With all the attention surrounding Episode VII lately, it could be easy to forget that more Star Wars movies are coming, but today we got some details for the first Star Wars standalone movie set to release on December 16, 2016! It was announced over at StarWars.com that the movie will be directed by Gareth Edwards, who is just coming off of directing the successful Godzilla reboot, with the script being written by Gary Whitta, who’s written for “The Walking Dead” games. Here is the official announcement from Lucasfilm:
Gareth Edwards and Gary Whitta Onboard for Star Wars Stand-Alone Film
In addition to the episodes of a new Star Wars trilogy, Lucasfilm and Disney have begun development on multiple stand-alone movies that will offer new stories beyond the core Saga. Gareth Edwards will direct the first stand-alone film, with a screenplay by Gary Whitta. The film is due out December 16, 2016.
Gareth Edwards blazed into the filmmaking forefront with his acclaimed work on Monsters, a film he wrote, directed and served on as cinematographer and visual effects artist. The skill and vision readily apparent in Monsters earned him the high-profile spot directing this year’s smash hit Godzilla.
“Ever since I saw Star Wars I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life – join the Rebel Alliance! I could not be more excited and honored to go on this mission with Lucasfilm,” said Edwards.
Gary Whittas screenwriting credits include 2010s The Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington. He is also well known as a journalist and editor in the video game industry, as well as part of the BAFTA award-winning team on Telltale Games adaptation of The Walking Dead.
Whitta states, “From the moment I first saw the original movie as a wide-eyed kid, Star Wars has been the single most profound inspiration to my imagination and to my career as a writer. It is deeply special to me,so to be given the opportunity to contribute to its ongoing legacy, especially in collaboration with a film-maker as talented as Gareth,is literally a dream come true. I’m still pinching myself.”
While no details were given about what the first stand-alone movie will be about it, it’s definitely great to get some official news about it with the writer and director getting announced. Plus the fact that it’s coming out just a year after Episode VII has me super excited!
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