It seemingly took forever for Lucasfilm to release information about The Mandalorian. This time, however, it’s wasted no time getting right to work on its next, live-action Star Wars series. Early last month we told you about the Rogue One spinoff to focus on Cassian Andor. Set to premier on Disney+, Lucasfilm describes the show as a “spy thriller” that “will explore tales filled with espionage and daring missions to restore hope to a galaxy in the grip of a ruthless Empire”. The show has now found its executive producer in Stephen Schiff.

Stephen Schiff

Photo: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

If you don’t know the name Stephen Schiff, you should. The former journalist and now-Hollywood screenwriter was the man responsible for writing the screenplay to the controversial 1998 film Lolita. Further, his other notable film works include True Crime with Clint Eastwood, the emotionally charged thriller Unfaithful, and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.

Stephen Schiff Named Executive Producer for Rogue One Spinoff

Stephen Schiff is most known lately for his work on the FX series The Americans. After joining the series for Season Two, he executively produced the show to two Emmy nominations for Best Drama. Coincidentally, Schiff worked on The Americans with another Star Wars newcomer in Keri Russell. Russell will star in next year’s Star Wars: Episode IX.

With Stephen Schiff, the new Rogue One spinoff series may have found the perfect showrunner. Schiff’s experience on the spy thriller The Americans should translate well to intergalactic espionage. Diego Luna will reprise his role as Rebel spy Cassian Andor for the series. If the tone of Rogue One is any indication, the series promises to be a gritty telling of a spy’s life in the time of the Empire.

Production on the new series is rumored for early 2019. In addition to Stephen Schiff, screenwriter Jared Bush will join the series as well. His most recent works were the animated features Zootopia and Moana in 2016.

Image: Disney/Lucasfilm

With both the Rogue One spinoff and Jon Favreau’s upcoming series The Mandalorian, Star Wars storytelling is certainly taking on new life away from the hero sagas of the films. With Favreau and Stephen Schiff producing, respectively, fans are eager with anticipation to see what Disney’s new streaming series will have to offer.

Source: Deadline