Zac Efron and Lupita Nyong’o had both been heavily tipped to be joining the cast of Star Wars Episode VII. So, imagine our surprise when the cast was announced earlier this week but their names weren’t on the list!  Although Jj Abrams has announced a string of actors billed to appear in his upcoming movie, there are rumours that the casting announcement isn’t yet complete. The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Abrams “has another substantial role to fill - and it’s a female part.” How much truth there is to this report is obviously debatable, but we do know that there’s been strong evidence suggesting both Nyong’o and Efron will be joining the cast.

Star Wars castIs the Episode VII cast complete, or will there be a second announcement?

Nyong’o was reported to have met with director Abrams in March when they discussed the Oscar-winning actress playing one of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s offspring. Lupita is probably the hottest actress around at the moment, fresh off her Academy Award win for her performance in 12 Years a Slave. Although Lupita met with Abrams in March, she hasn’t been the only female actress rumoured to have landed a role in Episode VII. Newcomer Maisie Richardson-Sellers’ name has also cropped up a few times. It’s not too unlikely for a fairly unknown actress to be cast, since relatively unheard of Daisy Ridley was announced as a main cast member on Tuesday.

MORE: Who is newest Star Wars Episode VII cast member, Oscar Isaac?

Zac Efron’s name has been linked numerous times to the project, and lots of evidence seems to back up the assertion that he is due to star in Episode VII. Germain Tussier from Slash Film lists the mounting evidence:

In July 2013 Efron met with Abrams, a meeting he confirmed with MTV News at a promotional event for That Awkward Moment.

Rumours are rife that Efron has recently signed a deal to star in a major movie franchise.

Efron has deflected any and all questions about whether he is due to star in Episode VII.  Sounds like pretty shifty behaviour to us!

There’s still a very real possibility that Efron and Nyong’o's names will crop up in a second wave of casting announcements. Efron currently has only one project, The Associate, on the horizon, due to come out in 2015, so his schedule is looking pretty free. Nyong’o is rumoured to be starring in two films due for release next year, Who Shot the Sheriff? and The Jungle Book. Will she have time to take on a third?

Zac Efron Star WarsWill actor Zac Efron be joining the cast for Star Wars Episode VII?

Do you think that the Star Wars Episode VII cast list is now complete, or is there some room for Efron and Nyong'o on board the Milennium Falcon?

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