When all the reports about Star Wars: Episode VII say that everyone and their dog has been called about possible roles in the film and that J.J. Abrams has been holding meetings, screen tests and open auditions with half the acting community across the world, it’s only a matter of time before Gary Oldman’s name comes up in consideration. And, according to the man himself, he’s at least had a conversation about it{
"They've called, yeah," Oldman tells Sky Movies. "I'm more cynical about it now, I believe it when I'm on the plane home. You know, the deal isn't done. But yeah, they've inquired."
Given his track record in big genre projects – your Harry Potter, your Batman, your Planet Of The Apes (with this year’s Dawn) and now RoboCop – it’s hardly a shock to know that Abrams and co. are looking to snag Oldman’s services, though with the shields still up on any real information from the new movie (besides the announced presence of stalwart R2-D2 and the endlessly rumoured, confirmed and ever-changing status of Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford) it’s tough to know what Oldman would be playing, even assuming that all-important deal goes through. He’s versatile enough to work on either the dark or light sides of the force, so we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed on this one.
Besides, it would certainly give Oldman a boost in his good-natured competition with Samuel L. Jackson to see who can nab the biggest box office, something you can hear about in the next Empire Podcast, which is arriving tomorrow. To be ready, head here.
Star Wars: Episode VII, meanwhile, is set to start shooting soon and will jump out of hyperspace and into our cinemas on December 18, 2015.