Variety today named  five actors currently in the running for the lead (yet unnamed) role in JJ Abrams upcoming film Star Wars VII.  On this list we have Downton Abbey actor Ed Speleers, Attack the Block star John Boyega, Friday Night Lights star Jesse Plemons, and theater actors Matthew James Thomas, and Ray Fisher.

There is no way of knowing for SURE if these five guys really ARE being considered, but according to the piece ‘these actors are currently on the top of the list’.

An official quote as to the radio silence:  “reason for the delay has to do whether execs and creatives want someone of a different ethnicity from the previous Caucasian leads. Abrams has said on numerous occasions that he wants to have a diversified cast, which is why actors like David Oyewolo and Michael B. Jordan tested early on.”

Star Wars VII will start shooting in the late second quarter or early third quarter at London’s Pinewood Studios. It’s scheduled to be released in theaters on December 18th, 2015.