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A virtually unknown actress could jump to the head of the line for a coveted role in the new "Star Wars" movie.

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Oxford-educated newcomer Maisie Richardson-Sellers is considered the latest front-runner to nab a major role in "Star Wars: Episode VII," which is being produced by ABC News' parent company, Disney.

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One of the roles still to be filled is that of a young black or mixed-race woman who may be a descendant of Jedi Knight Ben Kenobi.

Richardson-Sellers has only a single film credit listed in the Internet film database IMDb, for the 2012 short film "Our First World."

According to her acting resume, she has also appeared on the Oxford stage in a number of plays, including "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide" and "Mephisto."

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A number of contenders have been mentioned for roles in the new "Star Wars" installment, including Adam Driver and recent Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o, but so far none have been confirmed. Original "Star Wars" stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher are also expected to reprise their roles.

Filming on the new movie is expected to begin next month.