Earlier this week, J.J. Abrams announced that the script for ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ was complete, but even before then, there were a ton of wild rumors flying around concerning various actors joining the production. As recently as last week, a mix of big names and up and comers such as Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Hugo Weaving, and Michael B. Jordan were circulating the first new live action adventure in a galaxy far, far away under the Disney banner. Now, one of the most legendary names in show business is being rumored to join the cast as an important, but seldom seen character from the original trilogy.

According to the Full of Sith podcast, sources are saying that Dame Judi Dench is being courted to play Mon Mothma, an important political figure in the Galactic Republic that went on to be one of the founders of the Rebel Alliance and the first Chief of State in the New Republic after the Battle of Endor. In ‘Return of the Jedi’, Mothma was played by Caroline Blakiston, but now the veteran actress from films such as ‘Shakespeare In Love’, ‘Skyfall’, and ‘Philomena’ is being talked about to step into the role for the new trilogy.

On the podcast, Bobby Roberts shared the chatter that he’s been hearing from a number of different places:

“Here’s a rumor that I have heard from reliable sources. This hasn’t hit yet, but I’ve checked with at least two or three different people behind-the-scenes, who have been dealing with this sort of info. The name I have heard about ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ that I hadn’t even thought of until I heard this scuttlebutt, is Mon Mothma. Mon Mothma is going to be showing up in Episode VII, according to this rumor. What makes the rumor even crazier, even jucier, and even more enticing for me, should it come true, the name I’ve heard attached to Mon Mothma possibly showing up in Episode VII is Judi Dench. She is being looked at for Mon Mothma in Episode VII. That’s the rumor I have heard. Whether that happens or not, I don’t know.”

A few days prior to the release of this episode of the podcast, El Mayimbe of Latino Review began to tease some big ‘Star Wars’ casting news with the following tweet:

As Roberts says in his quote, this may or may not happen, but if it were to become official, Dench would be a spectacular addition to the cast. She has proven for years that she’s one of the best actresses that the world has to offer, so to bring her wealth of experience and talent to this franchise would be very welcome indeed.

What do you think the chances are of Judi Dench playing Mon Mothma in ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’? If the rumors prove to be true, are you in favor of the casting choice? Let us know in the comments below.