Gleeson goes evil for ‘Star Wars’ epic

It took a Hollywood blockbuster to do it, but Domhnall Gleeson has officially been lured to the dark side.

The first pictures have been released from the eagerly awaited Star Wars: The Force Awakens, due out in December, which clearly show Gleeson wearing a sharp, black outfit befitting his evil character, General Hux.

The pictures were first issued as teasers at Comic Con, but have now been released to the public.

Speaking about the role at Comic Con, Gleeson said: “I’m evil. I mean, I’m British [in the film], so yeah.”

Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’. The Dublin actor has confirmed that he plays a villain in the film.

The 32-year-old from Malahide will get to star alongside Star Wars veterans Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill in the new movie.

“It’s a huge honour and a little bit scary to take it on yourself, it’s a bit mad,” he told hordes of excited fans at Comic Con.

Among other things, the latest batch of images include fellow baddie Kylo Ren (Adam Driver from Girls) sporting the controversial modified lightsaber, and Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie of Game of Throne fame). We also get to see some of the film’s heroes such as Finn (John Boyega) and Rey (Daisy Ridley) along with her droid BB-8. Firm favourites R2-D2, C-3PO and Chewbacca are also set to return to the big screen for the latest instatement directed by JJ Abrams.

Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and some stormtroopers get up to no good.

Gleeson is not the only Irish star in the film, with Skellig Micheal in Co Kerry set to be a real scene stealer when it features in a story line involving Luke Skywalker, played by Hamill.

The Irish Examiner revealed last month that filming of the second Star Wars film is set to take place next month, with all of the boats ferrying tourists to the heritage site booked up by the film makers.

Chewbacca and Han Solo are set to return in new movie.

The decision to allow Skellig to be used as a film set last year for a three-day shoot attracted strong criticism from heritage and wildlife groups. Other people who work on or have an interest in the island, such as Skellig guides and staff affiliated to the Office of Public Works, also expressed concern.

So too did Unesco, which wrote to the Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, wanting to know what steps had been taken to ensure protection of ‘the cultural property and ecological environment’ of the island throughout the duration of the filming.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens December 18.

Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and some stormtroopers get up to no good.