Gareth Edwards to Direct First Stand-Alone 'Star Wars' Film

Big news from the official Star Wars site about the future of stand-alone films! An official release just revealed that Godzilla director, Gareth Edwards will direct and Gary Whitta will pen the first of the expected multiple stand-alone films. The film is expected to be in theaters December 16, 2016, almost exactly a year after Episode VII is released on December 18, 2015.

Here is the official announcement:

In addition to the episodes of a new Star Wars trilogy, Lucasfilm and Disney have begun development on multiple stand-alone movies that will offer new stories beyond the core Saga. Gareth Edwards will direct the first stand-alone film, with a screenplay by Gary Whitta. The film is due out December 16, 2016.

Gareth Edwards blazed into the filmmaking forefront with his acclaimed work on Monsters, a film he wrote, directed and served on as cinematographer and visual effects artist. The skill and vision readily apparent in Monsters earned him the high-profile spot directing this year's smash hit Godzilla.

"Ever since I saw Star Wars I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life -- join the Rebel Alliance! I could not be more excited and honored to go on this mission with Lucasfilm," said Edwards.

Gary Whittas screenwriting credits include 2010's The Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington. He is also well known as a journalist and editor in the video game industry, as well as part of the BAFTA award-winning team on Telltale Games adaptation of The Walking Dead.

Whitta states, "From the moment I first saw the original movie as a wide-eyed kid, Star Wars has been the single most profound inspiration to my imagination and to my career as a writer. It is deeply special to me,so to be given the opportunity to contribute to its ongoing legacy, especially in collaboration with a film-maker as talented as Gareth, is literally a dream come true. I'm still pinching myself."

-Larissa Mrykalo

'Godzilla' Dominates the Box Office and a Sequel is in the Works

In an exclusive over at Deadline, they received confirmation this morning that Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. are already developing a "Godzilla" sequel and Gareth Edwards will return to direct. This is no shock since the iconic monster dominated at the box office this weekend with the largest opening of 2014. So far, the film has grossed $103 million internationally and $93 million domestically and the weekend isn't over yet.

Deadline mentions that "Edwards has talked about what he would do with a sequel, saying he would use the same kind of restraint that he did for this one. He learned well from watching Spielberg films as the monster was only talked about for the first part of this film." We're obviously unsure which monsters will rise up to fight Godzilla and when the film will be in theaters, but we'll keep you posted.

Were you one of the millions who contributed to the success of the film this weekend? What are your thoughts on "Godzilla" and are you excited for a sequel?

-Larissa Mrykalo

'Godzilla' Teaser Rampages Onto The Web

Legendary Pictures has finally released the teaser trailer for next summer's, "Godzilla" and well, it looks huge. Watch the trailer and let us know if you're looking forward to seeing this "spectacular adventure" that will be in theaters May 16, 2014.

The official synopsis:

An epic rebirth to Toho's iconic Godzilla, this spectacular adventure, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, pits the world's most famous monster against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence. Gareth Edwards directs “Godzilla,” which stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson (“Kick-Ass”), Oscar® nominee Ken Watanabe (“The Last Samurai,” “Inception”), Elizabeth Olsen (“Martha Marcy May Marlene”), Oscar® winner Juliette Binoche (“The English Patient,” “Cosmopolis”), and Sally Hawkins (“Blue Jasmine”), with Oscar® nominee David Strathairn (“Good Night, and Good Luck.,” “The Bourne Legacy”) and Bryan Cranston (“Argo,” TV’s “Breaking Bad”). Edwards directs from a screenplay by Max Borenstein, story by David Callaham, based on the character “Godzilla” owned and created by TOHO CO., LTD. Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni are producing with Mary Parent and Brian Rogers.

Leaked 'Godzilla' Teaser Trailer Available Again...For Now

Courtesy IMDB

The teaser trailer for next summer's "Godzilla" was first shown exclusively at San Diego Comic Con last July and since then, Legendary Pictures has been trying to keep the Internet-leaked video away from our prying eyes. Well, it's back and worth a peek before it gets taken down again.

The eerie overlay of the words of "father of the atomic bomb," J.Robert Oppenheimer, set against the massive destruction the giant fire lizard has unleashed, shows the grand scale of this Gareth Edwards-directed film.

The film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Ken Watanabe, Juliette Binoche, and David Strathairn. The screenplay is by Max Borenstein, Frank Darabont, and Dave Callaham. A Warner Bros. presentation, "Godzilla" is scheduled to be released in theaters, May 16, 2014.

Thanks to our friends at Dread Central for the trailer:

Godzilla 2014-Teaser-VO : Bandes-annonces HD - Amazing videos are here

-Larissa Mrykalo