'Star Wars 7' News: Jonathan Rhys Meyers Cast in 2015's 'Episode VII'? 'Tudors' Star is First New Name for J.J. Abram's Film

Jonathan Rhys Meyers is supposedly in talks to join the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII, which will hit theaters in 2015. If this rumor turns out to be true, the Irish actor would be the first new name to join the cast as opposed to the (yet to be completely confirmed) returning actors from the original trilogy. Details on what role the 35-year-old Tudors star would play have yet to be announced, but he would be reuniting with director J.J. Abrams this project. The two previously worked on Mission: Impossible III together.

Rhys Meyers made a name for himself on the Showtime period drama The Tudors, portraying the tortured and dastardly King Henry VIII. He is also set to star in NBC's fall thriller series Dracula as the title character. Though if Dracula does well in the upcoming season, his commitment to Star Wars might be in jeopardy. But the rumors are still claiming that Rhys Meyers is on the top of Abrams' list for new faces in the franchise.

Admittedly, the film is set for a 2015 release so it is in the very early stages of development. Director J.J. Abrams has only divulged the information about trying to find a good starting point for creating the film.

"I definitely feel that the opportunities are enormous, and as a fan of Star Wars since I was about 11, I feel incredibly honored to be a part of that franchise and that world," he recently said. "It's very early on so we're just getting started but it really is an exciting thing to get to be in that universe."

Star Wars: Episode VII will take place after the events of Return of the Jedi (Episode Vi).

Jonathan Rhys Meyers can next be seen in the upcoming film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.