'Star Wars Episode 7' Casting Rumors: Leonardo Dicaprio Refuses Role in New Film

Leonardo DiCaprio is reported to have passed on a role in the new "Star Wars Episode VII" film.

According to the Latino review, DiCaprio was offered a role for the new film but decided not to take it because he wants to be in "Robotech," a project that is being developed.

According to the publication, the project "takes place at a time when Earth has developed giant robots from the technology on an alien spacecraft that crashed on a South Pacific isle. Mankind is forced to use the technology to fend off three successive waves of alien invasions. The first invasion concerns a battle with a race of giant warriors who seek to retrieve their flagship's energy source known as 'protoculture,' and the planet's survival ends up in the hands of two young pilots."

DiCaprio has a history with the "Star Wars" franchise as he was touted to play Anakin Skywalker in "Episode II: Attack of the Clones." DiCaprio revealed in an interview with Shortlist that he talked to Geroge Lucas when he was casting the film in 2001. He said "I did have a meeting with George Lucas about that. I just didn't feel ready to take that dive. At that point."

In May, DiCaprio spoke to MTV and said that he loved "Star Wars," but he felt he was too old for the franchise. He explained "I'm probably a little too old. I've got to play an older Chewbacca or something like that or a tall Yoda."   

He continued, "I'm a huge 'Star Wars' fan, a huge 'Star Wars' fan. [Abrams] is an unbelievable choice. I think he's going to destroy it. I cannot wait to see what he does."

The actor also spoke about his thoughts on sequels. "It's never really a conscious effort, and it's not something I'd be closed off to doing. It's always a matter of how good the material is, and to tell you the truth, I've never really chosen projects just to switch up genres or try something that I've never tried before."

"Star Wars Episode VII" is currently in pre-production with Abrams directing and Kathleen Kennedy producing. The film is currently casting and Disney is expected to announce cast members at the D23 exposition in August.

The film will be released in 2015 with production beginning in 2014.