Though we still have a few more months before Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters, the pieces are already coming together for its follow-up, Star Wars: Episode VIII. TheWrap brings word that casting is underway for the female lead of the film, with the shortlist including Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”), Golden Globe nominee and former “Rogue One” hopeful Tatiana Maslany (“Orphan Black”), and Olivia Cooke (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl).
The outlet reports that the actresses are among a few other unnamed potentials auditioning for the role. They will take part in a chemistry-read with Star Wars: The Force Awakens star John Boyega by the end of the month. Production on the film is set to begin early next year.
Very little is known about the eighth “Saga” chapter of the hugely successful sci-fi fantasy franchise other than that Johnson is attached to both write and direct and Guardians of the Galaxy star Benicio Del Toro is confident he’ll appear as the villain. The film, set for release May 26, 2017, will be produced by Ram Bergman and Kathleen Kennedy and will follow both J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens as well as the franchise’s first “anthology” film, director Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
