Who’s That (Star Wars) Lady? We Break Down the Latest Casting Rumors

Mirax Terrik
Featured extensively in the Michael A. Stackpole X-Wing books, Mirax is a smuggler who helps Rogue Squadron out with all the extra-legal stuff they can’t get involved in and ends up marrying Rogue Squadron pilot-turned Jedi Knight Corran Horn. If the standalone movies decide to focus on events right after Return of the Jedi, Mirax would make a great central character. She’s like Han Solo, only a little more reliable.

Winter
Espionage hasn’t played much of a role in the Star Wars films to date (aside from an off-hand remark from Mon Mothma), but it does show up a lot in the books. One of Leia’s closest companions in the Timothy Zahn Thrawn novels, Winter is involved in the New Republic’s iteration of the secret service, tasked with protecting Leia’s kids. If there’s ever a standalone Admiral Akbar movie, Winter could also show up, as she hung out with everyone’s favorite fish-face in the Kevin J. Anderson book Dark Apprentice. Aside from being involved in Han Solo’s big heist in Scoundrels, Winter gets involved with Rogue Squadron’s Celchu, making yet another case for movies about the X-Wing comics and books. (I also wondered if Daniel Craig could play Celchu awhile back, which could mean a Rooney Mara/Daniel Craig reunion!)

Callista
Before Luke Skywalker married Mara Jade, he loved Callista, a spirit of a Jedi Knight from the Clone Wars-era who somehow wound up in the body of one of Luke’s Jedi students, Cray. Originally appearing in Barbara Hambly’s Star Wars novel Children of the Jedi, Callista didn’t end up being the love of Luke’s life, but was still a super-memorable, original character. Her status as a ghost from Star Wars’ past would make her an interesting bridge between the prequel era and the classic trilogy timeline. Because she’s a time-travelling ghost, she could even get her own standalone movie, popping up in multiple key junctions in the Star Wars universe, like some kind of Force-sensitive Zelig. You’d see that movie, right?

Admiral Daala
The evil villain of the Jedi Academy trilogy, Admiral Daala has at her disposal a supped-up superweapon called the Suncrusher (because “Death Star” was too subtle). Depending on when these stand alone films are set, Daala could show up in a variety of guises (she eventually winds up ruling the galaxy, if you can believe it). In any case, as the Star Wars films have yet to present a female officer in the Empire, Admiral Daala could help bring a little bit of balance to the force.

Mara Jade
The one character everyone really wants to see onscreen is, of course, Mara Jade. Introduced as the would-be-assiasin of Luke Skywalker, she ends up marrying him. (Did Steven Moffat base River Song from Doctor Who off of Mara Jade? Hmmm…) Though it’s super unlikely Mara will appear or be referenced in any of the new Star Wars movies, all of the actresses rumored to be in talks for this mystery role would be great as Mara. (Provided they were willing go become redheads… that’s a must.)
Who are your favorite women from the Star Wars novels and comics?