Just who could be our female lead in STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII?

We’re just three and a half months away (18 December!) from the highly anticipated release of the next installment in the epic Star Wars saga – Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. I’m expecting it to blow all of this year’s current top performers, the likes of Jurassic World and Avengers: Age of Ultron, clear out of the water – it’s Star Wars, and it’s looking good.

But once that wraps up, the next time Star Wars hits the screen it’ll be in the form of the first of three spin-offs, Rogue One, and after that will be Star Wars Episode VIII: Dawn of Justice. Rian Johnson (Looper) will be writing and directing the latter film, the next chapter in the new, new trilogy and according to TheWrap he’s already lined up three excellent young actresses to fill the female lead role. While some of their sources say additional actresses will still be auditioned, and all will perform a read with The Force Awakens’ John Boyega later this month, these three currently appear to have the inside track.

First up is Tatiana Maslany, who’s currently killing it in the science fiction TV series Orphan Black where she plays all five main lead roles… because clones. She’s demonstrated excellent versatility in the role and is no slouch when it comes to action. Maslany also narrowly lost out to Felicity Jones as the female lead in the aforementioned Rogue One, so she must have impressed during those auditions to be considered for a lead role in Episode VIII.

Secondly recent Golden Globe winner for the comedy series Jane the Virgin, Gina Rodriguez, is also being considered. She’s widely regarded as a rising star in the industry and will appear next year opposite the likes of Kurt Russell, John Malkovich and Marky Mark Wahlberg in the action-drama Deepwater Horizon, the movie about the oil rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 and caused the worst oil spill in US history.

Last, but certainly not least, is Olivia Cooke. She currently stars in Bates Motel, and is in the running for the female lead role in Ready Player One – to be directed by Steven Spielberg. She drew much acclaim for her role as Rachel in the comedy-drama Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, as the titular latter, which won the Grand Jury and Audience Awards at the recent Sundance Film Festival.

All three are excellent actresses whose stars have been rising over the last few years. There’s not even a hint of a detail about what the role will entail or even who they could potentially play though.

So, Star Wars fans, who would you like to see them appear as?

Last Updated: September 2, 2015