{"id":33723,"date":"2014-05-22T19:48:09","date_gmt":"2014-05-22T23:48:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.filmbuffonline.com\/FBOLNewsreel\/wordpress\/?p=33723"},"modified":"2018-03-10T16:10:39","modified_gmt":"2018-03-10T21:10:39","slug":"godzilla-director-gareth-edwards-will-direct-first-star-wars-spinoff-film","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.filmbuffonline.com\/FBOLNewsreel\/wordpress\/2014\/05\/22\/godzilla-director-gareth-edwards-will-direct-first-star-wars-spinoff-film\/","title":{"rendered":"GODZILLA Director Gareth Edwards Will Direct First STAR WARS Spinoff Film"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"GarethEdwards\"<\/a><\/p>\n

While still basking in the glow of his Godzilla<\/strong> reboot’s box office triumph this past weekend, Gareth Edwards already has his next job lined up. He will be directing the first Star Wars<\/strong> spinoff film for Lucasfilm and Disney. The film is scheduled for a December 16, 2016 release, slotting into the year between Star Wars: Episode VII<\/strong>‘s December 2015 release and Episode VIII<\/strong>‘s presumed release in December 2017.<\/p>\n

Although it has been mooted that some of the previously announced spinoff films will feature a young Han Solo or Boba Fett<\/a> or a story about Jedi Master Yoda<\/a>, there is no official word as to who will be the center of the actual film. The Book Of Eli <\/strong>scripter Gary Whitta will be supplying the screenplay. This is our first word that Whitta is working on the franchise. Previously it was reported<\/a> that Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg were working on screenplays for Star Wars<\/strong> spinoff films.<\/p>\n

The announcement comes from StarWars.com<\/a> –<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s smash hit Godzilla.<\/p>\n

\u201cEver since I saw Star Wars I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life \u2013 join the Rebel Alliance! I could not be more excited & honored to go on this mission with Lucasfilm, said Edwards.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Whitta states, \u201cFrom 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\u2019m still pinching myself.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The first STAR WARS spinoff film gets a director.<\/div>\n

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