Star Wars Rebels creator Simon Kinberg to rewrite first standalone film of the hit franchise?

Star Wars standalone film planned for 2016 was left without a writer after Gary Whitta recently announced his departure from the project. But now, as per latest rumours, that void seems to have been filled by Star Wars Rebels writer Simon Kinberg.

"Kinberg is a consultant on The Force Awakens, a writer and producer on Star Wars Rebels, and writer of at least one standalone movie - whether or not that became this film or is another, remains unclear. But Kinberg will be taking over duties for Whitta on this movie," states a Slashfilm report.

According to the website, Kinberg, who is familiar with the Star Wars world, "is the perfect replacement to come in to polish/rewrite the script to Lucasfilm's liking."

The first draft of the movie has already been written by Whitta and with the projects set to roll later this year, it seems quite unlikely that Kinberg will go for a completely new script. The current story of the film is about Bounty Hunters working with Rebels to get the blueprints to the Death Star. It will take place before the events of the first Star Wars film (1977).

The first Star Wars standalone film, to be directed by Godzilla's Gareth Edwards, is slated to release on 16 December, 2016.