According to Collider actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Beyond The Lights, Belle) has landed a key role in Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: Episode VIII.
The film has already begun production and casting has been underway for weeks, with actresses such Tatiana Malsny and Gina Rodriguez previously linked for another part in the film. That part was said to be testing opposite with John Boyega’s Finn.
They aren’t claiming this is the same role those two were being looked at for, and we’ve heard multiple times from insiders and Lucasfilm that we’ll be seeing a larger female presence in the Star Wars universe, which leads me to believe there will be more than just one new female cast member added to the eighth installment.
Although, Latino Review seems to think she is, but that might not be the case. Lucasfilm is notorious for keeping roles secret, to the point Benicio Del Toro has no idea what his role actually is in the film.
Del Toro, is the only new addition that has been confirmed, and it’s likely Collider has jumped the gun, and Lucasfilm is meeting with multiple actresses, that might just happen to include Gugu. Until a trade chimes-in, let’s be cautious with this excellent news. We’ll know for sure once Lucasfilm starts making the casting announcements via the official Star Wars website.
Are you excited for more Star Wars, and as excited as we are at the up-and-coming talent Lucasfilm has been looking at for lead roles?
SOURCE: COLLIDER