Jon Favreau to write, produce new Star Wars series

JonFavreauwill write and executive produce a live-actionStar Warsseries for the Walt Disney Co.'s planned streaming platform.

Lucasfilmpresident Kathleen Kennedy says in a Thursday announcement thatFavreauwill oversee the newspinoffseries.

"Jon brings the perfect mix of producing and writing talent, combined with a fluency in the Star Wars universe," Kennedy, Lucasfilm president, said in a statement.

"This series will allow Jon the chance to work with a diverse group of writers and directors and give Lucasfilm the opportunity to build a robust talent base."

Disney is readying a streaming service to compete with Netflix, and it has signalled thatStar Warswill be a major component. The not-yet-named service is planned to launch in late 2019.

Favreauhas been a Disney regular, having directed the first twoIron Manfilms for Marvel, helped produce severalAvengersmovies and directed 2016'sThe Jungle Book.He's currently prepping aLion Kingremake to be released in 2019.

He has someStar Warsexperience, too, having provided a voice forThe Clone Warsanimated series and will appear in a role in the upcoming Han SolospinoffSolo: A Star Wars Story.

"If you told me at 11 years old that I would be getting to tell stories in the Star Wars universe, I wouldn't have believed you," saidFavreau.