Who will bring victory? Gina Rodriguez, Tatiana Maslany and Olivia Cooke on 'shortlist puz female lead in Star Wars: Episode VIII

The swimming pool is reported to have narrowed down to three when it comes to who will play the female lead in the upcoming Star Wars sequel.

Actress Gina Rodriguez Images

According to a report Tuesday from TheWrap, Gina Rodriguez, Tatiana Maslany and Olivia Cooke all on the list of candidates to take the coveted role in Star Wars: Episode VIII. Source for entertainment news site reports and media that three talented young actresses are the three top contenders for the female lead role in the upcoming Rian Johnson directed a big-budget picture.

There is still some time before a decision has been made as the highly anticipated sequel is not scheduled for release until May 2017. Some people in for publication claiming that it was still the early stages of the process of casting and filmmaker 41 years is still audition up-and-comers. However, several other sources they believe that the field has been narrowed down to the three young actresses among those in the running.

In addition, they reportedly among a group of girls due to chemical-read by John Boyega, who starred in Star Wars: Episode VII - Generating Force, set for release later this year. Gina, 31, perhaps the best known of the three after he won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series - Comedy or Musical earlier this year for her role in Jane the Virgin. Tatiana, 29, is best known for his lead role in the Canadian sci-fi series Orphan Black who has just finished the third season.

Olivia, 21, is in the main cast of American drama thriller Bates Motel starring alongside Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore, who also recently completed the third of the season with two more seasons on the road in 2016 and 2017.

The players seem to already be formed either as TheWrap reported that Benecio del Toro is nearing a deal to play the villain in the upcoming film. Ram Bergman and Kathy Kennedy will produce the sci-fi movie is expected to begin production early next year. Star Wars: Episode VIII has a tentative release date of May 26, 2017 date.