Tatiana Maslany, Gina Rodriguez, & Olivia Cooke Lead Shortlist For STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is still about three and a half months out, but there's no stopping the force, and now a new report has revealed a shortlist for the female lead in the next Rian Johnson-directed film of the trilogy. Come check it out! Plus, find out who they're reading with!
The Wrap has just revealed a shortlist for the new female lead in Disney/Lucasfilm's next Star Wars sequel, the Rian Johnson-directed Star Wars: Episode VIII; that shortlist includes Golden Globe nominee Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez (Jane The Virgin), and relative newcomer Olivia Cooke (Me And Earl And The Dying Girl).
The Wrap also adds that it's still fairly early days for casting, as Johnson is currently in the process of auditioning several young up-and-coming actresses. A few of these yet-to-audition actresses, along with Maslany, Cooke, & Rodriguez, will then be among a group of women slated to read opposite Star Wars: The Force Awakens star John Boyega sometime before the end of the month.
Tatiana Maslany, best known for her multiple critically acclaimed performances on the clone drama Orphan Black, was a finalist for the lead role in Gareth Edwards' Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, a role that eventually went to Felicity Jones (The Theory Of Everything). She just wrapped the indie Two Lovers And A Bear with Dane DeHaan (The Amazing Spider-Man 2). Gina Rodriguez, best known for her title role in the CW comedy Jane The Virgin, will next be seen in Deepwater Horizon with Mark Wahlberg (The Departed) & Dylan O'Brien (The Maze Runner). Olivia Cooke, best known for her role on the drama Bates Motel, recently received much praise for her role as a young cancer patient in Me And Earl And The Dying Girl. She'll next be seen in the indie drama Katie Says Goodbye.
Additionally, Academy Award-winner Benicio del Toro (Sicario) has already been confirmed to be in talks for the lead villain role. Production on the film is expected to start early 2016.
What do you guys think? Who do you want to land this new lead role? Sound off with your thoughts below!
Star Wars: Episode VIII reawakens the force May 26, 2017