<P> Beginning in September 2013, production spaces at the Bad Robot facility were converted for shooting of The Force Awakens for the benefit of shooting a minor portion of the film in the United States . The film's costume designer was Michael Kaplan, who had previously worked with Abrams on Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness films . Film editors Mary Jo Markey and Maryann Brandon, also long - term collaborators with Abrams, were also signed . In August 2013, it was announced that cinematographer Daniel Mindel would be shooting the film on 35 mm film (specifically Kodak 5219). In October 2013, other crew members were confirmed, including sound designer Ben Burtt, director of photography Daniel Mindel, production designers Rick Carter and Darren Gilford, costume designer Michael Kaplan, special effects supervisor Chris Corbould, re-recording mixer Gary Rydstrom, supervising sound editor Matthew Wood, visual effects supervisor Roger Guyett, and executive producer Jason McGatlin . </P> <P> Casting began around August 2013, with Abrams meeting with potential actors for script readings and screen tests . Open auditions were held in the UK, Ireland, and the United States in November 2013 for the roles of Rachel and Thomas . Casting began in earnest in January 2014, because of changes to the script by Kasdan and Abrams . Screen tests with actors continued until at least three weeks before the official announcement on April 29, 2014, with final casting decisions made only a few weeks prior . Actors testing had strict non-disclosure agreements, preventing them, their agents or publicists from commenting on their potential involvement . </P> <P> Though Lucas intimated that previous cast members Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, and Mark Hamill would return for the new film as early as March 2013, their casting was not confirmed until over a year later . Saoirse Ronan, Michael B. Jordan, and Lupita Nyong'o auditioned for new characters; industry publications reported Jesse Plemons was considered, possibly for Luke Skywalker's son; Adam Driver for an unnamed villain; and Maisie Richardson - Sellers for an unknown character . In March 2014, actor Dominic Monaghan said that Abrams was looking for three unknown actors to play the leads in The Force Awakens and that rumors of bigger - name stars were untrue . </P> <P> Daisy Ridley was chosen for the film by February 2014, and by the end of that month a deal had been worked out with Driver, who was able to work around his Girls schedule . By March 2014, talks with Andy Serkis and Oscar Isaac began and continued into April 2014 . In April, John Boyega began talks after dropping out of a Jesse Owens biopic . Denis Lawson, who played Wedge Antilles in the original trilogy, declined to reprise his role, stating that it would have "bored" him . </P>

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