'Star Wars' spin-off directed by Gareth Edwards gets 'Cinderella' writer (Report)

The Star Wars spin-off that Godzilla director Gareth Edwards is making has a new writer. Oscar nominee Chris Weitz will take over from Gary Whitta.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Whitta, whose credits include The Book of Eli, was leaving the project. Since the film is supposed to be out by the end of next year, Disney and Lucasfilm had to move quickly to find a replacement.

It turns out that Disney didn’t look very far, since Weitz worked on the studio’s upcoming live action Cinderella movie. His hiring was reported by The Hollywood Reporter, although Disney hasn’t commented.

Weitz was nominated for an Oscar for co-writing About A Boy, which he also co-directed. As a solo director, he has helmed The Golden Compass and The Twilight Saga: New Moon. He also directed Demian Bichir to an Oscar nomination in A Better Life.

Nothing is known about Edwards’ film, even though it does have a Dec. 16. 2016 release date. There were rumors last week that Edwards was finally starting casting, with Rooney Mara and Orphan Black’s Tatiana Maslany being considered for a role.

Another Star Wars spin-off is already in development, with Fantastic Four’s Josh Trank at the helm.

The first Disney/Lucasfilm Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens, opens on Dec. 18.

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