Adam Driver to Play Villain in STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

According to Variety, J.J. Abrams has found his villain for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII.

Various sources have confirmed to the publication that GIRLS star Adam Driver is wrapping up talks to play the unnamed villain in the next installment of the franchise. Though details are scarce, "the character is said to be in the vein of iconic STAR WARS villain Darth Vader." Driver has reportedly been in talks for sometime, with scheduling for HBO's series with Lena Dunham being the main issue before a deal could be finalized.

Disney was also looking at Michael Fassbender and Hugo Weaving for the role, according to the report.

In other news on the STAR WARS front, Disney recently confirmed that R2-D2 will officially be back for the upcoming film. Also expected to return for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII are original leads Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford. BREAKING BAD's Jesse Plemons has also reportedly been circling a role, but it's unclear if he's still in talks to board the film.

Star Wars: Episode VII will be directed by Abrams and is being scripted by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi). Lucasfilm president Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, with Tommy Harper (Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Jack Ryan, Star Trek Into Darkness) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin, War of the Worlds) serving as executive producers. John Williams is returning to score the film.

A few months after the events of 9/11, Driver joined the United States Marine Corps. He served for two and a half years, and two months before being deployed to Iraq, he injured his sternum in a biking accident, then further injured himself during a training exercise, and was medically discharged. After leaving the Marines, Driver attended the University of Indianapolis for a year before transferring to Juilliard to study drama.

Following his graduation from Juilliard in 2009, Driver began acting in New York City, appearing in both Broadway and off-Broadway productions. He's since appeared in J. Edgar, Gaby, Lincoln and more along with his role in GIRLS.

Photo by Jennifer Broski

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