Felicity Jones, up for a best actress Academy Award for "The Theory of Everything," has been picked as the lead for a "Star Wars" spinoff movie that will be directed by Gareth Edwards who guided Bryan Cranston through "Godzilla" this past summer.
Variety reported that Jones will be part of the first of two unnamed spinoffs being created at Lucasfilm and Disney. The second spinoff will be directed by Josh Trank, who directed "Chronicle."
The Hollywood Reporter said actresses Tatiana Maslany and Rooney Mara had been in the running for the same role. Sources said former "Breaking Bad" actor Aaron Paul and Edgar Ramirez have been mentioned as possible male leads in the spinoff.
"Star Wars: Episode VII-The Force Awakens" was voted the anticipated movie of 2015 by Fandango, beating out anticipated blockbusters "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2" and "Fifty Shades of Grey," according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Disney has dug in with long-range plans for "Star Wars," committing to episodes eight and nine in 2017 and 2019 along with the spinoffs, according to Variety.
"The Force Awakens" takes place 30 years after 1983's "Return of the Jedi" and brings together the original cast of Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill with newcomers John Boyega and Adam Driver, noted Variety.
"I can assure the millions of 'Star Wars' fans who have spent the last decade hoping for a new movie, this one will be worth the wait," Disney chief executive officer Bob Iger told investors. "And it's only the beginning of a new era of exceptional 'Star Wars' storytelling."
Jones has received raved reviews for "The Theory of Everything," playing alongside Eddie Redmayne as they portray Jane and Stephen Hawking. Redmayne is bidding for best actor for his role.
Along with the "The Theory of Everything," Jones resume includes last summer's super hero blockbuster "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," "The Invisible Woman" in 2013, "Like Crazy" in 2011 and the television mini-series "The Diary of Anne Frank" in 2009.
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