Sources tell Variety that while no deal is done yet, the “Girls” actor is close to signing on to play the villain in J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: Episode VII.” Exact details are unknown, but the character is said to be in the vein of iconic “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader.
Driver, 30, is the first cast member to be revealed for Walt Disney Studios and LucasFilm’s highly-anticipated “Star Wars” installment, which will open in theaters on Dec. 18, 2015.
The big-budget tentpole, directed by J.J. Abrams, is scheduled to shoot at London’s Pinewood Studios in April. Additional cast members will likely be announced in the next month.
“Star Wars: Episode VII” will continue the Jedi saga where “Return of the Jedi” left off.
Abrams is producing with Bryan Burk and LucasFilm’s Kathleen Kennedy.
Driver’s name had been rumored during the casting process, but in recent weeks, the Indiana native has become Disney and LucasFilms’ top choice to play the main villain.
The delay in making a decision was due to scheduling issues with “Star Wars” and his HBO show “Girls.” Sources say it’s not just Season 4 that was the hangup, but also future seasons, since future “Star Wars” installments could also coincide with upcoming seasons of the HBO Lena Dunham comedy.
Sources are now telling Variety that scheduling issues have been resolved and that a deal should be finalized in the coming days.
Abrams recently announced that the script he co-wrote with Lawrence Kasdan was finished and that they would begin zeroing in on casting decisions soon. Michael Arndt wrote the original draft, with Kasdan and Abrams taking over last fall.
Disney was also rumored to be looking at Michael Fassbender and Hugo Weaving for the villain role.
The studio had no comment on the cast.
While Driver has received acclaim for his role on “Girls,” he has become more in demand for high-profile features lately. The actor is currently filming Warner Bros.’ “Midnight Special” and is also attached to Martin Scorsese’s “Silence” starring Andrew Garfield and Liam Neeson.
Disney has been quickly ramping up the “Star Wars” universe since buying LucasFilm for $4 billion in October, 2012. In addition to the “Star Wars” films, the studio is developing theme park attractions, TV shows and an extensive line of merchandise.
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