AceShowbiz -

"Star Wars Episode 7" might be close to signing one of its main actors. Bleeding Cool cites "two dependable sources" that 23-year-old British star Jack O'Connell is a contender to play a key role in the upcoming first installment of "Star Wars" new trilogy directed by J.J. Abrams.

The movie is slated to hit theaters across the U.S. on December 18, 2015. Casting directors are looking for two young stars to play a tough-cookie teenage girl and a charismatic, funny guy from 19 to 23. They are also in search of an actor to portray a tough guy role a la Matt Damon in "Elysium".

"X-Men: First Class" actor Jason Flemyng was rumored auditioning for the movie after he posted on Instagram the movie's alleged script. Matt Smith ("Doctor Who") also has reportedly gone in for a meeting regarding an unspecified role in the film.

While the two British actors remained silent on the casting rumors, Saoirse Ronan and Michael B. Jordan were quite open about their auditions. The "Hanna" actress, however, revealed that she didn't get the part in the tentpole project.

Most recently, Emmanuelle Chriqui ("Entourage"), Alexis Dziena ("When in Rome") and Taissa Farmiga ("American Horror Story: Coven") were reported circling a role in the much-awaited movie.

O'Connell is one of the main cast members on U.K. teen drama "Skins". He has a role in the upcoming "300: Rise of an Empire" and plays real-life World War hero Louis Zamperini in Angelina Jolie-directed "Unbroken".