Star Wars: Episode VII casting news- 12 Years a Slave & Academy award winner Lupita Nyong to star

News out of The Hollywood reporter has suggested that Lupita Nyong'o, who just took home an Academy Award for her performance in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave, is being eyed for a role in J.J. Abrams' upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII! Latino Review was first to report the rumor with The Hollywood Reporter confirming that the actress recently met with J.J. Abrams.

Scripted by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan, Star Wars: Episode VII is rumored to focus on a new generation of heroes and could include appearances by Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford in older incarnations of their beloved characters from the original Star Wars trilogy. The film is expected to begin shortly and will hit theaters on December 18, 2015.

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J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII is, according to The Hollywood Reporter, now looking to fill the role of a military officer in his 40s,
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 Abrams, meanwhile, today gives Total Film a brief update on the film's pre-production and expresses his delight at working alongside screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan.

Working with Larry has been one of the most surreal joys of my life," he says. "We've had a lot of fun working together. He's an incredible guy and an inspiring and spectacular writer."

The new film will be directed by Abrams and is being scripted by Abrams and Kasdan, who previously wrote the franchise's "Episode V," The Empire Strikes Back. The film will open in 2D and 3D theaters on December 18, 2015.