In between each of the next three Star Wars films, Lucasfilm has three spinoff movies planned. So after Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, the next Star Wars film will be the first spinoff, directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla). Directing the second spinoff is Josh Trank (who just had the trailer for his Fantastic Four reboot release). No word on the third spinoff yet.
There's been rumors about what the plot of the Gareth Edwards' spinoff will be. Some people think it'll include a young Han Solo and Boba Fett, while others say it will be a heist film about stealing the Death Star plans. Either way, there's a new writer on-board to finish the work that writer Gary Whitta didn't complete when he left the project.
Oscar-nominated writer Chris Weitz (About a Boy) is taking over for Whitta. He wrote Disney's upcoming live-action Cinderella, so he's worked with the company before.
It's hard to know what he's leaving and changing, since we know so little about the film. But with a writer as talented as Weitz, I assume you give him free reign to do as he pleases.
The first Star Wars spinoff releases December 16, 2016.
