While we inch towards the end of the year and the new Star Wars movie (The Force Awakens, for any of those hiding under a rock form Tusken Raiders), there is some momentum on the first of the 'standalone' movies that will run in the intervening years between main chapters. The first, Rogue One, is set between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope (ie: the first Star Wars film in production chronology) and details the story of the team that stole the original Death Star plans and we saw a brief glimpse of teaser footage at the Star Wars Celebration event earlier in the year.
Now we hear that the 'Ghost Dog' ninja himself, Forest Whitaker, is in negotiations to join the cast. The acclaimed actor, who has appeared in films as diverse as The Crying Game, Species, The King of Scotland and Taken 3, is not officially confirmed for the Lucasfilm project and nor are their any details about the character he might essay. We do know that, so far, the cast includes Felicity Jones, Riz Ahmed, Diego Luna and Ben Mendelsohn - with Gareth Edwards on directing duties.
Actual filming should begin towards the end of this year, though Whitaker is busy with other projects in the meantime such as The Story of Your Life' with co-star Amy Adams. His name was also linked with the reboot of The Crow, though that project may, once again, be delayed.
.jpg)
