Benedict Cumberbatch is Rumoured To Be Joining Star Wars VII

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  2 September 2013.

The Star Wars rumor mill is whirring again with yet another tantalizing piece of gossip: Benedict Cumberbatch may be joining the cast of Episode VII.

Though the rumor has been vigorously not commented on by everyone associated with the highly anticipated new Star Warsmovie that does not mean fans are not all a-flutter.

Speculation of the Sherlock actor reuniting with his Star Trek director J.J. Abrams began when Cumberbatch abruptly departedfrom the Guillermo del Toro film, Crimson Peak. Since that movie and Star Wars are both expected to begin shooting in January 2014, fans were quick to connect the dots.

Cumberbatch’s repeated declaration of love for the lightsaber franchise has also added heat to the rumor. In a May interview with Total Film he confessed that he was, “an out-and-out kid running around with a lightsaber wanting to fly the Millennium Falcon.” He stated in the same interview that he had already approached Abrams about a role in Episode VII.

“I’ve already asked [J.J. Abrams] if I can be a lightsaber,” Cumberbatch joked. “We’re in talks – about whirring sounds and the rates for the lights and everything.”

In all seriousness though, who would Cumberbatch play in the Star Wars film? Everyone is mum on that as well, with some of the filmmakers jokingly saying he will be the villain. After his stunning performance as Khan in Star Trek: Into Darkness, being a Sith Lord seems right up his alley.

Then again, the image of Cumberbatch running around in Jedi robes with a blue or green lightsaber sounds quite nice too.

Even with details being fairly nonexistent, there are two things I feel sure about: One, anything Cumberbatch did in Episode VIIwould be phenomenal. And two, after roles in Star Trek, The Hobbit trilogy, and Sherlock, a part in Star Wars: Episode VII would certainly cement Cumberbatch’s (well deserved) status as a geek god.

Will Samuel L Jackson Make A Star Wars Return?

Originally published on PopWrapped.Tumblr.com.  23 July 2013.

Wondering if Samuel L. Jackson will be making an appearance in Star Wars Episode VII? So is Jackson.

At George Lucas’ wedding in June, Jackson met up with Star Wars Episode VII director, JJ Abrams.

According to Digital Spy, the two had a wordless interaction where Jackson silently questioned Abrams by raising his eyebrows. Abrams responded with a shrug.

“I don’t know what that means,” Jackson said when recalling the encounter. So for now, the actor as no clue if he’ll be putting on his Jedi robe and picking up his purple lightsaber again.

The actor’s campaign to return as Jedi Master Mace Windu has become well known. Despite Windu losing a hand, getting electrocuted and flying out a window in Revenge of the Sith, Jackson believes they could bring the character back.

"He just went out the window. He’s a Jedi! He could have landed on a ledge," he teased.

Members of the first Star Wars trilogy like Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill are expected to reprise their roles. Harrison Ford is expected to return as well, however, the man behind Han Solo has been very tight lipped on the subject. Ewan McGregor has also expressed interest in being involved in the project.

“I just think it would be cool to have some of us that people relate to as being part of the Star Wars franchise to give entry to the new characters that they’re going to bring to whatever the new thing is,” Jackson said. “It kind of makes it an easier entrance."

Star Wars: Episode VII will be the first Jedi film since Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012 and is expected to hit theater in 2015.