So essentially, we're looking at Star Wars Episode VII: Generations.
With less than two years to go until Star Wars Episode VII is scheduled to arrive in theaters, the rumors surrounding the film are ramping up. The latest batch suggests Michael Fassbender, Hugo Weaving, Adam Driver from HBO's Girls and Breaking Bad actor Jesse Plemons are under consideration for involvement...somehow. And those are in addition to other names being thrown out, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael B. Jordan, Jack O'Connell, Alex Pettyfer, Saoirse Ronan and Sullivan Stapleton.
The Hollywood Reporter has an update on the speculation, including an explanation for why screenwriter Michael Arndt left the project last fall, with director J.J. Abrams and Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan taking control. According to the article, the reason for the split was a "difference in opinion of which characters to emphasize."
Arndt apparently focused on the children of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), with the original trilogy stars serving as supporting characters. However, Abrams wanted Episode VII to center around Luke, Leia and Han, so that everyone could enjoy them as leading characters one last time before giving them a proper sendoff. The next generation of Star Wars heroes (who may or may not be Ben Skywalker and Jacen & Jaina Solo from the Star Wars novels) will now be the supporting characters in Episode VII, but taking over in Episodes VIII and IX. In addition, some of Arndt's characters have been written out with other ones being introduced.
Star Wars creator George Lucas was also involved in the creative debate, but reportedly accepted the decision by Abrams and producer/current Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams and Kasdan's changes have affected a number of young actors already cast, because there's no need for their characters. One role originally envisioned as a 20-year-old male has been aged into a 40-year-old.
Some other rumored tidbits mentioned in the article include Weaving supposedly meeting for a role of an Imperial commander, and the search for a twentysomething female actress who is either of mixed race or black that could possibly be playing Obi-Wan Kenobi's granddaughter.
Star Wars Episode VII is slated to arrive on December 18, 2015.