Second Star Wars spin-off to be steered by Chronicle director

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jun/04/star-wars-spin-off-josh-trank

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A second Star Wars spin-off movie has been given the green light, with the announcement that its director will be Josh Trank, of Chronicle renown.

This follows the news from 10 days ago that Godzilla's Gareth Edwards was to direct a first Star Wars spin-off, from a script by Gary Whitta.

Trank, who is currently working on The Fantastic Four, was quoted as saying: "The magic of the Star Wars universe defined my entire childhood ... The opportunity to expand on that experience for future generations is the most incredible dream of all time."

These spin-off movies, which are conceived as separate narratives from the main Star Wars trilogy of which the JJ Abrams-directed Star Wars Episode VII is the opening film, are a key part of producing studio Disney's ambition to release a new Star Wars film every year. The suggestion is that each spin-off would be based around a well-known character, with Boba Fett, Han Solo and Yoda the leading candidates.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy confirmed Trank's appointment and indicated the reach of the spin-off films. "We're thrilled to welcome Josh into the family," she said. "He is such an incredible talent and has a great imagination and sense of innovation. That makes him perfectly suited to Star Wars, and for this new slate of movies that reach beyond the core characters and storylines of Episodes I through IX."

Star Wars Episode VII is currently shooting in the UK and is due forrelease on 18 December 2015.