Disney has tapped Chris Weitz, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of About a Boy, to rewrite the screenplay for the Star Wars spin-off film that Gareth (Godzilla) Edwards is directing.  Weitz is replacing Gary Whitta, who wrote the first draft of the screenplay for the film that is supposed to debut on December 16, 2016.  With a release date that close for an effects-heavy space opera, Weitz is not likely to have a lot of time to doctor the script back to health.

This isn’t the first time that Disney has replaced a writer in midstream on a Star Wars production.  Michael Arndt wrote the first draft of Episode VII: The Force Awakens only to be replaced by Lawrence Kasdan and director J.J. Abrams (see "Kasdan, Abrams Taking Over 'Star Wars VII' Writing").

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Edwards’ Star Wars spin-off is already in the “early stages of casting” with some actresses having already tested for roles in the film.

There are two Star Wars spin-off films (see "Stand-Alone 'Star Wars' Films").  Josh Trank (Chronicle, the new Fantastic Four movie) is directing the other stand-alone Star Wars movie.