'Star Wars' spinoff lands 'Godzilla' director

Gareth Edwards knows his way around a monster, but he's now going to enter a new galaxy.

The "Godzilla" helmer has been announced as the director of the forthcoming untitled "Star Wars" spinoff movie, which will be separate from the new trilogy that's kicking off with 2015's "Star Wars: Episode VII."

The project is actually one of "multiple" stand-alone "Star Wars" movies that Lucasfilm and Disney have planned. The one Edwards is leading will be written by Gary Whitta ("The Book of Eli"; "After Earth") and will arrive on December 16, 2016.

It's likely that Lucasfilm and Disney, which didn't include any other details about the "Star Wars" spinoff, are hoping for another Edwards box office domination. The filmmakers "Godzilla" has made $216 million globally since it opened on May 16.

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