R2 Wants The D Too: Forget Tom Hardy, Which Hollywood Hunks Would We Love To See Join Star Wars?

It won't be long before we saddle up to do the Kessel Run again for Rian Johnson's hotly anticipated Star Wars: Episode VIII. Newcomers to the team include Laura Dern, Benicio del Toro, and Kelly Marie Tran. However, according to the internet, could Bronson be joining Johnson? If the Twitterverse is anything to go by, #TomHardy is set to suit up as one of those shiny, white, #Stormtroopers.

Tom Hardy in space on its own sounds like the world's greatest documentary; in between getting out his "little chap" and reading bed time stories to his dog, he is one of Hollywood's hottest properties and not afraid to flash some skin. If the rumors are true, Hardy knows all too well to keep it shut in case those Disney bigwigs Force choke him for spilling the details. However, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hardy refused to either confirm or deny his involvement with Episode VIII, which usually means "Yep, I am in it."

Fans of the franchise will know that 2015's The Force Awakens was littered with cheeky celeb cameos, including Simon Pegg as Unkar Plutt and Daniel Craig as a Force-manipulated Stormtrooper. Craig's cameo was only confirmed after the film premiered, so keep your ears pinned for Hardy's raspy Bane vocals when Episode VIII is released later this year. We know #StarWars is a family-friendly franchise and unlikely to go #NSFW, but it seems such a shame to keep such a fine specimen of manhood stuck behind a plain white suit. Hardy aside, which other Hollywood heartthrobs would we love to see stick on that bulging chestplate and whip out their pulsing lightsabers?

7. Hugh Dancy

Where have I seen him? Black Hawk Down, King Arthur, Hannibal

Almost good enough to eat, Hugh Dancy has us hungry for more. While NBC's culinary "food porn" fest Hannibal may have been put out to pasture for a while, the memory of Hugh Dancy's muscular shoulders definitely has not. It is about time he was back on our screens and whisked us off to a galaxy far, far away.

6. Kit Harrington

Where have I seen him? Pompeii, Spooks: The Greater Good, Game of Thrones

Just like the audience when it comes to Rey's parentage, Jon Snow knows nothing. Game of Thrones may be infamous for its gratuitous nudity, so it seems a shame to cover up Kit Harington, however, getting Westeros's best-known bastard to whip out his wookiee is too tempting an offer.

5. Zac Efron

Where have I seen him? High School Musical, 17 Again, Baywatch

With more than enough muscle to topple the First Order on his own, the High School Musical alumnus is all grown up now. Soon to be flexing those pecks on the beach, by the looks of the trailer, there will be plenty of Efron to see when Baywatch washes ashore later this year.

4. Orlando Bloom

Where have I seen him? Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings, his leaked nudes!

We may have already seen all of Orlando while he rode that paddleboard, but as he is already a big name in the Disneyverse thanks to Pirates of the Caribbean, it wouldn't be too hard to swap sea ships for spaceships. He might just struggle to keep it in his Stormtrooper suit.

3. James Franco & Dave Franco

Where have I seen them? Pineapple Express, Spider-Man, Bad Neighbors, 21 Jump Street

Sticking with people who look a bit like Mr. Bloom, James Franco's rugged jawline would be too perfect to hide under a Trooper mask. While we are here, why not two Franco's for the price of one? James's dishy younger brother Dave can pet my Ewok any day!

2. Chris Evans

Where have I seen him? Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Fantastic Four, Captain America

Sure, Evans may currently be ruling the roost as Captain America, but with his tenure reportedly coming to an end, the 35-year-old hunk could have some free time on his hands, plus, he was just named Hollywood's "best-value" actor. Used to playing the confident man with the muscles, it might be a tight squeeze to get Evans into one of those snug Stormtrooper suits.

1. Matt Bomer

Where have I seen him? The Nice Guys, American Horror Story, White Collar

Have you got a Bomer yet? The American Horror Story hunk stole hearts and had viewers swooning thanks to his seductive turn in FX's horror anthology on Season 4 and 5. His baby blues have won over fans in the likes of White Collar and In Time. Putting that face behind a mask would be a crime against nature!

Phwoar, I don't know about you, but I think I'm in need of an ice shower down on Hoth. With boys hotter than Obi-Wan and Anakin's battle on Mustafar, Disney would be insane to hide these boys away in the ranks of the First Order. Maybe Johnson could install some Joel Schumacher-esque bat-nipples on the Stormtrooper suits for Episode VIII for a little bit of fun. As for Hardy, personally I think that his acting chops deserve more of a role than just a faceless part, but who knows, maybe he is there to give Kylo Ren elocution lessons on how to speak through a mask — there is definitely something sexy about a man in uniform.

(If you're loving the title image, check out Mattias Fahlberg's DeviantArt page here for more.)