Actress Felicity Jones to Star in First Stand-Alone Star Wars Movie

Via the Hollywood Reporter:

After a series of hush-hush readings and tests, Lucasfilm and Disney have zeroed in on Oscar-nominated actress Felicity Jones for the female lead in the Star Wars stand-alone film. 

Jones is now in talks to star in the project, whichGareth Edwards is directing and Chris Weitz — who was just hired last week — is writing. Weitz is replacing Gary Whitta, who penned the first draft.

Actresses were meeting, reading and testing last week in Los Angeles for the role, with Tatiana Maslanyand Rooney Mara among those in the mix.

The secrecy surrounding the project is thicker than the mists of Dagobah. and it is even unclear which character the stand-alone is focusing on. Sources say that Aaron Paul and Edgar Ramirez are on the interest list for the male lead.

Disney had no comment.

The movie has a release date of Dec. 16, 2016.