Last month it emerged that Irish actress Saoirse Ronan had read for an unspecified part in Disney and director J.J. Abrams’ eagerly-anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII, and now the Hanna and The Lovely Bones star has offered up some details on her audition during an interview with Empire, including getting her hands on a lightsaber.
“Yeah, I did [audition for Star Wars: Episode VII]. I don’t know whether I should have said that now! I mean, everyone did. Everyone has auditioned for it. So many people I know have gone in for the part I’ve gone in for, and guys who’ve gone in for a particular part, so I’d imagine J.J. is probably just scanning the earth to find the people that he needs. Nobody has a clue what it’s about, and nobody’s read the script. So I’ve gone in and read for it, but I have to say, I think it’s the only time I’ve ever thought, ‘You know what? Even if I don’t get it, I had so much fun auditioning, pretending to take out a lightsaber – out of a bag, kind of inspect it and not know what it is. That was… that was great. A lightsaber! Star Wars!”
With Star Wars: Episode VII set to go into production early next year expect to hear plenty of casting talk over the coming months – hopefully of the official kind, rather than the rumours and speculation we’ve become accustomed to.
Originally published October 5, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
