'Star Wars: Episode 8' news: Rian Johnson hard at work on the trilogy; three actresses shortlisted

(Lucasfilm/ Disney)

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" has yet to premiere, but it seems Disney, Lucasfilm and director, Rian Johnson, are already hard at work for its upcoming sequel, to be released in May 2017.

Episode seven, "The Force Awakens," episode eight and episode nine have been envisioned as a trilogy, much like the original "Star Wars" trilogy. Despite the decades that have passed, the new movies still aspire to feature the themes that were inherent in the original series. "We're looking, obviously, for aspiration, for characters who are conflicted between good and evil, dark and light," Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy, said.

While not much is known about the plot of "Star Wars: Episode 8," there are already story arcs mapped out by J.J. Abrams, director of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," that will be continued by Johnson. "It's a thrill to see [Johnson] take things and elevate them beyond what we had imagined at the time," Abrams said.

Johnson, who also wrote the script, was said to have started from scratch. While he was inspired by the direction that Abrams had taken, "Episode 8" in its entirety will be Johnson's own work.

Johnson has been reported to already be looking for the film's new female lead, who will join returning characters from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

According to The Wrap, a reputable source has revealed that three actresses have been chosen as top contenders for the role.

The first actress, Gina Rodriguez, is known for her Emmy Award winning role as Jane Villanueva, in the CW comedy, "Jane the Virgin."

Tatiana Maslany, joins her as the second actress supposedly shortlisted for the role. Maslany is also an Emmy and Golden Globe nominee for her dynamic acting skills on "Orphan Black." Maslany was also revealed to have been considered for the female lead role in the "Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One," which eventually went to Felicity Jones.

Less known but equally as talented, Olivia Cooke is the third actress up for the role. Cooke is gaining buzz as an actress after her portrayal as a young cancer patient in "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl," which was a big winner during the Sundance Film Festival.

While it's still the early stages of the casting process, the three actresses will reportedly have an upcoming chemistry-read with "The Force Awakens" star, John Boyega.

Speculations regarding the female lead character include being a love interest for Boyega's character, Finn, or even possibly being the daughter of Han Solo.

Whoever among the three actresses will land the coveted role; she will be joining Benicio del Toro who is reportedly in talks to play the film's villain. del Toro is said to be finalizing his deal for the movie.

Disney declined to comment on this matter for now.

"Star Wars: Episode 8" is scheduled to premiere on May 26, 2017.

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