Originally published January 9, 2016. Updated April 15, 2018.
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.
