Five young actors audition for Star Wars: Episode VII

Los Angles - Five young actors have auditioned for the lead in 'Star Wars: Episode VII'.

Downton Abbey actor Ed Speleers, Attack the Block star John Boyega, Friday Night Lights' Jesse Plemons, in addition to theatre actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher, are said to be on director J.J. Abrams' shortlist to play a Jedi apprentice, according to Variety.com.

The casting delay is apparently due to executives debating whether they want an actor of a different ethnicity from the previous Caucasian leads.

Abrams is expected to cast a host of famous faces in supporting roles, including the franchise's original stars Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill.

Girls star Adam Driver is reportedly close to signing to star as a villainous Darth Vader-inspired character in the film.

The highly-anticipated sci-fi adventure was originally thought to centre on Han Solo and Princess Leia's kids, however, Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan's recent rewrite of Michael Arndt's script has allegedly altered the focus.

Filming is scheduled to start at London's Pinewood Studios in April for a December 2015 release date.