Star Wars Spin-Off: Writer Gary Whitta Leaves Project

The first ‘Star Wars’ spin-off movie has lost its screenwriter Gary Whitta, who departs the project he started work on in May.

Whitta had been working with ‘Godzilla’s Gareth Edwards, who will direct the movie.

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The Hollywood Reporter broke the story, saying Whitta’s departure comes after he completed the first draft. They also say that he will likely be moving on to a new project for Fox, an adaptation of Mark Millar’s Starlight mini-series.

The split appears to be amicable, with both Whitta and Edwards speaking well of their experience working together. 

“Gary has been a wonderful, inspired contributor and I enjoyed working with him tremendously,” said Edwards in a statement. “I’m so grateful for all of his contributions.”

Whitta meanwhile said: “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."

A new writer is expected to be hired to hone the script ahead of full production, which will begin later this year. 

This is not the first time a writer has left a ‘Star Wars’ project. Oscar-winner Michael Arndt wrote the first draft of ‘The Force Awakens’ before departing the project over creative differences, director JJ Abrams and ‘Star Wars’ vet Lawrence Kasdan stepped in to rewrite the script. 

Gareth Edwards’ first ‘Star Wars’ spin-off is expected to be land in 2016. 

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Picture Credits: LucasFilm.