Gareth Edwards‘ Star Wars spin-off that will see release on December 16, 2016 now has its star, as Oscar nominee Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything) has signed on for the lead role.
We know nothing about the picture at this point other than reports that it will deal with a “heist-like plot” surrounding the theft of the plans for the Death Star, and will precede A New Hope in the series time-line.
Jones’ biggest competition for the role was Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) and Rooney Mara (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo).
The film will be written by Chris Weitz (About a Boy) and the first of two known Star Wars spin-offs that will release in years between “proper” Star Wars episodes. Presumably, the Josh Trank directed spin-off will hit theaters in 2018.
To recap, your current Star Wars release time-line looks like this:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens directed by JJ Abrams – December 18, 2015
Untitled Star Wars Spin-off directed by Gareth Edwards – December 16, 2016
Star Wars Episode VIII directed by Rian Johnson – 2017
Untitled Star Wars Spin-off directed by Josh Trank – 2018
Star Wars Episode IX written by Rian Johnson – 2019