Star Wars producers issue casting call for young African-American actress to play key female role in director J.J Abrams' final instalment
The Resistance are currently on the run in a galaxy far, far away, but casting calls for the ninth instalment in the hugely popular Star Wars franchise are happening close to home as producers look for a new female actress.
The science fiction film series is reportedly searching for new cast-members to fill key roles in the yet to be titled Star Wars: Episode IX, the third and possibly last film to be released by Disney Studios following their purchase of the franchise for £2.5 billion ($4.05 billion) from LucasFilm in 2012.
One key role is believed to be that of Caro, with casting director Nina Gold anxious to find a woman suitable for the part before filming begins in July, according to That Hashtag Show.
On the hunt: The Resistance are currently on the run in a galaxy far, far away, but casting calls for the ninth instalment in the hugely popular Star Wars franchise are happening close to home as producers look for a new female actress (pictured, Daisy Ridley as Rey in The Force Awakens)
It’s understood that Gold’s preference is for a young, ethnic actress of African-American descent between the ages of 18-26 to play the character, who has been described as 'a leader and problem solver, smart with a great sense of humor and a strong will. All this comes to her effortlessly.'
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Another new female addition has been named as Mara - a name familiar with fans of the franchise's expanded universe of spin-off novels.
Those with sharp memories will remember Mara Jade, a reformed assassin who falls in love with and subsequently marries Luke Skywalker.
Casting call: The science fiction film series is reportedly searching for new cast-members to fill key roles in the yet to be titled Star Wars: Episode IX (pictured Daisy Ridley as Rey and John Boyega as Finn in The Force Awakens)
While Skywalker's fate in The Last Jedi renders that impossible, the name may well be a tip of the hat to the some of its literary universe's lesser known characters.
Director J.J Abrams will return to oversee the project following his initial work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015.
Speaking in February, the 51-year old filmmaker revealed that he has a finished screenplay for the next installment in the blockbuster franchise.
Exciting: One key role is believed to be that of Caro, with casting director Nina Gold anxious to find a woman suitable for the part before filming begins in July, according to That Hashtag Show (pictured, Daisy Ridley as Rey in The Last Jedi)
'We have a script, which is a big deal for me. It starts shooting end of July,' he announced.
Abrams had been honing the screenplay with Chris Terrio, who won a best adapted screenplay Oscar for Argo.
'Having a script in advance is something I haven’t always been lucky enough to have,' Abrams explained. 'I’m writing this with Chris Terrio, who is a genius, and I’m having a great time.'
The film is expected to go on general release on December 20, 2019.
Coming soon: The film is expected to go on general release on December 20, 2019
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