Tatiana Maslany, the Regina-born star of the cult sci-fi television series Orphan Black, is in the running to play the lead in a new Star Wars movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Rooney Mara

American actress Rooney Mara was nominated for an Oscar for her role in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

The industry publication reports the 29-year-old is screen testing for a space drama spin-off that will be directed by Britain's Gareth Edwards, who helmed Godzilla and Monsters.

Maslany is said to be up against Girl With the Dragon Tattoo star Rooney Mara and Oscar-nominated The Theory of Everything actress Felicity Jones for the part.

The Canadian talent is no stranger to high-profile competition.

This Sunday, Maslany will take on big-screen heavyweights Robin Wright, Maggie Smith, Claire Danes, Viola Davis and Julianna Margulies at the 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Lucasfilm has released few details about the Star Wars spinoff film, other than it is slated to be released on Dec. 16, 2016.

The yet-unnamed movie is one of two Star Wars stand-alone films that the studio has up its sleeve.

Fans are already counting down the days to the release of the franchise's next instalment, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, due out on Dec. 18.

Disney, Lucasfilm and representatives for Maslany have not commented on the casting process for the Edwards project.