Lucasfilm and Disney have announced the director for the upcoming standalone "Star Wars" film.
According to StarWars.com, director Josh Trank has officially joined the production. He will be directing multiple films in the standalone franchise.
"We're thrilled to welcome Josh into the family," Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said in a statment. "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."
Trank is currently working on FOX's "Fantastic Four" reboot, starring Kate Mara, Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan and Jaime Bell.
"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," Trank said in a news release.
The standalone "Star Wars" film doesn't have a set release date, but J.J. Abrams' "Star Wars Episode 7" will hit theaters on Dec. 18, 2015. The "Episode 7" production recently announced two new additions to their cast.
Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o and "Game of Thrones" actress Gwendoline Christie will take on roles in the film. Nyong'o is best known for her role in "12 Years a Slave." Christie is currently working on "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2" as Commander Lyme.
"I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII," Kennedy said in a statment. "It's thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape."
The film stars John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow along with original cast members Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker reprising their legendary roles.
