Two new Star Wars Episode VII cast members have been announced by producers Lucasfilm and Disney.
Last year the much-anticipated sequel held open casting calls in 11 cities across the US and UK and received over 37,000 hopefuls attendances and a further 30,000 online submissions.
As a result of that process, two new stars in the making have been identified – Crystal Clarke, an American actress studying in Glasgow, and British actor Pip Andersen.
Both are set to join the Episode VII cast, including saga veterans Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill. No details of their respective roles have been announced.
Clarke is has both stage and screen acting experience and is soon to be seen in her first feature, The Moon and the Sun (to be released in 2015).
Andersen is described as “a skilled practitioner of parkour”, a discipline that involves propelling oneself through any given environment with incredible grace and agility.
“The Star Wars universe has always been about discovering and nurturing young talent and in casting Episode VII we wanted to remain absolutely faithful to this tradition.
“We are delighted that so many travelled to see us at the open casting calls and that we have been able to make Crystal and Pip a part of the film,” said producer and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy.
The movie is currently filming at Pinewood Studios in London after wrapping on location in Abu Dhabi in May.
In a statement the producers confirmed that shooting would stop for two weeks to accommodate Harrison Ford as he recovers from a leg injury sustained on the set.
The statement says: “Harrison is doing well and is looking forward to returning to the set soon.
“Shooting remains on track to wrap in the fall with the film scheduled for release on December 18, 2015.”
