Back in October, it was rumoured that Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin), Olivia Cooke (Bates Motel) and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Doctor Who, Belle) were up for the part of a female lead in next year’s Star Wars: Episode VIII, with Collider then claiming that Mbatha-Raw has secured the role.
Well, The Wrap’s Jeff Sneider is now suggesting on Meet the Movie Press that Mbatha-Raw has not joined the sequel, and is no longer under consideration. However, he went on to claim that Rodriguez is still in the frame, as is a new name in Bel Powley, star of Diary of a Teenage Girl.
With Episode VIII expected to start shooting this month, expect plenty of casting news and rumours in the coming weeks…
SEE ALSO: Rumour: Hayden Christensen returning for Star Wars: Episode VIII and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Star Wars: Episode VIII will hit theaters on May 26 2017, with Rian Johnson (Looper) directing.
Originally published January 9, 2016. Updated April 15, 2018.
