On the heels of news last week from Lupita Nyong’o, sharing publicly that she was being eyed for “a high-profile Hollywood studio project,” comes word that the project – which Nyong’o didn’t give any further details on at the time (except to say that she’ll be “listening to her gut” before making any final decisions) – just might be Star Wars: Episode VII!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a couple of weeks ago, just before she took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in 12 Years A Slave, Lupita met with director J.J. Abrams for the part of the female lead in Star Wars: Episode VII.

But what exactly that female lead character is, isn’t public yet, as the project, for the most part, has been bundled in secrecy. 

This news comes just 2 days after British actor John Boyega was reported to be 1 of 5 actors currently being considered for the lead male role of Jedi apprentice, in the J.J. Abrams-directed Disney film.

So might we be watching a Star Wars franchise reboot film with 2 black leads? Call me a cynic, but I’ll say likely not. Despite Abrams’ publicly stated desire to have the film’s cast be diverse, this is still a tent-pole, mega-budgeted Hollywood studio film after all. 

Chances are, one of them will be cast; but I doubt that both will – certainly not as leads. Also keep in mind that both Lupita and Boyega are among a handful of actors being considered for the respective parts they’re being offere.

But ya never know do ya? Maybe Abrams is intent on shaking up the franchise (and Hollywood casting) despite what will likely be the usual racist fanboy/girl laments. Recall that he also recently tapped a practically unknown black filmmaker in Julius Onah to direct a sci-fi thriller titled God Particle for Paramount.

Stay tuned…