‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’ Casting Shortlist: Tatiana Maslany, Gina Rodriguez, and Olivia Cooke
Haven’t we already danced the dance of temptation regarding Tatiana Maslany and Star Wars? If I recall correctly, she was up for a role in Rogue One. And now she’s back. In conversations for a significant role in Episode VIII. Getting me excited, again.
Apparently, director Rian Johnson is thisclose to choosing the female lead forStar Wars: Episode VIII, and a shortlist has emerged. And that shortlist is making me tear my hair out! Orphan Black‘s Tatiana Maslany, Jane the Virgin‘s Gina Rodriguez, and Olivia Cooke of Bates Motel are all up for the role! We still don’t know what the role is, but as several insiders told The Wrap, all three ladies will be doing chemistry reads with John Boyega by the end of this month.
Now, we all know how brilliant Maslany is on Orphan Black. She plays multiple characters on one show, and she was already in the running for another Star Wars lead in Rogue One before the part went to Felicity Jones.
BUT, Rodriguez is brilliant on Jane the Virgin, and has proven her acting chops both on that show and in indie film. What’s more, it’d be nice to see more non-white faces in the Star Wars universe, don’t you think.
I’m the least familiar with Cooke’s work. Which, of course, probably means she’ll get the role, ’cause she’s probably brilliant, and I just don’t know about it.