After working with Gareth Edwards since mid 2014, including completing a first draft, writer Gary Whitta has left the
Star Wars standalone film. Whitta says, “The year I spent working with Lucasfilm on this
Star Wars film has been by far the most rewarding period of my entire career. As a lifelong
Star Wars fan I’m deeply grateful to have had the rare opportunity to contribute to a new chapter in its ongoing cinematic legacy. The film is going to be amazing." Edwards adds, “Gary has been a wonderful, inspired contributor and I enjoyed working with him tremendously... I’m so grateful for all of his contributions.” The film, whose subject has yet to be officially announced,
has been said to begin filming in 2015, with a release date of Dec. 16, 2016.
(Source:
The Hollywood Reporter)