‘Star Wars: Episode 7′ Close to Casting Lupita Nyong’o

Though we're still no closer to knowing who will lead 'Star Wars: Episode 7,' the latest casting rumor suggests that '12 Years a Slave' Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o is up to play one of the villains -- or a descendent of Obi-Wan Kenobi -- in the film.

Latino Review is reporting that Nyong'o has been reading for the part of a Sith, and is very close to signing on. That's one side of the story as The Hollywood Reporter is suggesting that she could play a descendent of Obi-Wan Kenobi, which they describe as a "non-Caucasian role." One thing is for sure, Nyong'o met with director J.J. Abrams, and in doing so joins Jesse Plemons, Ed Speleers (‘Downton Abbey‘), John Boyega (‘Attack the Block’), Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher as the most recently rumored for the film.

But perhaps the most interesting aspect of this latest report is that the new 'Star Wars' movie is prepping to start shooting in late second quarter or early third quarter of this year. As we have no set cast yet, and the film is scheduled to hit next Christmas, it seems that the film will be on a very tight production schedule if it's going to meet its original release date. If the film decides to move into 2016, perhaps it should come out on May 6, just to create even more chaos.

That said, 'Star Wars: Episode 7' is currently scheduled to hit theater December 18, 2015.