Are We Getting Female Stormtroopers In STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS?

BBC's Lizo Mzimba is reporting that unknown British actress Amybeth Hargreaves will be playing a female stormtrooper in Star Wars The Force Awakens. His source being Spotlight UK a casting website.

Bit of @StarWars news from @SpotlightUK. Amybeth Hargreaves plays female Stormtrooper in The Force Awakens. http://t.co/2nDnhfSaTM
— lizo mzimba (@lizo_mzimba) January 16, 2015

There had been rumors that Gwendoline Christie could be playing a stormtrooper but we really haven't learned if there will be indeed women in the ranks. It's starting to look like race or gender isn't an issue with the Empire's recruiting policies.

This could also mean we'll be seeing more women in the film than we previously thought.

Amybeth's role might not be that big but we've seen Lucasfilm give unknowns sizeable parts already. Dasiy Ridley, taking a lead role but is pretty much unknown compared to the rest of the cast. I do expect Amybeth might have scenes with fellow trooper John Boyega.

It's also possible Amybeth could be an extra or doubling for another actor in the film.

This news could ruffle feathers as anything new revealed in The Force Awakens has seen backlash, even a new lightsaber design or new practical droid puts fans on edge. Although, we've seen many different droids and lightsaber designs over the years.

Some closed-minded fans went nuts when it was revealed that Attack The Block actor John Boyega was revealed as a Stormtrooper on the run. The naysayers of this choice coming off as racists and rightly so, considering the contention was about Boyega being black.

Lucasfilm would come to the defence of the character choice and confirm that stormtroopers of the post-Clone Wars era are not clones. Leaving the door open for lots of diverse casting in the film for all types of roles, not just for stormtroopers.

Almost every single move Lucasfilm, filmmakers and Kathy Kennedy will make will be put through a microscope by detractors and fans alike. A hard fact considering the franchise is so beloved and die-hards are still upset of the quality of the prequels.

A majority of the "new" designs we are seeing are actually inspired by original unused artwork from the original film. A bulk of Daisy Ridley's costume design is actually inspired by the Starkiller designs when Luke was originally going to be girl.

Daisy won't be the only lady in the universe.

I remember when some writers/bloggers were outraged there weren't more female cast members announced in the early casting days of Force Awakens. As unknown actress Daisy Ridley was the only new female addition at the time.

This seemed very premature as actresses such as Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o and Games of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie would be named as additional cast members taking decently sized roles in the film. Other ladies added to the lineup included Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Jessica Henwick, and Christina Chong.

Concept art by Ralph McQuarrie.

I am not ignoring that Star Wars has a lousy track record when it comes to female roles in the past, but that might have more to do with George Lucas than anyone else.

Lucas even changed Luke Skywalker's original gender from a girl to a boy. This concept art from legendary artist Ralph McQuarrie features early designs of a female version of Luke which looks oddly familiar to someone in that Force Awakens trailer.

Did you know we almost had female pilots in Return of The Jedi?

While Leia had her moments the rest of the female characters didn't really do much in the original trilogy.

This almost wasn't the case and it was heartbreaking to learn that Lucas had cut-out a number of female pilots in Return of The Jedi. At least three of them were removed from the film (could be a lot more), one being an elderly woman which could have been pretty damn powerful imagery in that goofy film with space teddy bears.

There is some hope that with Lucas out of the way we'll be seeing other female characters given meatier roles in the saga and spin-offs.

Having female characters given all types of roles could help bridge that gap-between Star Wars being a film for boys to a film that can be enjoyed by both girls and boys equally. Since all the strong female characters are relegated to the books, along with the cartoons like Clone Wars and Rebels. It would be a nice change to see them on screen as well.

Another female X-Wing pilot left on the sidelines by Lucas.

SOURCE: BBC

HAN SOLO And BOBA FETT Films In Development, Could Joe Johnston And Robert Rodriguez Direct?

EW is reporting that not only is LucasFilm and Disney looking to bring a Yoda film to the screen but two other characters will get their due. They say that Boba Fett and Han Solo could be getting their own films as the studio is already developing them. No word if Disney/LucasFilm has been meeting with directors but a few seem like possible candidates. Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg were confirmed by Disney yesterday to be writing two spin-offs. EW also mentions that Darth Vader could be involved in both films which makes sense since the Empire will still be kicking around. Adhering to previous rumors that Vader would be making a return to the franchise.

Boba Fett has long been a fan favorite but never got either enough screen time or things to do (minus the awful prequels). They mention that his film could be set during the time between the Sith and Hope or slightly after the events of Jedi. Joe Johnston (involved with all three original films) is the creator of the bounty hunter has since become a highly valued director. Making films such as Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, The Rocketeer, Jurassic Park 3 and Captain America: The First Avenger. Back in 2011, during an interview with ScreenRant he teased that he was pitching a Fett film to Lucas. He has since kept things quiet and won't answer questions concerning Star Wars. This could be a strong reason why he didn't return to direct Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Perhaps, he let the cat out of the bag too soon?

“You know if he wants to see it, I would show it to him. I’m trying to get George to make a feature based on Boba Fett.”

A Han Solo adventure spin-off movie that could take place between Episodes III and IV. While they would need to re-cast the role two directors have recently mentioned a desire to tackle the scruffy smuggler. Those names include directors Wes Anderson and Robert Rodgriuez. Two excellent names that could do something fresh with the material. Anderson (Moonrise Kingdom, Fantastic Mr. Fox) jokingly said he would make a Han Solo film but mess it up and have to be replaced. Rodriguez (Sin City, Spy Kids), a more suitable candidate confirmed to MTV if he were offered a Han Solo film he would consider it.

"If there was something that somebody said, 'Here, Han Solo, his own adventures.' I'd go do that."

Rodriguez loves to make family films but has never really nailed down compelling characters or stories within that genre. Having the Star Wars universe to fill those gaps could make him finally brake that old habit. Robert is good friends with Lucas which come into play if he ends up pitching for the job. When the first news broke about the spin-offs I pegged Robert as a perfect candidate to tackle the seedy side of the Star Wars universe. Seeing him make a Star Wars film focusing on gamblers, smugglers and the criminal underworld (the Huts) could be fantastic to say the least.