Via Variety.com:

Forest Whitaker is in negotiations to join the cast of Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars” anthology pic “Rogue One.”

The film stars Felicity Jones, Riz Ahmed, Diego Luna and Ben Mendelsohn, with Gareth Edwards directing.

Disney and Lucasfilm had no comment on the casting.

At April’s Star Wars Celebration convention in Anaheim, Edwards revealed that the plot of “Rogue One” revolves around the heist of the Death Star plans by a group of rebel fighters, with Jones starring as one of the rebel soldiers. Sources say Ahmed and Luna also play Alliance fighters. Whitaker’s role is unknown at this time.

The film will take place between Episode III and Episode IV, but closer chronologically to “A New Hope.” It’s set to bow December 16, 2016.

Whitaker is currently filming Denis Villeneuve sci-fi drama “The Story of Your Life” opposite Amy Adams, and is in negotiations to follow that film with “The Crow” remake in the fall before jumping into production on “Star Wars: Rogue One.”

He’ll next appear in Antoine Fuqua’s boxing drama “Southpaw,” a potential Oscar contender bowing later this summer, and is a producer on critically acclaimed Sundance hit “Dope,” which bows on June 19.

Whitaker is repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment.