The news from a galaxy far, far away is coming fast and furious.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, actress Felicity Jones is in talks to play the lead in the first Star Wars spinoff movie. Jones, nominated for an Oscar for her role in The Theory of Everything, was up against stiff competition for the part from the likes of Tatiana Maslany and Rooney Mara.
Next to nothing is known about the movie, due in theaters Dec. 16, 2016, other than Gareth Edwards is directing and Chris Weitz is writing the script, having just come on board in place of Gary Whitta.
Meanwhile, the animated series Star Wars Rebels is slated to return Feb. 9 with an all-new episode titled “Call to Action” and featuring Grand Moff Tarkin, played in the original movie by the late Peter Cushing.
Here’s a clip from the episode, which airs Feb. 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Disney XD.