ben’s mother is another Jedi master named Mara Jade and most of his pivotal moments in the expanded universe come before his sixteenth birthday. This will most likely be changed for the new trilogy however, because, after the catastrophe of the prequel trilogy, they’re not going to want to hedge their bets on a young teenager, surely? But I could be wrong. Anyway, who could play Ben Skywalker?

 

Dave Franco

This would be a bit of a strange choice as he is making a name for himself in Hollywood now as more of a comedic type actor. However, complete with trademark Franco smile, I think Dave Franco could fit into the Star Wars universe pretty well. I think they will be opting for an up and coming actor rather than one who has already made his name for the role of Ben Skywalker and Dave Franco could be a good fit.

 

Garrett Hedlund

I have seen Hedlund mentioned by quite a few fans as a possibly Ben Skywalker. He seems to have a name that you would be likely to remember and has appeared in some big (if a little disappointing) films: Troy, Eragon, TRON: Legacy. With the latter looking as though it could be turning into a quite profitable franchie then it is possible Hedlund will be staying on to lead TRON in the future years so he seems unlikely.

 

Liam Hemsworth

If it was down to me Liam Hemsworth would be my pick. He is appearing in The Hunger Games trilogy at the minute but by the time Star Wars Episode VII begins to get made the second film will be done with and he doesn’t exactly have the biggest part in the world so he may consider turning his back on the role to lead Star Wars into a new era. Ben Skywalker seems a pretty difficult role to cast at the minute and if Abrams decides against casting an unknown actor (as George Lucas did with the original Skywalker) then Hemsworth could well be in with a shout.

On The Road Trailer

UK Release Date: 21st September 2012.

On the Road is an adventure drama adapted from Jack Kerouac’s novel of the same name. The story follows Dean and Sal, two young men who are the portrait of the ‘Beat Generation’. Their search for “It” results in a fast paced, energetic roller coaster ride with highs and lows throughout the U.S.

The film has been a long time in the making. In 1957 Jack Kerouac wrote a letter to Marlon Brando himself expressing interest in turning his novel into a film with Brando in one of the lead roles. Brando never replied. Then in 1979 Francis Ford Coppola bought the rights for the film. Since then several of the attempts to adapt novel to film have been shelved but we finally have it this year with Coppola in an executive producer role.

Sam Riley and Garrett Hedlund play the two main characters. Riley is no stranger to these ‘coming of age’ sort of films and should excel in his performance. The supporting cast includes Kristen Stewart, Kirsten Dunst, Amy Adams, Viggo Mortensen, Terrence Howard and Steve Buscemi. Impressed?

The trailer looks like your ordinary story of a generation growing up, going through the highs and lows of life. But that doesn’t mean that the film doesn’t look good. On the Road has long been begging to be made and now it has been it looks like a job well done. We have to wait until September for the final piece but the trailer gives a lot to look forward to and a story to be fond of.

‘Out of the Furnace’ Cast Coming Together and Looking Great!

It has been announced today that Casey Affleck has been cast in upcoming thriller Out of the Furnace in which he will be playing the brother of Christian Bale who has been attached to the project for a while.

Out of the Furnace, scheduled for a 2014 release, follows Slim (Bale) who has recently been released from prison and plans to marry his girlfriend. Instead Slim becomes embroiled in a quest for revenge when his brother is murdered after getting involved in a gambling racket.

Being as though the story outline states that Affleck’s character will die it is unclear how much he will feature in the film. Also in the running for this part were Channing Tatum, Taylor Kitsch and Garrett Hedlund so it’s safe to say that Affleck definitely deserved it compared to his competitors. He is one of the finest talents around and is very under rated and understated as an actor.

Just a couple of days ago Zoe Saldana was announced as a new addition to the Out of the Furnace cast, playing Slim’s ex-wife. These two new additions along with Bale make the cast look very exciting and almost certain to be a hit already.

Robert Duvall and Viggo Mortensen have both been rumoured to be in the film, however no official casting announcement has been mde regarding either of these two actors. However, they would both be a welcome addition to the ensemble.