'Chronicle' Filmmaker Josh Trank No Longer Directing 'Star Wars' Spinoff

Director Josh Trank will no longer direct the upcoming Star Wars spinoff for Disney and Lucasfilm.

The studio made the announcement on Friday.

“It was a privilege to collaborate with Josh,” the official statement said. “We are grateful for the energy and love of Star Wars that he brought to the process, and we wish him all the best.”

Sources close to the situation tell Variety that Trank recently left the project over creative differences. According to one insider, he and screenwriter Simon Kinberg weren’t thrilled about working together again. The duo allegedly clashed while filming 20th Century Fox’s upcoming Fantastic Four reboot, which opens later this summer.

Trank’s Star Wars exit had been rumored for weeks after the director failed to appear at Disney’s Star Wars Celebration at the last minute, prompting internet speculation that something was wrong.

The Chronicle director quickly apologized on Twitter, saying that he had the “worst flu” of his life.

“Hey all. So, so, so sad to have missed today. Worst flu of my life. I hear it went beautifully with Gareth (Edwards). Here’s to next year.”

Disney also backed his claim, saying the studio was notified the morning-of the event of his illness and insisted that Trank was still attached to the anthology film. The untitled Star Wars movie won’t be released until 2019, according to sources.

Another oddity from the Star Wars Celebration event came when 20th Century Fox released the Fantastic Four trailer during Trank and Gareth Edwards’ panel.

Fox, of course, used to distribute the Star Wars films before Disney bought Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012.

As for Trank’s next move, a rep for 20th Century Fox said no director or writer has been set for the Fantastic Four sequel.

Starring Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell and Michael B. Jordan, the Fantastic Four reboot opens Aug. 7.