It’s only been a couple of weeks, but Gareth Edwards has already found someone new to write the **Star Wars stand-alone film he’s directing ready for 2016. About A Boy.
Weitz has been brought in to replace Gary Whitta, who left earlier this month after completing the first draft of the film, which is still being kept under wraps, although we do know Edwards has been busy auditioning actresses for a leading role. Speculation has turned towards the search for a potential younger version of Princess Leia, though there are still only rumours circulating for now.
A director, a writer and a producer, Weitz is probably still best known for his attempt to launch a fantasy franchise with The Golden Compass, co-directing About A Boy with his brother Paul, his stint directing Twilight: New Moon and working on the first American Pie with his brother Paul.
Edwards will handle the first of the spin-off films, reportedly focused on specific characters from the franchise with original stories also part of the plan. With Josh Trank set to direct another of the movies to fit between the three new trilogy entries from J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson, Edwards’ film will arrive on December 16, 2016. That's almost a year after Abrams’ **Star Wars: **The Force Awakens, which lands on December 18 this year.