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Star Wars hopefuls attend open auditions in Bristol Star Wars hopefuls attend open auditions in Bristol
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of people are queuing at a Bristol arts centre for the first in a series of open auditions for two lead roles in the next Star Wars film.Hundreds of people are queuing at a Bristol arts centre 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.
'Can't not audition''Can't not audition'
The auditions are due to take place at Bristol's Arnolfini from 11:00 GMT, but many hopefuls have been queuing up in the rain since 04:30. The auditions are taking place at Bristol's Arnolfini from 11:00 GMT, but many hopefuls have been queuing up in the rain since 04:30.
"This is something I grew up with and it's massive - it's a massive deal," said Ben Millier, from Frome in Somerset."This is something I grew up with and it's massive - it's a massive deal," said Ben Millier, from Frome in Somerset.
"You can't not audition for this if you're in the age range, if you fit it, because it's just a big deal.""You can't not audition for this if you're in the age range, if you fit it, because it's just a big deal."
Alex Rambo, another hopeful from Bristol, said if there was the "slightest chance - it's all worth it no matter how long you have to queue for".Alex Rambo, another hopeful from Bristol, said if there was the "slightest chance - it's all worth it no matter how long you have to queue for".
And Tom Millineux, who has also been queuing for several hours, said he "couldn't resist the temptation" despite his "absolute lack of acting experience".And Tom Millineux, who has also been queuing for several hours, said he "couldn't resist the temptation" despite his "absolute lack of acting experience".
Star Wars: Episode VII is scheduled to begin shooting at Pinewood Studios near London in spring 2014 before the film is released in December 2015.Star Wars: Episode VII is scheduled to begin shooting at Pinewood Studios near London in spring 2014 before the film is released in December 2015.
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".
Unprecedented opportunityUnprecedented opportunity
Lucasfilm has since confirmed the auditions are for the next Star Wars film.Lucasfilm has since confirmed the auditions are for the next Star Wars film.
Disney bought Lucasfilm, the production company behind the series, in October 2012 for £2.6bn ($4bn).Disney bought Lucasfilm, the production company behind the series, in October 2012 for £2.6bn ($4bn).
Open auditions also begin this week in the US, according to an online notice.Open auditions also begin this week in the US, 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 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 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.
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.