'Star Wars Episode 7' Cast: 5 Actors Have Met With J.J. Abrams For Lead, Including Jesse Plemons, 'Downton Abbey' Star Ed Speelers

The "Star Wars Episode 7" production has reportedly narrowed down the search for their lead to five actors.

Several young men have tested for the role, but only a handful has caught the attention of director J.J. Abrams, Variety reports. The actors testing to become the next face of the franchise are "Downton Abbey" Ed Speleers, "Attack the Block" star John Boyega, "Breaking Bad" star Jesse Plemons, and newcomers Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher.

One of the five actors could be joining Adam Driver, who is reportedly set to take on the film's villainous role. However, Disney hasn't confirmed any casting news relating to the upcoming "Star Wars Episode 7" production.

According to Variety, casting delays in the production occurred when studio executives and the creative team wanted to add more diversity amongst the leads. Abrams reportedly was adamant there would should be diversity in the stars of the film.

Original cast members Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford are expected to return to set, but haven't confirmed their appearance in "Star Wars Episode 7." However, Carrie Fisher let it slip that she will be returning and told "Legit" star Jim Jefferies when she is expected back on set while filming as a guest star.

"She's a funny lady, man," Jefferies said during an interview with Sirius XM's "Opie and Anthony Show." "She'll be smoking cigarettes outside and as soon as she gets inside, she's straight on to the vapor. She's had some f***ing hard partying in her life, I tell ya....She said to me, she goes 'I'm going off to London for six months to film the new Star Wars movie,' right? And I don't think from looking at it, the new Star Wars movie is a direct continuation. It's number 7 but it's not going to be the next day, I'll tell you that much. Maybe she had the same problem the Emperor had, I don't know."

"Star Wars Episode 7" is set to hit theaters on Dec. 18, 2015.