STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII Eyes Tatiana Maslany, Gina Rodriguez and Olivia Cooke for Female Lead

Lucasfilm is in the middle of casting a major role in Star Wars: Episode VIII (we'll get to that role in a second), and TheWrap reports that Tatiana Maslany, Gina Rodriguez and Olivia Cooke are the top contenders for the role.

So what's the role? Obviously spoilers ahead, but according to a report by GeekNation last week, this part is none other than Han Solo's daughter. This upsets the belief that Star Wars: The Force Awaken's Rey is actually Han's daughter. Not sure how this all sorts out at this point, but according to both GeekNation and TheWrap, Episode VIII director Rian Johnson is heavily involved in casting this role. TheWrap reports that the actresses auditioning for this part are doing chemistry-reads with John Boyega.

If I had to pick a favorite from this trio of actresses, I'd put my money on Maslany. This isn't the first time that the Orphan Black actress has been in the mix for Star Wars casting. Maslany was a finalist for the lead role in Rogue One: A Star Wars story back in January. That role went to Felicity Jones, but if Maslany is back in the mix for Episode VIII (and for what will most likely be a much more integral role in Star Wars mythology), the people at Lucasfilm must really want to be in the Tatiana Maslany business.

Star Wars: Episode VIII is slated to open on May 26, 2017. Whoever wins this coveted role will join Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac and possibly Benicio del Toro.