Latino Review is once again behind the latest round of gossip. According to the site, Oyelowo “went in” for an unnamed role while Jordan has met with Abrams himself. It’s unclear whether the two are competing for the same part, or whether they’re eyeing two different characters. Both actors previously worked with Lucasfilm on the Tuskegee Airmen drama Red Tails.
Oyelowo has been on the verge of breaking out for some time now, but despite appearances in buzzed-about projects like The Help, The Paperboy, Lincoln, Jack Reacher, and Lee Daniels’ The Butler, hasn’t quite gotten there yet. A Star Wars gig could be just the thing to get him over the edge. He’s currently shooting Interstellar, directed by Christopher Nolan.
Meanwhile, Jordan is coming off of an acclaimed turn in the fact-based indie Fruitvale Station, and seems poised to hit it big in the near future. He’s rumored to have a lead role in Josh Trank’s Fantastic Four, and he has Ryan Coogler’s Creed coming up soon. His other previous credits include Chronicle and the TV series Friday Night Lights and The Wire.