Star Wars Episode 7: Who’s Missing From The Cast Photo?

The lid was finally lifted on the 'Star Wars: Episode VII’ cast when Lucasfilm revealed a black and white photo of the assembled actors and film-makers along with a brief statement.

Unknowns actors John Boyega and Daisy Ridley rubbed shoulders with well-known faces including Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy, the film’s director JJ Abrams, and the main cast from the original trilogy.

However, there are a few surprises. Not from who was announced, but from who had been left out…

George Lucas

The man who single-handedly created the franchise was nowhere to be seen. He may have sold the rights to ‘Star Wars’ and his production company Lucasfilm, part and parcel, to Disney but his omission was unexpected.

Lucas, we had been told until now, is supposed to be acting as a "creative consultant" on the film. His son Jett told Flicks in the City last year that his father was “Constantly talking to J.J. [Abrams]"

"Obviously J.J. was handpicked. He [George Lucas] is there to guide, whenever, he’ll help where he can.”

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Lucas’ outline for the new sequel trilogy is said to have focussed on new characters taking the story forward. This plan appears to have been dropped by Abrams in favor of bringing the old characters back to play a much bigger part.

After all, only days ago we were told that Harrison Ford’s role would be “gigantic”. Could this difference of opinions have Lucas shut out of the production?

Either way, it’s weird seeing a 'Star Wars’ announcement without George's neck-beard looming in the background.

Michael Arndt

Another man whose name seems to have been written out of the history books is ‘Toy Story 3’ scribe Michael Arndt. His name was one of the first connected to the production when Disney announced plans for ‘Episode 7’.

He was brought on board to write the script’s first draft, only to be replaced later down the line by JJ Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan.

Yesterday’s announcement said the film would be based on "a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams”, with no mention whatsoever for Arndt.

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Kasdan has history with the franchise, having written the screenplays for both ‘Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Return of the Jedi’, so it seems they may have ditched Arndt’s treatment altogether in favor of a more reverent story.

Arndt was likely working on the original treatment by Lucas, which marginalized the old cast, but it’s surprising that he didn’t even get a nod here. Perhaps he may retain a credit on the final feature.

Billy Dee Williams

The 77-year-old actor, who played space rogue Lando Calrissian in ‘Episodes V & VI', seemingly didn’t make the cut either.

The actor recently dropped out of ‘Dancing With The Stars’ in the States citing a "chronic back problem”. Wishful thinking conspiracy theorists suggested it was an elaborate ruse to make himself available for ‘Episode 7, but unfortunately, this doesn’t appear to be the case.

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The actor has been vocal about his willingness to return to the part which propelled him into the limelight, but it looks like his blue cloak may have to remain in storage… for now.

Let’s not forget that JJ Abrams managed to find cameo parts for Leonard Nimoy in both of his ‘Star Trek’ films, so he may yet find room for Lando’s return.

Here’s hoping the old scoundrel appears in ‘Episode 7’ in some capacity.

Ian McDiarmid

The British actor who played Emperor Palpatine, first in ‘Return of the Jedi’ then later in the prequel trilogy, was strongly rumoured to be returning for ‘Episode 7’.

Obviously, we all know his character was last seen hurtling to his death at the hands of a rather miffed Darth Vader in ‘Episode VI’, but that hasn’t stopped characters returning to the franchise in the past.

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gonn Jinn, and Anakin Skywalker all returned as Force ghosts in previous installments, but it seems like Palpatine won’t be afforded the same luxury.

Again, there’s a slim chance that the Sith Lord, also known as Darth Sidious, could make a cameo appearance, but Abrams will probably be hoping to forge a new line up of villains in the new trilogy.

Warwick Davis

The diminutive Brit made his acting debut in ‘Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi’. He played the inquisitive Ewok Wicket at the age of 13, being paid the princely sum of £60 a day for his troubles.

He reprised his role in the ill-fated Ewok TV movies ‘The Ewok Adventure’ and ‘Ewoks: The Battle For Endor’, before returning to the franchise in 1999 to play a number of background characters in ‘The Phantom Menace’.

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He’s not been named in the primary cast list for ‘Episode 7’ so far, but we shouldn’t rule out an appearance for the actor who has been associated with the brand for his whole working life.

Has anyone else been snubbed by Lucasfilm in the ‘Star Wars: Episode 7’ announcement? Let us know below.

‘Star Wars: Episode 7’ is coming to cinemas 18 December, 2015.