( The Hollywood Reporter ) After a series of hush-hush readings and tests , Lucasfilm and Disney have zeroed in on Oscar-nominated actress Felicity Jones for the female lead in the Star Wars stand-alone film . Jones is now in talks to star in the project , which Gareth Edwards is directing and Chris Weitz -- who was just hired last week -- is writing . Weitz is replacing Gary Whitta , who penned the first draft . Actresses were meeting , reading and testing last week in Los Angeles for the role , with Tatiana Maslany and Rooney Mara among those in the mix . The secrecy surrounding the project is thicker than the mists of Dagobah , and it is even unclear which character the stand-alone is focusing on . Sources say that Aaron Paul and Edgar Ramirez are on the interest list for the male lead . 'Star Wars ' stand-alone movie hiring Oscar-nominated writer . Disney had no comment . The movie has a release date of Dec. 16 , 2016 . Meet the 'Star Wars : Episode VII — The Force Awakens ' Cast . Jones is currently making the awards season rounds for The Theory of Everything , for which she snagged a best actress Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Jane Hawking , the first wife of physicist Stephen Hawking . Oscars : Acting nominees compete for title of most agonizing role . True Story , in which she stars with James Franco and Jonah Hill , just premiered at Sundance , and she is also shooting A Monster Calls , a family fantasy directed by J.A . Bayona that also stars Liam Neeson and Toby Kebbell . She is repped by WME .
Actress won sought-after role over Tatiana Maslany and Rooney Mara . Jones is nominated for an Oscar for `` The Theory of Everything '' Aaron Paul , Edgar Ramirex on list of possible male leads .