With allegedly set to play the villain of "Star Wars: Episode VII," attention has turned to the series' new hero.

Five new names are in the mix to play one of the lead characters in director J.J. Abrams' upcoming installment of the "Star Wars" films. The role is expected to be a Jedi apprentice, according to Variety — and one of the actors in contention is already a familiar quantity where the "Star Wars" rumor mill is concerned.

Up first, Jesse Plemons. The "Breaking Bad" and "Friday Night Lights" veteran was mentioned as a "Star Wars" contender as far back as January, with rumors suggesting he could play Luke Skywalker's son, or at least his trainee. Whatever the case, it appears he remains in the mix.

Next, John Boyega. He's best known for his starring role in "Attack the Block," written and directed by Joe Cornish, once rumored to take over the "Star Trek" director reins from Abrams. That strange bit of symmetry aside, Boyega was an absolute all-star in "Attack the Block," breaking out as a fully-realized action star dealing with self-doubting insecurity. He's an excellent, left-of-center pick for "Star Wars," should Abrams and Disney pick him for the film's lead.

The other three actors are less exposed than Plemons and Boyega: "Downton Abbey" actor Ed Speleers, and stage actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher. These five actors are supposedly at "the top of the list" for the "Star Wars" lead, but it's also possible that the search is ongoing. For now, as ...

In the five-year history of MTV's Musical March Madness tournament, we've seen just about everything: threats of violence (mostly from Tokio Hotel fans), accusations of bias (entirely from Tokio Hotel fans), voter fraud so rampant Vladimir Putin took note, that one year Coheed and Cambria won ...

But we've never, ever seen something like this: Ed Sheeran has announced that he will not defend his Musical March Madness title, making him the first champion to abdicate the throne.

Why is he walking away from MMM? Turns out he's grown tired of the grind, and is looking to retire from competition. And unlike most of his contemporaries, Sheeran plans on staying retired.

"This isn't going to be like a Jay Z thing, I'm actually going to retire undefeated," he told MTV News. "The award is on my windowsill and it's very exciting but I just found it stressed people out too much last year, so ... I'm retiring from competition. God bless America."

Sorry, Sheerios, Ed's out, which means that once again, there will be no repeat champion in MMM. Though, before he stepped off the throne, Sheeran did perform one final duty as champ: He nominated someone to take his place in the 2014 tournament.

View and share this year's #MMM bracket!

"I'm going to nominate

Of course, before Passenger can take home the title, he's got to make the tournament. And though Sheeran's word carries considerable weight, it'll be up to you to determine if his pal makes the big dance.

Because this ...

The girl with the dragon tattoo has set her sights on Neverland.

Rooney Mara, perhaps best known for playing computer hacker Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher's "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," is reportedly in negotiations to star in "Pan," Warner Bros. and director Joe Wright's adaptation of the Peter Pan legend.

According to TheWrap.com, Mara would play Tiger Lily, a tribal princess and ally of Pan's, and a sworn enemy of Captain Hook.

Assuming negotiations pan out, Mara becomes the latest high-profile name aboard Wright's unconventional retelling of the Peter Pan origin. The film is said to focus on Peter's transformation from an unassuming London youth to the care-free hero of folk lore legend. That journey involves Pan working side-by-side with a young man who will eventually become known as Captain Hook, played by "Tron Legacy" and "On the Road" actor Garrett Hedlund.

Although Hook and Pan eventually become enemies, the two begin as friends, operating on behalf of the nefarious pirate Blackbeard — a role that's been carved out for "Wolverine" veteran Hugh Jackman. The role of Peter Pan remains uncast.

"Pan" is currently scheduled to fly into theaters on July 17, 2015. It's a well-worn release date by now; Warner Bros. and director Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel" sequel was previously expected to soar on that date, before moving to May 2016. Marvel's "Ant-Man" is now scheduled to compete opposite "Pan."

What do you make of Mara's casting as Tiger Lily?

Rap and retirement are like oil and water. While most MCs have had a hard time staying retired, Lil Wayne insists that his upcoming Tha Carter V will be his last solo LP.

Then again, he'd be willing to make a rather lucrative exception.

"25 to 35 million would get me to do another solo album after this," Weezy told MTV News after taking a deep breath and a second to think out his answer.

"I didn't smile when I said it," he pointed out to us in an effort to show just how serious he really is.

For someone who is looking to take a break, Wayne remains very busy. On Tuesday he released Young Money: Rise of An Empire, a compilation album that shows off the talents of his expansive roster with contributions from artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga as well as newcomers Euro, PJ Morton and Chanel West Coast.

MTV News caught up with Weezy on the set of the latest single from the Rise of an Empire LP and while he was fully focused on the task at hand, he did look forward to life after rap.

"I personally plan on this being my final solo album, yes and it's definitely the final Carter album. It's the final Carter album. It's stopping at five," he assured us of the LP, which is slated to be released on May 5, though we here from a source that date may change.

But Wayne won't fully hang up his mic, as he'll still treat fans to guest features, especially when it ...

We've already listened to Pharrell's G I R L on repeat, and soon, we'll be able to douse it all over ourselves -- well, sort of.

The Grammy-winning producer is teaming up with Japanese fashion label Comme Des Garcons to create a "Girl" fragrance for men and women, in conjunction with his second solo album.

And given the fact that he's reportedly known exactly what it will smell like since the beginning and that he's admitted his senses are "kind of connected," we can probably expect his "Girl" perfume to be something like his second solo album -- lighthearted, dazzling and, most importantly,

"As one of my favorite designers once said, 'Comme des Garçons is your favorite designers' favorite designer...the top of the top, the best of the best,'" Williams told Women's Wear Daily. "I am so honored to be working with Comme des Garçons and cherish the education that I've experienced in this collaboration."

"Girl" will hit stores in September.

When Swedish House Mafia announced in June 2012 that their One Last Tour run was in fact ... the last for the band, fans were saddened. The split seemed entirely out of touch with the EDM trio's mounting critical and commercial success, and it left much of the industry and their supporters just as puzzled by the decision.

Finally, though, some questions are being answered. On Wednesday (March 12), the documentary "Leave the World Behind" had its world premiere at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, giving fans an inside look at the events the led up to the group's last show at Ultra Music Festival. (Advance previews and nationwide screenings kick off this month.)

The doc starts with a quick recap of SHM's history together, jumping off with Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso listening to Daft Punk's "Homework" in Ingrosso's dad's office. From there, the film shows them rounding out their trio with the addition of Axwell to become self-proclaimed best friends and the super group known as Swedish House Mafia.

As the doc follows the group from city to city on their One Last Tour, the story of their decision to call it quits unfolds.

In a memorable scene from 2011, the dance music DJ/producers head to Australia to finish working on what would become their most popular song, "Don't You Worry Child." When Angello disappears from writing to get a tattoo, it's clear for the first time that there's mounting tension between them. Axwell is particularly heated about Angello's absence, and as the documentary ...

What do One Direction, Ariana Grande, Flo Rida, Austin Mahone, Ryan Seacrest and, um Larry King have in common?

Nothing, really, except they are among the dozen-plus celebs who make cameos in a new all-star edition of the video for Jason DeRulo's hit, "Talk Dirty."

The "Celebrities Talkin' Dirty" clip dropped on Wednesday (March 14) and like Carly Rae Jepsen's star-packed "Call Me Maybe" video and Bonnie McKee's A-list "American Girl," DeRulo clearly called in a bunch of favors for the second clip for Middle Eastern-vibed top 5 Billboard hit.

Who answered his call?
1. One Direction — at various points we see Niall Horan (in his underwear!) and Harry Styles dancing shirtless while Liam Payne and Zayn Malik bust some backstage moves in the green room.
2. Fifth Harmony — The girls shake it for the camera.
3. Trevor Moran — The YouTube star shows off his swag in a tuxedo.
4. Ariana Grande — Just flipping her hair.
5. Austin Mahone — Showing Jason his MC Hammer dance.
6. Larry King — The legendary interviewer read the lyrics, "I'm that flight that you get on ... international."
7. Emblem3 — The "X Factor" trio get down with DeRulo in their dressing room.
8. will.i.am — Mouthing the lyrics about flying internationally in first class ... on his lap.
9. Tyler Posey — Getting down to the song on the red carpet.
10. Ryan Seacrest — Goofing off at the radio station.
11. Maxwell — The Z100 DJ can't get enough.
12. Janoskians — The Australian YouTube stars known for their gross-out pranks are all over this thing.
13. Keenan ...