‘Star Wars: Episode 8’ Cast: Gugu Mbatha-Raw To Play Female Lead? Vying For Two Roles In Saga

Rumor has it that British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw is the current frontrunner in playing the lead female cast in the upcoming "Star Wars: Episode 8," according to Screen Crush.

The rumor mill has been at it for the longest time since the announcement of the upcoming "Star Wars" films, churning different pieces information especially with regard to its cast. The cast for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" has been confirmed with the revelation of its first official set photo, but it looks like there's more where the "Star Wars: Episode 8" cast is involved.

"Jupiter Ascending" actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw is allegedly in the running to be the lead female in the Rian Johnson film, according to an exclusive report by Latino Review. Mbatha-Raw is the fourth name to be dropped with regard to the "Star Wars: Episode 8" cast.

Previously, three other actresses have been mentioned to be playing the lead female role in the "Star Wars" movie including Tatiana Maslany ("Orphan Black"), Gina Rodriguez ("Jane the Virgin"), and Olivia Cooke ("Me, Earl and the Dying Girl"), MovieWeb wrote.

This piece of information has yet to be confirmed by Lucasfilm, but basing it on the previous rumors surrounding the other "Star Wars" movies, it seems that the studio will not be revealing anything any time soon.

Furthermore, instead of just vying for one part in "Star Wars: Episode 8," the original report via Cinemablend stated that aforementioned actresses will be competing for, not one, but two roles. No further details have been mentioned with regard to the role, but speculations say that more or less, said roles will be important.

On the other hand, Mbatha-Raw first began her career in 2005 and has taken on a critically-acclaimed role in the show "Beyond the Lights."