#WheresRey? She's Making Her Monopoly Debut, and Filming 'Episode VIII' with 3 Newly Announced Actors

By Cindy Davis | Star Wars | February 15, 2016 |

By Cindy Davis | Star Wars | February 15, 2016 |

As announced today in an uber-cool way, Rian Johnson has taken the Episode VIII helm and filming began today. That rhymes way more than I intended.

***Force Awakens Spoilers included***

Please notice that Daisy Ridley’s Rey is front and mothereffin’ center, and for those of you merchandise-challenged executives in charge like say… Hasbro, for instance; you might want to think about including all the kickass females — see below — to the Episode VIII related toys. The company has finally rectified the mistake that is part of the reason a #WheresRey hashtag exists, and added our TFA heroine to the Star Wars Monopoly set, available this fall.

(photo via The Verge)

Speaking of those kickass females who’ll be needing their own merchandise along with Ridley’s Rey, Gwendoline Christie’s Captain Phasma, Carrie Fisher’s Leia Organa, and Lupita Nyong’o’s Maz Kanata (#WheresMaz?), two more actresses have been added to the Episode VIII cast.

The Star Wars Facebook, and site officially announced three actors joining those listed above, as well as Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels and Andy Serkis.

First up, one of my favorites and somehow always underrated: Laura Dern (who’ll also appear in the upcoming Twin Peaks revival.

As would have happened with any actress of a certain age joining the cast, speculation that she’s Rey’s mother is already rampant, however we know who that role should belong to.

Another big name officially confirmed is Benicio Del Toro,

who we usually assume will play a villain. Oh look, back in 2015, Del Toro pretty much said he’d been cast as one.

Finally, beating out the likes of Gina Rodriguez and Olivia Cooke is Kelly Marie Tran (Adam Ruins Everything, Ladies Like Us, CollegeHumor Originals).

I’m hoping Tran will turn out to be Rey’s sister. I mean, Luke had to be up to something all these years. Whoever she is, I WILL BUY HER ADORABLE ACTION FIGURE.

Star Wars: Episode VIII (aka Attack of the Female Action Figures) heads to theaters December 15, 2017.