In some extremely cool, yet highly unexpected late casting news, a few names have been revealed to lend their talents to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Iwo Uwais, Yayan Ruhian and Cecep Arif Rahman, stars in Gareth Evans' hyper-action Raid movies, will provide their fighting skills to the J.J. Abrams' project.
Twitch got the scoop on the news. Although their exact roles in the sci-fi sequel is not known at the moment, sources close to the project hint one of the movie's action sequences was choreographed by the team of action actors. Considering the site's editor, Tom Brown, produced both films, it should come to no surprise this would be the site getting the exclusive on these details. Lucasfilm has yet to confirm their involvement in the movie.
Uwais was the lead in both Raid movies, while Ruhian stared as Mad Dog and Prakoso and Rahman played "The Assassin." In addition to starring in the movies, Uwais and Ruhian choreographed their extraordinary action sequences. If their fighting skills in the sequel's kitchen scene alone are brought just a little to this new movie, don't be surprised to see some amazing action in this new movie. If anything, this proves how committed Abrams is to making sure Star Wars: The Force Awakens has as many practical effects as possible, to direct themselves as close to the original films as possible and way from George Lucas' prequels just as much.
As details are still scarce at the moment, it is possible these men also have some acting roles in the new movie as well. In addition to this movie, Uwais is also serving as a fight choreographer on the upcoming American remake of The Raid, starring Frank Grillo and directed by Patrick Hughes' (The Expendables 3). Last heard, that movie is set to start filming sometime this year.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens flies into theaters on December 18, 2015.
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