‘Star Wars’ Standalone Film Picks Up Oscar-Nominated Writer Chris Weitz

It was recently rumored that ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ and ‘Apocalypse’ writer and producer Simon Kinberg would be stepping aboard Gareth Edwards’ ‘Star Wars’ spinoff to replace writer Gary Whitta, even though it seemed hardly possible with Kinberg’s schedule. And now those rumors have officially been proven false, as Lucasfilm has tapped writer and director Chris Weitz to complete a new draft of the screenplay for the mysterious standalone film.

THR reports that Weitz has been brought on to complete the screenplay for the currently untitled ‘Star Wars’ spinoff. Weitz was nominated for an Oscar for adapting Nick Hornby’s ‘About a Boy’ into the 2002 film of the same name, which he also directed. He’s also written the screenplays for the animated film ‘Antz,’ as well as Disney’s upcoming live-action ‘Cinderella’ film from director Kenneth Branagh. In addition to writing, Weitz has directed the films ‘The Golden Compass’ and ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon.’ He’s definitely an…interesting choice for the ‘Star Wars’ spinoff screenplay.

There have been a few rumors about the plot of Edwards’ upcoming ‘Star Wars’ standalone film—it’s either about young Han Solo or an ‘Ocean’s 11'-style heist film centering on Boba Fett and a group of bounty hunters who set out to retrieve the construction plans for the Death Star. Late last week, a new report emerged claiming that the film doesn’t focus on either young Han Solo or Boba Fett, but actually features both of the characters.

Edwards’ ‘Star Wars’ spinoff hits theaters on December 16, 2016, about a year after ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ which hits theaters later this year on December 18.