Benedict Cumberbatch rumoured for Star Wars: Episode VII

Over the past couple of months we've heard plenty of casting rumours relating to Star Wars: Episode VII, with the likes of Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine) and Ewan McGregor (Obi Wan Kenobi) all mentioned as potentially reprising their roles alongside possible new additions such as Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Dracula), Leonardo DiCaprio (Django Unchained), Ryan Gosling (Only God Forgives), Zac Efron (High School Musical), Rachel Hurd-Wood (Soloman Kane) and Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four).

Of course, we're yet to hear confirmation on any of these, but while we await the first official casting announcement we can now throw another name into the mix, with Film Chronicles claiming that director J.J. Abrams is set to reunite with his Star Trek Into Darkness star Benedict Cumberbatch for the first instalment of Disney's Sequel Trilogy. Now, as always, take this with a pinch of salt, but Cumberbatch's casting in Episode VII could explain his sudden departure from Guillermo del Toro's Crimson Peak, while the generally reliable Bleeding Cool seem to think their could be some truth in the report. I guess time will tell....

Star Wars: Episode VII is set for release in 2015.