Saoirse Ronan was a guest on the Empire podcast this week, and on top of a variety of other subjects, she was (of course) asked about her audition for Star Wars Episode VII. The Irish actress doesn't spill TOO much, but what she does say is pretty interesting.
“Yeah, I did [audition for Star Wars Episode VII]… I don’t know whether I should have said that now! I mean, everyone did. Everyone has auditioned for it. So many people I know have gone in for the part I’ve gone in for, and guys who’ve gone in for a particular part, so I’d imagine J.J. is probably just scanning the earth to find the people that he needs. But nobody has a clue what it’s about, and nobody’s read the script. So I’ve gone in and read for it, but I have to say, I think it’s the only time I’ve ever thought, ‘You know what? Even if I don’t get it, I had so much fun auditioning, pretending to take out a lightsaber – out of a bag, kind of inspect it and not know what it is. That was… that was great. A lightsaber! Star Wars!”
So, can we assume that whatever character she's reading for takes out a lighsaber and inspects it at some point in the movie? Actually, not even that! It may well just have been a random action the actors were told to perform for the audition. Still, you never know! It's also interesting that Abrams is casting such a wide net to fill these roles...has anyone in a certain age bracket NOT read for this? You can listen to the podcast in full below.