Last week it was rumoured that Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Doctor Who) had joined the shortlist of female actors in contention for the lead in Star Wars: Episode VIII, and now it looks like she’s won the part.
According to Collider (who are backing up Latino Review’s original claim), Mbatha-Raw has been cast in Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: Episode VIII, although they don’t know who she is playing. An earlier report said that the shortlist also included Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin) and Olivia Cooke (Bates Motel).
Now none of this is confirmed by Disney or Lucasfilm – and it was never confirmed if Mbatha-Raw had even joined the shortlist – so this could just be a rumour for now.
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 a cast that includes Benicio Del Toro (Guardians of the Galaxy).
Originally published October 8, 2015. Updated April 14, 2018.
