Han Solo movie news: Emilia Clarke is film's new leading lady

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in "Game of Thrones" HBO

It looks like the Mother of Dragons from "Game of Thrones" just nabbed a lead role in the upcoming "Star Wars" spinoff film dedicated to the slickest smuggler in the galaxy, the untitled Young Han Solo movie.

According to a report by Rotten Tomatoes, it turns out that the female lead for the upcoming Han Solo movie will be played by Emilia Clarke, the one and only Khaleesi from HBO's massively successful fantasy epic, "Game of Thrones."

Earlier this year, casting calls that included Tessa Thomspon from "Creed," Zoe Kravitz from "X-Men: First Class" and Naomi Scott from the 2017 "Power Rangers," have led many "Star Wars" fans to believe that the Han Solo prequel film would feature Sana Starros as Solo's female partner. In the "Star Wars" comics, Starros was a woman of color who Solo married as part of another smuggling run. When Kravitz, Thompson, and Scott's names were revealed to be part of the running for the film, many thought that Starros would be part of the Young Han Solo film as the smuggler's love interest.

However, instead of giving the female lead role to one of the three, it turns out that the studio has decided to give the part to Clarke instead who'll now be playing opposite Alden Ehrenreich's Solo as his romantic interest in the movie. Other actresses who have also been considered for the role of the female lead were Adria Arjona from "Person of Interest" and Jessica Henwick, one of the Sand Snakes in "Game of Thrones."

Though Clarke has nabbed the female lead role, fans still don't know who exactly the "Game of Thrones" actress will play. IGN reports that Lucasfilm has been trying to keep Clarke's character under wraps, only revealing that the character would be one that Solo and Chewbacca meet during their adventure in the Young Han Solo film.

The untitled Young Han Solo film is set for release in 2018.

News
Archbishop of Canterbury calls for peace in first Easter sermon
Archbishop of Canterbury calls for peace in first Easter sermon

Dame Sarah Mullally has used her first Easter Day sermon as Archbishop of Canterbury to renew calls for peace in the Middle East. 

Easter Sunday and the hope of resurrection
Easter Sunday and the hope of resurrection

The hope of the resurrection is especially precious in a world filled with grief, violence, uncertainty, and pain.

Activists warn Syriacs being erased in Syria
Activists warn Syriacs being erased in Syria

The Syriacs are mostly Christian.

New Iraq report urges stronger action to protect Christians and other religious minorities
New Iraq report urges stronger action to protect Christians and other religious minorities

Jim Shannon MP said the report records both “the progress observed” and “the ongoing challenges” that remain for religious minorities seeking to live in safety and freedom in Iraq.