Adam Driver has been linked to Star Wars for some time, but a fresh report from Variety suggests he is just about to sign on the dotted line for Star Wars: Episode VII as the villain.
The actor, currently best known for HBO series Girls (and with a few choice film roles - Lincoln , Frances Ha , Inside Llewyn Davis - under his belt), would be the first cast member to *officially* sign on if the reports are true (although Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford have long been expected to return).
Driver’s character will ‘be in the vein of iconic Star Wars villain Darth Vader’ according to the report. Driver would be an offbeat choice, but also an exciting one: talented enough to create a unique character, but not so famous that he’d bring too much baggage to the role.
Apparently scheduling issues with his ongoing commitment to Girls had been the reason that this deal had been held up.
With Episode VII gearing up to shoot in the UK this summer, expect official casting announcements sooner rather than later.
Directed by J.J. Abrams, Star Wars: Episode VII (subtitle to be announced) will open on 18 December 2015.