The various Star Wars rumor watchers lost their minds when last week it was widely reported that Orphan Black star Tatiana Maslany was in the running for a stand-alone starring role. There was some credit to this theory, as Maslany had been starring in an off-Broadway show which she promptly exited with no explanation. (The show put Amanda Seyfried in the role since.)
Today, the actress all the sites are talking about is Oscar Nominee Felicity Jones (The Theory Of Everything). The Hollywood Reporter states Jones is now in talks to star in the project, which Gareth Edwards is directing and Chris Weitz (who was just hired last week) is writing. Weitz is replacing Gary Whitta, who penned the first draft.
UPDATE: VARIETY IS REPORTING THE CASTING IS A DONE DEAL, AND FELICITY JONES IS THE FIRST NAME ATTACHED TO STAR IN NEW STAND ALONE FILM.
We’ll do our best to keep you updated as the rumors swirl from a galaxy far far away.