The 'RoboCop' star says he did get a call to join the upcoming J.J. Abrams film, but notes that 'the deal isn't done.'
- Feb 7, 2014
AceShowbiz - Gary Oldman is eyed for "Star Wars Episode 7", and the news came from the "Lawless" actor himself. In an interview with Sky Movies in an effort to promote his soon-to-be-released movie "RoboCop", he spills that he did get approached for a role in the J.J. Abrams film.
"They've called. You know, I'm more cynical about it now. I'll believe it when I'm on the plane home. The deal isn't done, but yeah, they've inquired," he reveals, before pointing out that he's no stranger to big franchises, "I mean 'Planet of the Apes', 'Harry Potter', 'Batman', and 'Star Wars'... bloody hell!"
Years ago when George Lucas developed "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith", Oldman was linked to voice General Grievous. He, however, dropped out of the project to avoid violating Screen Actors Guild's rules because the movie was made outside of the union of which he's a member.
"Gary was excited and looking forward to working on the film. The snag is that the movie is being made without members of the Screen Actor's Guild," his rep said back then. "It means Gary would have been working illegally overseas. Out of respect and solidarity with the other members, he could not and would not consider violating the rules of his union."
Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan, and Saoirse Ronan also said they were eying for roles in the much-anticipated film, but Ronan later said she didn't get the part. Eventually, "Breaking Bad" actor Jesse Plemons is hotly tipped to join the franchise, but nothing has officially been set in stone.
"Episode 7" is slated to hit theatres on December 18, 2015. Two sequels are set to follow for 2017 and 2019 releases respectively. No official cast members have been announced, but Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher are expected to reprise their roles as the classic "Star Wars" trio, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia.
