DHAKA: British director Gareth Edwards, who made the recent Godzilla movie, is set to direct a Star Wars spin-off film, Walt Disney Co has confirmed.

The unnamed film will be in addition to the forthcoming Star Wars trilogy, the first instalment of which will be directed by JJ Abrams.

Writer Gary Whitta, who penned the script for 2010’s ‘The Book of Eli’, will write the screenplay for Edwards’ film.

The film is due to be released on 16 December 2016, reports the BBC.

In a statement, Edwards said, ‘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 honoured to go on this mission.’

Whitta echoed his sentiments and said the ‘opportunity to contribute’ was ‘literally a dream come true’.

Edwards’ recent 3D film Godzilla topped the US box office chart and has taken more than $216m worldwide, according to Boxofficemojo.

He also won widespread acclaim for his independent film Monsters, which was released in 2010.

BDST: 1651 HRS, MAY 24, 2014