It seems that Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) is just itching to get into the Star Wars universe. She was one of the frontrunners for the lead role in A Star Wars Story: Rogue One, a role that ultimately went to Felicity Jones. But now she is back on another Star Wars list, this time for Star Wars: Episode VIII.

She won’t be alone though, and she will be up against some pretty stiff competition. According to a new report, Gina Rodriguez (Jane The Virgin) and Olivia Cooke (Bates Motel) are also in consideration for the female lead role in director Rian Johnson‘s untitled Episode VIII. More on the story below.

Now that we know who the villains are in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, its time to look ahead towards Star Wars: Episode VIII. Although the film won’t be released until 2017, it is surmised that John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Daisy Ridley will return to reprise their respective roles for the subsequent sequels. However, we aren’t sure about the villains. Comic-Con revealed that Domnall Gleeson would play General Hux, a high ranking military officer in the newly established First Order, with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie) working under him, though it is unclear if they will appear in sequels.

But as with almost every sequel, new characters are introduced into the mythology. Though we may not know the new characters that will be appearing in Episode VIII, there are reports stating that Benicio Del Toro (Traffic, Guardians of the Galaxy) is being offered a villain role in the film. LucasFilm and Disney are also keen on getting Joaquin Phoenix in a Star Wars film.

More on these stories below.

During their annual meeting of shareholders held today, Disney revealed more details about their upcoming Star Wars projects, including Star Wars: Episode VIII.

Rian Johnson, who was reportedly signed on to direct Star Wars: Episode VIII, has been officially confirmed for the position, as well as for screenwriter for the sequel. It is still not known if the director will return for Star Wars: Episode IX, but previous reports have stated that he is attached to it.

Not quite the Marvel Studios spectacle that Disney had planned, but the announcement of the release years for Star Wars: Episode VIII and Star Wars: Episode IX is great news nonetheless. When Disney acquired Lucasfilm back in 2013, the plan was to release one Star Wars film a year. The first would be Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which opens in theaters on December 18 of this year. This would be followed by the Gareth Edwards-directed standalone film, which hits theaters December 16, 2016.

What happens after that is still unclear, as schedules do tend to change in the movie business. But in a recent Disney shareholders report, CEO Bob Iger revealed the release years for the untitled Star Wars Episode VIII and Episode IX, to be directed by Rian Johnson. Hit the jump to mark your calendars.

Ever since J.J. Abrams signed on to direct Star Wars: Episode VII early last year there was intense speculation as to whether he would be in for further installments in the sequel trilogy. Speculate no more, dear speculators, for Rian Johnson has officially been handed the directorial reins for the tentatively-titled Star Wars: Episode VIII and Star Wars: Episode IX, per Deadline’s Mike Fleming Jr.

Previously best known for writing and directing the indie cult gems Brick and The Brothers Bloom, Johnson made his entry into the arena of original science-fiction cinema with the 2012 smash hit Looper. The director’s love of the genre and ability to work equally well with big name stars and acclaimed actors doubtlessly played a part in his nabbing the coveted assignment of bringing the second and third Star Wars sequels to life. In an unsurprising development, Johnson will also write the screenplays for both films.