It was revealed recently that a number of actresses were testing for the lead role in Godzilla director Gareth Edwards’ 2016 Star Wars spinoff. Plot details are still scarce, with conflicting reports about a group of bounty hunters and/or “pirates” being hired by the Rebels to hunt down and steal the plans of the first Death Star.
Anyway, reports at the time mentioned that The Theory of Everything’s Felicity Jones was being considered, but various sites are now reporting that she’s in talks and has landed the lead role in the Star Wars spinoff.
The British actress has beaten competition which included Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Rooney Mara (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), and Mackenzie Davis (Halt And Catch Fire). That’s an impressive list of names, and Disney couldn’t have really gone wrong with any of these leading ladies as they’re all great.
Interestingly, the report also mentions that Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul and Edgar Ramirez (Deliver Us From Evil) are among those being eyed for the lead male role. Paul was at one point rumoured to be up for Han Solo, but that still seems unlikely, especially if he’s being looked at for the same character as Ramirez.
The Star Wars spinoff is now being written by Chris Weitz following Gary Whitta’s departure upon completion of the first draft. It will be released next December, a year after Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
