Credit: Marvel StudiosThe galaxy far, far away is no stranger to A-list talent, but if the rumors are true, Lucasfilm might have just tapped their most prominent performer yet for an upcoming Star Wars gig.
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Over the years, George Lucas’ Star Wars universe has catapulted many up-and-coming actors to international superstardom. Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Liam Neeson, Natalie Portman, and Samuel L. Jackson are just some prominent names who have joined the franchise since Episode IV – Star Wars: A New Hope premiered in 1977, after all.
Years later, Lucasfilm seems to have no intent of slowing down, as a new report suggests that an Oscar-nominated actress from Marvel Studios’ Black Panther (2018) movies is jumping ship to a different Disney-owned franchise.
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According to scooper Daniel Richtman, Angela Bassett is reportedly being considered by Lucasfilm for an unknown role in the Star Wars universe. The report didn’t offer specifics, and it remains unknown whether this mysterious project will be a movie or a Disney+ TV show.
Famously remembered for her moving performance as Queen Ramonda — AKA the mother of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) and Shuri (Letitia Wright) — Bassett is a Hollywood icon who received a Best Supporting Actress nod for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), marking the first time a MCU star was nominated in the category.
Beyond Marvel, Bassett has appeared in several iconic films and TV across her nearly 40-year career in the entertainment industry, including Boyz n the Hood (1991), What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993), Waiting to Exhale (1995), and FX’s American Horror Story, among others.
Needless to say, signing onto a Star Wars project would mark a drastic departure from her usual roles. But what kind of movie or Disney+ series is Bassett in talks to join?
Of course, there are a number of exciting Star Wars projects in the pipeline, meaning the opportunities are endless. For one, 2024 will see the release of Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, and Season 2 of the Tales of the Jedi anthology series, among others.
Further down the line, audiences can expect to see their favorite father-son duo hit the big screen in director Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026), in addition to Dave Filoni’s Mando-Verse crossover event (TBA), James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi project (TBA), and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s untitled Rey (Daisy Ridley) movie.
Any of these films and Disney+ originals are fair game for Bassett to make her eagerly-awaited Star Wars debut, and it’ll be interesting to hear if more information surrounding her character comes to light in the coming weeks.
Bassett is, of course, no stranger to greenscreens and CGI-laden superhero flicks, meaning her potential jump to Star Wars and the Volume would be an easy transition. But only time will tell if the legendary actress is willing to commit to yet another franchise role or if these rumors are exactly that — rumors.
What role would you like to see Angela Bassett take on in the Star Wars galaxy? Let us know in the comments below!