The latest movie in the 'Star Wars' trilogy' is said to be centered on women. While the upcoming 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' also has a female lead in Rey who will take the cape from Princess Lea, it seems that more and more women are getting prominence in the upcoming episodes of the franchise.

Citing a report in The Wrap, Latin Post states that currently three actresses are being considered for the female lead in Rian Johnson's 'Star Wars" Episode VIII.' They include Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez ('Jane the Virgin'), Golden Globe nominee Tatiana Maslany ('Orphan Black') and 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' star Olivia Cooke.

No doubt, these actresses are all interesting choices for the role as they reinforce the assortment that the 'Star Wars' franchise has always supported.

In fact, it is reported that Maslany was one of the finalists for the role in 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,' but eventually Felicity Jones bagged the role.

In case Rodriguez is offered the role, she would be joining Oscar Isaac and possibly Benicio Del Toro as Latin Americans in the new franchise. There are rumors that Del Toro has joined the cast of the eighth 'Star Wars' episode as a villain. However, the news is yet to be confirmed.

In the meantime, Cooke attained stardom this summer following her role in the tragic 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.' Although the film was released in summer, Cooke could be earning an awards campaign. In fact, the actress is also been considered for a role in Steven Spielberg's 'Ready Player One.'

'Star Wars: Episode VIII' will be directed by Rian Johnson and he is also penning the script. The movie is slated for a May 26, 2017 release date. In order to meet that launch date, Johnson requires shooting the film in the first half of in 2016 with the latter part of the year being dedicated to editing.