Academy Award nominee Felicity Jones has been chosen by Disney and Lucasfilm to star in the first of many "Star Wars" spinoff films, which is scheduled to be released on Dec. 16, 2016, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Jones is nominated for the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Jane Hawking in "The Theory of Everything."
Jones won the role over several other highly sought after actresses including Tatiana Maslany and Rooney Mara.
"Sources say that Aaron Paul and Edgar Ramirez are on the interest list for the male lead," the Hollywood Reporter wrote.
The standalone film, rumored to center on bounty hunters who steal the plans for the original Death Star, will be directed by "Godzilla" director Gareth Edwards. Internet speculation also has Edwards and Josh Trank's spin-off films focusing on the early days of Princess Leia and Han Solo...which would make more sense now that Jones has been cast because it's not a stretch to envision her playing a young Leia.
The script for the Edwards project was originally written by Gary Whitta and is now being re-written by Chris Weitz.
Stay tuned to HNGN for more information on the "Star Wars" spinoff films as it develops.
