Just a group of actors that I thought would be great in the next trilogy. I tried to stay away from obvious choices (Cumberbatch, Fassbender, Hardy, or Hiddleston as a Sith Lord). I also didn't want to do any double-dipping, i.e. two actors from the same tv show or movie.
1. Saoirse Ronan
Previous Work: Atonement, The Lovely Bones, Hanna
Why she's qualified: This Irish actress has proven she can carry a movie with her lead roles in Lovely Bones and Hanna. She is also attractive without being distractingly beautiful.
Possible role: The hero. Everything needed from the next Skywalker can be found in Ronan's performance in Hanna. A mix of innocence and an inner darkness that will play perfectly into the Star Wars mythology. We also know that she could handle the physicality of the role due to her turn in Hanna as well as what we've seen from trailers of The Host.
Runner up: Immogen Poots
2. Peter Dinklage
Previous Work: Game of Thrones
Why he's qualified: Tyrion Lannister. Nuff Said.
Possible role: The mentor. Dinklage could easily fill the shoes of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. He definitely has the chops to bring the gravitas and mystery that would be needed for the role. Like Obi-Wan in New Hope, it would be interesting to see a Jedi talk and manipulate his way out of situations and use his lightsaber as a last resort.
Runner up: Joshua Jackson
3. Michael B. Jordan
Previous Work: The Wire, Friday Night Lights, Chronicle
Why he's qualified: Coming off his performance in Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner, Fruitvale, Jordan has gotten praise for his roles in the Wire, Friday Night Lights, and Chronicle. His work in the aforementioned Fruitvale reportedly brought many people to tears, and he is getting early Oscar buzz.
Possible role: The rogue. If the absence of a rogue in the prequel trilogy is any indication than this character is a must have for the Episode 7. In most of Jordan's roles he brings an undeniable likability to very flawed characters.
Runner up: Garrett Hedlund
4. Dichen Lachman
Previous Work: Dollhouse, Being Human U.S.
Why she's qualified: Whatever you think of the show, Lachman's work on Dollhouse is incredible. She outclassed the show's lead actress on a regular basis. The concept of Dollhouse had her playing many different characters, meaning she can play just about an role.
Possible role: The Sith apprentice. Like I said she could play any role really but I think her unique look would make for an interesting Sith lord. Also there has never been a female Sith on the big screen. (Doing research for this article made me realize how big of a sausage fest the Star Wars movies have been).
Runner up: Summer Glau
5. Samantha Barks
Previous Work: Les Miserables
Why she's qualified: Barks had a very endearing turn in Les Miserables.
Possible role: The princess. Not a literal princess like Leia, but a young woman of high station. Barks would do a good job of being simultaneously regal and adventurous.
Runner up: Felicity Jones
6. Pierce Gagnon
Previous Work: Looper
Why he's qualified: Much like the previously mentioned Saoirse Ronan, Gagnon's did a admirable job of being both innocent and scary in Looper.
Possible role: The prodigy. I know what your thinking. Jake Lloyd. I can assure you that young Gagnon is no Jake Lloyd. I like the idea of having a super powerful force user who teeters between the light and the dark, and also happens to be a little kid.
Runner up: Quvenzhane Wallis
7. Kaya Scodelario
Previous Work: Skins, Wuthering Heights
Why she's qualified: This British actress has done fine work in both the teen series Skins, as well as the powerful Wuthering Heights.
Possible role: The corrupted. In order to make the dark side a actual threat someone had to be corrupted. For this role I nominate Scodelario, who has shown in Skins that she can play a character spinning out of control.
Runner up: Nicholas Hoult
8. Joseph Gilgun
Previous Work: Misfits, Lockout
Why he's qualified: His role as Rudy in Misfits is a revelation.
Possible role: The bounty hunter. There's nothing better to spice things up than a morally ambiguous character, and Joseph Gilgun is the man for the job. In Misfits he plays three different versions of his character, a perverted funny man, a sensitive introvert, and a homicidal psychopath. Funny, dangerous, and likable are the traits that could make him a movie stealer.
Runner up: Walton Goggins
9. Andy Serkis
Previous Work: LOTR, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Hobbit
Why he's qualified: He's the best motion capture actor ever.
Possible role: The non-human. It might be a robot or it might be an alien but there's going to be at least one non-human major character. Who better to bring him to life than the man who brought us Gollum and Cesar.
Runner up: None
10. Matt Smith
Previous Work: Doctor Who
Why he's qualified: His complex role as the 11th Doctor has allowed Smith to show of his range.
Possible role: Sith master. Even though Smith is relatively young, he exudes the wisdom and complicated depth of a much older being on Doctor Who. His face is also very distinguishable, which would allow him to act through prosthetics, i.e. Ron Pearlman in Hellboy.
Runner up: Idris Elba
11. David Strathairn
Previous Work: Bourne Series, Lincoln, Alphas
Why he's qualified: This character actor's work in tv and film has garnered him many award nominations and wins over the years.
Possible role: The non-Sith villain. I can see Strathairn playing a sleazy middleman, maybe a member of the remnants of the empire.
Runner up: Robert Carlyle
That's the list! Let me know what you think of my choices and hit me with some choices of your own.