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Star Wars hopefuls attend open auditions in Bristol Star Wars hopefuls attend open auditions in Bristol
(about 3 hours later)
Thousands of people are expected to descend on Bristol for the first in a series of open auditions for two lead roles in the next Star Wars film.Thousands of people are expected to descend on Bristol for the first in a series of open auditions for two lead roles in the next Star Wars film.
Producers Lucasfilm are seeking two actors for roles in the forthcoming Star Wars: Episode VII.Producers Lucasfilm are seeking two actors for roles in the forthcoming Star Wars: Episode VII.
The two roles are for a "street smart" girl in her late teens and a "smart capable" man in his late teens or early 20s, according to the casting call.The two roles are for a "street smart" girl in her late teens and a "smart capable" man in his late teens or early 20s, according to the casting call.
Casting sessions will take place across the UK and Ireland.Casting sessions will take place across the UK and Ireland.
Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin and London will also host open auditions throughout November.Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin and London will also host open auditions throughout November.
Star Wars: Episode VII is scheduled to begin shooting at Pinewood Studios near London in spring 2014 before the film is released on 18 December 2015.Star Wars: Episode VII is scheduled to begin shooting at Pinewood Studios near London in spring 2014 before the film is released on 18 December 2015.
Unprecedented opportunityUnprecedented opportunity
The open auditions for a "major Hollywood Movie" were first published on the twitter account @UKopencall, which announced a "nationwide search for lead roles for a Disney movie".The open auditions for a "major Hollywood Movie" were first published on the twitter account @UKopencall, which announced a "nationwide search for lead roles for a Disney movie".
Disney bought Lucasfilm, the production company behind the Star Wars series, in October 2012 for £2.6bn ($4bn). Lucasfilm has now confirmed the auditions are for the next Star Wars films.
Disney bought Lucasfilm, the production company behind the series, in October 2012 for £2.6bn ($4bn).
In the US open auditions also begin this week according to an online notice.In the US open auditions also begin this week according to an online notice.
Casting directors will be visiting cities including Nashville and Chicago as well as accepting online applications.Casting directors will be visiting cities including Nashville and Chicago as well as accepting online applications.
While it is unprecedented for lead parts in a franchise of this size to hold open auditions in this way, Star Wars has in the past given major roles to little known actors and actresses through the traditional casting process, dating back to the original trilogy when the then unknown Mark Hamill won the role of Luke Skywalker.While it is unprecedented for lead parts in a franchise of this size to hold open auditions in this way, Star Wars has in the past given major roles to little known actors and actresses through the traditional casting process, dating back to the original trilogy when the then unknown Mark Hamill won the role of Luke Skywalker.
Other movies have successfully cast secondary actors and actresses through open auditions in the past most notably some of the later Harry Potter films.Other movies have successfully cast secondary actors and actresses through open auditions in the past most notably some of the later Harry Potter films.
Actress Dakota Blue Richards won the lead role of Lyra in The Golden Compass, the film adaptation of Philip Pullman's Northern Lights, through open casting.Actress Dakota Blue Richards won the lead role of Lyra in The Golden Compass, the film adaptation of Philip Pullman's Northern Lights, through open casting.
Director JJ Abrams, who is also co-scripting the new Star Wars movie, will not be attending the open auditions.Director JJ Abrams, who is also co-scripting the new Star Wars movie, will not be attending the open auditions.
Instead, those at the auditions, who must be over the age of 16 for the female role, and over 18 for the male role, will briefly meet members of the casting team of the film.Instead, those at the auditions, who must be over the age of 16 for the female role, and over 18 for the male role, will briefly meet members of the casting team of the film.