from EW:
"This just in from the Star Wars front: Episode VII has cast 12 Years a Slave Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o and Game of Thrones‘ Gwendoline Christie.
"Though we don’t know who they play, it’s news that should be greeted with a joyful Ewok dance by many fans, especially those who were critical that the film’s earlier casting announcement was distressingly light on women.
"Nyong’o, 31, a graduate of Yale’s drama school, made her breakthrough in 12 Years a Slave last year as Patsey, the fearsomely powerful but agonizingly trapped field slave who forges a sisterly bond with the movie’s main character, the kidnapped free man Solomon Northup.
"Ever since claiming the Oscar, the industry has been wondering which role she will take next — although there have long been rumors that Nyong’o was under consideration for Star Wars. Many industry-watchers have speculated that the film business might be at a loss for how to utilize the actress. EW’s own Mark Harris even asked, “Why can’t Lupita Nyong’o find a role worthy of her?“
"With this news, that question has been answered."
The full article is
here.