Andy Serkis divulges some information regarding his Star Wars character

December 17th 2014, 2:20pm

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Many of the characters in STAR WARS: EPISODE VII – THE FORCE AWAKENS are still shrouded in secrecy, and one of the biggest puzzle pieces is that of the character Andy Serkis is playing. When the teaser initially hit, many believed that Benedict Cumberbatch was the man behind the voice, and were surprised to discover that it was Gollum himself, Andy Serkis. While he's out and about promoting the hell out of THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES (on which he was the second-unit director), Serkis did throw a few tidbits out regarding what he can say about the new Star Wars film.

Andy Serkis on his voice utilized in the trailer:

That is the character. There’s no digital manipulation. That’s just me. Director J.J. Abrams and [Lucasfilm president] Kathleen Kennedy told me, ‘You’re all over the trailer,’ but I didn’t know what that meant. I thought, ‘Oh great, they’re using the voice of the character I play for the trailer. That’s fantastic.’ Not thinking what that would actually translate into.

Regarding the number of characters he plays:

I can say I only play one character. The character . . . he’s been through some stuff.

Whether or not the audience will see Serkis himself or if he's doing motion capture:

I can’t say a single thing about that. I’m sorry! These things will all come out in the fullness of time, I promise. I’m not leading a band of gymnasts or acrobats.

If Star Wars film had a different subtitle at one point:

No, no, it’s always just been called Episode VII to this point. Then I knew it was called The Force Awakens. It’s very pertinent.

If Serkis' character will be getting his own action figure:

That, I hope. I’d better, I’ll tell you what.

Any Serkis' work is unparalleled in the motion capture society, but I'm rather itching to see his actual face in the likes of AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON and STAR WARS, if that be the case. There's no doubts the man has some serious talent, whether it be in front of or behind the camera, so I look forward to the gravitas he'll be lending THE FORCE AWAKENS. The teaser was exactly that, and given the excitement raised, I can't imagine what the buzz will be like when we see some of the original trilogy characters in another trailer. AGE OF ULTRON might not be a bad time to pull that off . . .

STAR WARS: EPISODE VII – THE FORCE AWAKENS will hit theaters on December 18, 2015.