Star Wars: Producers to hold open auditions in UK and Ireland for Episode VII roles

Casting note reveals plot details about the upcoming film

Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill in Star Wars (AP)

Open auditions for Star Wars: Episode VII are taking place in the UK and Ireland over the next fortnight, according to a casting call posted online.

Two of the lead roles in the JJ Abrams-directed film have yet to be cast, and producers are on the lookout for a "beautiful" and "athletic" young actress and a "handsome, smart" young actor.

Potential cast members will meet the casting directors in Bristol this weekend. The auditions will then move on to Manchester, Glasgow, Dublin and London.

The call was announced on the Twitter account @UKopencall, alerting potential stars to a "nationwide search for lead roles for a Disney movie".

Disney bought Lucasfilm last year, and has since ordered a new Star Wars film for 2015.

But not everyone should audition: the casting note had some specific criteria.

The role of "Rachel" (unlikely to be the character's real name) is open to all ethnicities, but the actress must be over 16.

The character "was quite young when she lost her parents. With no other family she was forced to make her way in tough, dangerous town. Now 17, she has become street smart and strong. She is able to take care of herself using humour and guts to get by".

The casting call continues: "Always a survivor, never a victim, she remains hopeful that she can move away from this harsh existence to a better life. She is always thinking of what she can do to move ahead."

The film is also looking for a man aged 18 or over to play "Thomas", who is aged between 19 and 23.

He "has grown up without a father's influence, without the model of being a man," the note says.

"He doesn't have the strongest sense of himself. Despite this he is smart, capable and shows courage when it is needed. He can appreciate the absurdities in life and understands you can't take life too seriously."