Rian Johnson’s ‘STAR WARS’ Films Get Dates; Tatiana Maslany Rumored Frontrunner For Spin-Off

Written by Christopher M

Schmoes Know, who I’ve recently mended relations with found a decent Star Wars rumor concerning Gareth Edwards’ Star Wars spin-off.

They heard via Total Geeks that Orphan Black actress Tatiana Maslany is now the frontrunner for the unnamed female lead role in the film. Being a rumor it’s pending better confirmation but it’s something to strongly consider.

In the article they also point-out an EW report that Tatiana recently dropped out of a play and was replaced by actress Amanda Seyfried, this could mean that she’s indeed getting ready to prep for the role.

Other actresses reportedly in the running include Rooney Mara, Kate Mara and Felicity Jones. It’s expected that a role like this could crossover to other spin-off installments so there’s an big commitment needed from the lead.

I have to believe that she wants this role badly after letting the Sarah Connor role in the new Terminator film go to Emilia Clarke.

Another bit of Star Wars news comes from Disney which announced dates for Rian Johnson’s (Looper, Brothers Bloom, Brick) Episode VIII and Episode IX.

Johnson is expected to write both films but is only confirmed to direct Episode VIII.

I have to imagine that they’ll eventually announce him for the second sequel but are waiting on a completed script.

Bob Iger confirmed (via The Wrap) the dates are set for 2017 and 2019. Something we knew was coming but hadn’t been made official by the studio.

“As one of the few people allowed to visit the set during filming… and one of the fewer who’s seen most of the footage… I can assure the millions of ‘Star Wars’ fans who have spent the last decade hoping for a new movie this one will be worth the wait. And it’s only the beginning of a new era of exceptional ‘Star Wars’ storytelling; next year we’ll release our first standalone movie based on these characters, followed by ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’ in 2017, and we’ll finish this trilogy with ‘Episode IX’ in 2019,”

Rian is expected to continue the ground-work created by J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan for The Force Awakens in the next two films. It’s assumed the two sequels will indeed follow the new characters rather than Luke, Leia and Han being the focus of it.

I’m totally in love with the fact Rian is going to be working within the Star Wars universe, if you get the chance check-out Looper which is currently on Netflix instant.

The spin-offs had previously been made official with Gareth Edwards’ film coming December 16th, 2016 and Josh Trank’s film coming December 2018, basically this does confirm previous reports that starting this year we’ll be getting a new Star Wars film every year.