Domhnall Gleeson Jokes About His Star Wars Role: "I Didn't Know They Had Redheads in Space!"

Domhnall Gleeson played Bill Weasley in both Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows films, but the coveted role didn't give him the recognition that Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe or Emma Watson got. "Nobody on the street has ever stopped me from Harry Potter!" Gleeson says. "People stop me for a comedy sketch I did where I was shitting in a bottle—that's what people back home recognize me for."

Gleeson's anonymity won't last long. After all, he's one of several actors appearing in the highly anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII. While the 31-year-old Irish actor can't disclose the details of his involvement—who can?—he does jokingly tell Vulture, "I didn't know they had redheads in space!"

How will the Frank star keep his role under wraps until December 2015?

"My brother gave me some really good advice about it. He said, 'Don't tell anybody, because if you tell one person, it won't feel as bad to tell a second person. If you tell no one, everything will be okay.' So I've told no one, and it's working out fine," he says. "I do feel a wave come over me when I hear those two words, 'Star' and 'Wars,' said together. I feel tense, shut up, and stare into the middle distance."

VIDEO: Domhnall Gleeson spill Star Wars secrets

The cast, which features Adam Driver and Lupita Nyong'o in new roles, is bringing their A-game.

"It's just phenomenal. I am pragmatic, I think, when it comes to work, and the reason for me to do the film isn't because it's Star Wars," he says. "The reason for me to do the film is because it's being directed by J.J. Abrams! It's because Lawrence Kasdan is involved! It's because of all those actors—God, Oscar Isaac is going to be in it...You want to work with the best people, so it's just an absolute joy to be a part of it."