While Star Wars preps a stellar year after taking much of the 2021 calendar off, the franchise's future slowly comes together in the background. It still may be a ways out until the galaxy far, far away returns to the big screen, but in the meantime, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and co. have plenty in store on Disney+, including Andor, Obi-Wan, and the rumored series set in the High Republic era.
This newly reported High Republic series has been described as "Stranger Things in space" and could begin filming as soon as June of this year.
The High Republic has yet to be explored in any visual medium, having been introduced as a literary first venture. But it seems to be only a matter of time before the new era of Lucasian lore makes its way onto the big and small screen, which is confirmed further thanks to new information about the show's cast.
Casting for the High Republic Show
The Illuminerdi uncovered casting details for the upcoming High Republic Star Wars show coming to Disney+. The casting descriptions are for a quartet of young kids aged between 11 and 12 years old.
The first role is for a character named "Wyatt" and is described as someone who "yearns for great adventures, but finds his attention easily diverted:"
"Lucasfilm is looking for a young man to play 11 years old of any ethnicity to play “Wyatt”. Wyatt yearns for great adventures, but finds his attention easily diverted. He wishes to be the hero in any situation he finds himself in. Wyatt is described as a series regular."
The next description is for "Wyatt’s bashful best friend" Ned. Ned is described as "kind with a massive heart, but also tends to be a rules follower" despite "often [finding] himself pulled into Wyatt’s adventures:"
"Lucasfilm is looking for a young man to play 11 years old of any ethnicity to play “Ned”. Ned is described as Wyatt’s bashful best friend. Ned is kind with a massive heart, but also tends to be a rules follower. That being said, Ned often finds himself pulled into Wyatt’s adventures. Ned is described as a series regular."
The third is a "non-binary" character named Faye. Faye is described as "rebellious and extroverted" but "at 12 years old they already have a chip on their shoulder:"
"Lucasfilm is also looking to cast a young actress of non-binary actor of any ethnicity to play 12 year old “Faye”. Faye is described as rebellious and extroverted, but at 12 years old they already have a chip on their shoulder. Faye is described as a series regular."
And the last detailed casting call comes for "a young woman" named Kylie who is known as "Faye’s best friend and is described as serious, intelligent, and keeps her emotions guarded:"
"Lucasflim is also looking to cast a young woman to play 12 years old of any ethnicity to play “Kylie”. Kylie is Faye’s best friend and is described as serious, intelligent, and keeps her emotions guarded, behind a wall. Kylie is also a series regular."
The Illuminerdi also learned of a casting call for a middle-aged man between 30 and 40, but further specifics were not provided.
The Younglings Come Together
If there was any question as to if this talk of a "Stranger Things in space" concept was legitimate, well these new casting calls are as good a proof as any.
One can easily see that Lucasfilm is slowly starting to assemble this ensemble of kids that will make up the main cast of this High Republic show. Now there was speculation that these characters would come straight from the page of a couple of the already released High Republic books, but that does not seem to be the case. All four of these roles look to be original to this series.
One interesting note is the specific call out for a "non-binary" actor for the role of Faye. Representation has been a key point of conversation across movies and TV, and more and more fans are starting to see that kind of diversity on-screen.
But with a name as big as Star Wars, this is representation coming to the biggest stage possible, which can only mean good things. When people see themselves on-screen, no matter their color, creed, sexuality, or gender identity, especially in one of the biggest franchises in the world, it gets rid of any stigmas or prejudices that may be there. This effort normalizes all this in the process.
And it is not hard to envision a future where someone sees Faye in this series for the first time kicking ass and realizes that what they are feeling is okay. That is what diversity in art can do.
This untitled High Republic series is set to begin filming sometime in 2022.
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