‘Star Wars’ Spinoff Announced; 'Godzilla' Director Tapped To Helm Origins Story?

A "Star Wars" spinoff is in the drawing board with "Godzilla" director Gareth Edwards being tapped to help what rumors claim is an origins story about a popular character in a Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Gareth Edwards released a statement confirming his participation in the film.

"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," it said.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, which first broke the news, the "Star Wars" spinoff will deal with the origins story of a younger Boba Fett and Master Yoda, or possibly the backstory of Han Solo. The spinoff will also likely deal with Luke Skywalker and his adventures, various reports revealed.

The website also revealed that Gary Whitta, who wrote Denzel Washington's post-apocalyptic film "Book of Eli," was tapped to screenwrite the movie based on the announcement posted on the official Star Wars website.

The plot for the "Star Wars" spinoff, Mashable noted, is so clouded in secrecy that everything is just speculation at this point. However, the release date for the spinoff is tentatively set on December 16, 2016 or "a mere 363 days after the release of 'Star Wars Episode VII.'"

Gareth Edwards made his directorial debut in the 2010 movie "Monsters," which tells of the story of a US journalist who is escorting the boss' daughter across Mexico-ravaged by octopus-like alien monsters, and into the US border. The movie was both a critical and financial success. Made on a budget of between $500,000 and $800,000, "Monsters" grossed at the world-wide box-office at a little over $4 million.

More important, that feature serves as a launchpad for the 2014 "Godzilla" movie and finally, the "Star Wars" spinoff.