When the first teaser trailer for ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ was unveiled, an incredible number of rumors emerged from those 88 seconds. One of the most prominent ones was that Benedict Cumberbatch’s voice could be heard over the footage despite constant denials by the ‘Sherlock’ star that he’s even in the movie at all. However, it was revealed that it’s actually mo-cap guru Andy Serkis that provides the ominous voiceover. Now, the acclaimed performer known for his parts in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Planet of the Apes’ franchises (as well as his upcoming part in ‘The Avengers: Age of Ultron’) clears up a few other rumors that have circulated since his involvement in J.J. Abrams’ upcoming adventure to a galaxy far, far away was announced.
While speaking with Entertainment Weekly at the premiere of ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,’ Serkis addressed ten points about his involvement in ‘Episode VII’. After stating again that it was his voice in the teaser and it wasn’t digitally manipulated, he revealed that the rumors that he’ll be playing multiple parts in the film are wrong. “I can say I only play one character,” says Serkis, but naturally he doesn’t go any further by providing additional details like whether or not his character is rendered through motion capture:
“I can’t say a single thing about that. I’m sorry! These things will all come out in the fullness of time, I promise.”
Serkis then shot down the report that said that his character would be leading a “group of unbelievably athletic and acrobatic motion capture characters”. After a big laugh, he says, “I’m not leading a band of gymnasts or acrobats.”
Finally, after touching on the amount of security and secrecy surrounding the set and Harrison Ford’s leg injury, Serkis shared that he hopes that he gets an action figure of his character. Actually, to be more accurate, he crossed his arms and said, “I’d better [get one].”
Now that Andy Serkis has cleared up some confusion about his character in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, do you have any theories about who he’ll be playing? Are you excited to find out more? Sound off in the comments.
‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ starring John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Lupita Nyong’o, Gwendoline Christie, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker premieres on December 18, 2015.