Star Wars: Simon Kinberg Could Be New Spin-Off Writer

After Gary Whitta’s exit from the upcoming ‘Star Wars’ spin-off, it looks as though Simon Kinberg may take over scriptwriting duties.

It may have come as a bit of a shock when Gary Whitta announced last week that he has stepped down from the upcoming ‘Star Wars’ spin-off… after submitting the project’s first draft.

But who will replace him? It looks as though Simon Kinberg may be our man.

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According to SlashFilm, writing duties aren’t exactly finished when it comes to the ‘Star Wars’ spin-off… and it seems they’re able to answer the all-important question. Who will take over?

“If Whitta is out, who will be taking over the writing duties on the December 16, 2016 release?” they asked. “/Film has learned, but was unable to confirm, that it will be Simon Kinberg.”

Of course, Kinberg isn’t exactly an unknown when it comes to Disney’s newly acquired ‘Star Wars’ universe. After all, he’s known to be consulting on ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ as well as writing and producing their flagship animated series, ‘Star Wars Rebels’.

And what’s more, he’s already known to be writing one of the ‘Star Wars’ spin-offs.

“Kinberg is a consultant on ‘The Force Awakens’, a writer and producer on ‘Star Wars Rebels’, and writer of at least one standalone movie. Whether or not that became this film or is another remains unclear. But Kinberg will be taking over duties for Whitta on this movie.”

Unfortunately, Disney and Lucasfilm have declined to comment, and so for now it remains merely a rumour. But the guys at SlashFilm are keen to reiterate – they’re confident that this is true.

What does this mean for the ‘Star Wars’ spin-off? Simon Kinberg is one of the architects of the franchise, and it could be the perfect opportunity to ensure that the first spin-off movie is in synch with the rest of their efforts. And perhaps this will mean a bit more synergy with the other upcoming ‘Star Wars’ projects.

But for now, we’ll have to wait and see.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ heads to cinemas on 18 December 2015.

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Picture Credit: Lucasfilm/WENN