Only a few months remain until Star Wars: The Force Awakens arrives, but eyes have long since moved ahead to what comes next. Casting is pretty much complete on Anthology film, Rogue One, but there's still the matter of finding a new female lead for Star Wars: Episode VIII. According to The Wrap, the shortlist of contenders may have been narrowed down to three, and they're all choices that come with big fan followings
Olivia Cooke, Tatiana Maslany, and Gina Rodriguez are said to be on the shortlist of actresses that writer/director Rian Johnson will be auditioning. They'll be among those who will be coming in for a chemistry read with star John Boyega, whose character apparently survives 'The Force Awakens'. Cooke is best known for her recurring role on Bates Motel and the acclaimed film Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. Maslany has a huge following as the star of Orphan Black, and she was also up for the lead in Rogue One before it went to Felicity Jones. Rodriguez won a Golden Globe for her performance in Jane the Virgin.
Other than Benicio Del Toro's confidence he'll be the villain, little is actually known about Star Wars: Episode VIII except that it will open on May 26th 2017.
