When George Lucas sold the rights of
Star Wars to Disney, the plan was to make episodes VII, VIII and IX. Episode VII filming is underway, under the direction of
JJ Abrams. At the same time, Disney also said that there would be some spin-off movies, possibly set in a different timeline. It was speculated that these might be about the young Han Solo or the teenage traumas of Boba Fett (both being characters popular with the fan community).
Although no details about the spin-off movies has emerged in terms of plot or characters,
Disney has confirmed that the first movie is to enter production.
At the helm of the new film is British director Gareth Edwards, who made the recent
Godzilla movie. Writer Gary Whitta, who penned the script for 2010's
The Book of Eli, will write the screenplay for Edwards' film.
The
Daily Mail quotes Edwards as saying: "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 & honored to go on this mission with Lucasfilm."
According to the
BBC, the movie is is due to be released on December 16, 2016.
