Gareth Edwards Will Direct First 'Star Wars' Spinoff; Will Still Direct 'Godzilla' Sequel

For most people, directing a massive Godzilla reboot as your second film would be the pinnacle of your career. Gareth Edwards is not most people. He's going to follow up Godzilla with a Star Wars spinoff.

Lucasfilm broke the news on Thursday night, announcing that Edwards will direct "the first stand-alone film, with a screenplay by Gary Whitta. The film is due out December 16, 2016."

"Ever since I saw Star Wars I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life — join the Rebel Alliance!" Edwards said in the Lucasfilm statement. "I could not be more excited and honored to go on this mission with Lucasfilm."

Don't worry about losing Edwards, Godzilla fans. Despite the large amount of work that will be involved with directing a Star Wars standalone film, Edwards will still helm the Godzilla sequel.

"Gareth's filmmaking talent makes him one of his generation's most creative and visionary directors,” Legendary Pictures Chairman and CEO Thomas Tull said in a statement. "The plan has always been for Gareth to direct a different film before we started on another Godzilla, but who knew it would a Star Wars installment? We have a great plan in store for Godzilla fans and I am looking forward to seeing Gareth's imprint on the Star Wars universe."

No word yet which Star Wars spinoff Edwards will be directing, but based on previous reports, it could be a film focused on Yoda, Han Solo, Boba Fett or even some kind of Red Five feature. With this movie scheduled to open in December 2016, what does this mean for the Godzilla sequel's release? 

Both films are special effects heavy, so I wouldn't expect the Godzilla until at least 2018. A four-year gap between franchise installments is actually on the long side these days. Disney and Lucasfilm are pumping out a Star Wars numbered episode every other year, and Disney and Marvel Studios are releasing an Avengers movie every three years.