For Star Wars fans, today’s great news is seismic. The prospect of new movies invites a rush of questions as the mind races to grasp its implications. The one that sticks in my mind, though, isn’t about the movies. It’s: “Where were you when you heard?” While the temptation is to speculate wildly on what lies beyond the horizon and be mindful of the future, I also don’t want to lose track of the present, as Qui-Gon advises in Episode I.
To my fellow old school Star Wars fans, I ask you to reach into your collection and dust off Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine #10, the Winter 1990 issue of the official fan club magazine. I’ll wait while you admire the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade cover. Now flip it open, and there, on page 1, is the breathless headline that blares, “The FORCE To Return In The 90’s!!”
I’ll let slide the non-standard rendering of “’90s,” and the double exclamation point – things I’d nix as an editor – because I can recall my excitement, as a 15-year-old, reading that news. It was an antediluvian era of fandom, where I could only expect an official update once every three months, and I didn’t have that many like-minded fans to discuss this news with. Being stuck with just that tantalizing announcement for months on end is what let it solidify in my mind as a memory. Nowadays, everything moves so quickly … but I have been keeping notes.
This announcement of new movies is the culmination of several other big changes at Lucasfilm. It was on Friday, June 1, when the word came down that Kathleen Kennedy would be joining Lucasfilm as its co-chair. I was at Lucasfilm Animation that morning, in the screening room seeing work in progress of future installments of The Clone Wars and Detours. Meagan Finnerty plucked me out of the screening because something BIG was going down, and the folks at StarWars.com needed me right away to help with a rush post, something made particularly unusual since I was no longer on the online team. Rush post? What kind of breaking news could there possibly be?
That was the first piece of great news. I had met Kathleen briefly during the making of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and I had long admired her work. In reviewing her impressive filmography so that we could post it online, it was easy to see at a glance just how many acclaimed movies she has produced. This was a true moviemaking power being put in command of Lucasfilm. It wasn’t hard to speculate what this could mean. Definitely more movies in Lucasfilm’s future… but could we dare think it would mean more Star Wars?
Then on June 29, 2012, I found out. I was called into a meeting to discuss, oh, something or other about updating future messaging for Lucasfilm. In order for me to get a better grasp of what that future entailed, my boss just sprang the news on me that, and I quote, “We’re making seven, eight and nine.” He didn’t say Star Wars. He didn’t have to. Why else would those numbers have any relevance?
I needed to sit down. I suspect he told me the news in precisely that way to gauge my reaction. I said something that’s unprintable here.
I picked up a small pocket-sized 160-page lined notebook. This would be my Grail Diary of the future of Star Wars. I quickly scribbled down all that had happened so far. See, I was lucky enough to have a ringside seat to the making of Episode III from 2003 to 2005. Back then, it was my job to keep an online journal of the making of that movie. Alas, that digital diary has vanished into the Internet ether, but my notes remain. So, regardless of whatever my role might be in witnessing the future of Star Wars, I wanted to continue to keep these notes, because people expect me to know the when and where of these things.
In short order, I met with some of Kathleen Kennedy’s key staffers who were now aboard with Lucasfilm. I introduced myself to her expanding story development team, and offered what insight I could given my long history with Star Wars and my deep knowledge of the saga. I’ve been fortunate to become known as one of the guys who knows Star Wars inside and out within the company. As George Lucas began preparing his treatments for future films, I’d get random requests for research from his office, and helped prepare documents, primers and writer guides for the next generation of Star Wars filmmakers, whoever they may be.
Then, just a few short days ago, the other shoe dropped when I heard about the Walt Disney Company acquiring Lucasfilm. My first thought went to that 1990 article with its seven scant paragraphs that promised new movies. When George talked about the future of Star Wars, over 20 years ago, he was at Walt Disney World. It was destiny. The will of the Force at work.
At this point, I don’t know many specifics, but boy can I speculate. It’s what Star Wars fans do best, after all. I’m just thrilled they’re happening, and that Star Wars is returning to the big screen where it belongs.
Pablo Hidalgo is paid to know the difference between Romba and Lumat and dies a little bit inside when you misspell Wookiee or Lucasfilm. He lives in San Francisco.
Tags: episode vii, future of star wars
[...] (le récent The Essential Reader’s Companion, un guide incontournable sur les romans). Dans un post publié hier sur le blog officiel, il révèle avoir appris l’existence de cette nouvelle trilogie lors d’une réunion [...]
The Thrawn Trilogy would be good, but then again they could use some of the original cast if they did the Yuuzhon Vong War. It starts 17 years after ROTJ so the actors would be a little closer to their character’s actual age.
I’ll be exiting to see Thrawn on the big screen.
I agree. Unfortunately everything I have read so far says that it will be a brand new story with nothing coming from the expanded universe. They even want a “fresh face” to play Luke Skywalker. No Mark Hamill… are you kidding me? This just might turn out to be the biggest mistake Lucas has ever made.
At some point you had to know that there would be a recasting of the original characters. The film isn’t going to jump 50 years and lose all the non die yards out there that haven’t read hundreds of book/comics.
Considering that (and for now going with the idea that that is the what they will do), who do you think should compose the revised cast? For me, I think there is one key role to fill. And that is the role of Solo. Luke, for me, is easy; Matthew Gubler from CBS’s Criminal Minds. Even Leia isn’t as important as there are a plenty of women who are good looking and strong willed enough to play her. But Han Solo, who has his swag? Who do you think can potentially fill his shoes? If we have to have a recast, shouldn’t we at least voice our opinions on who is best?
I agree… Thrawn is the logical expectation by fans. To eventually see Mara Jade, Jaina Solo… I couldn’t be more rocked by the expectation.
The novels have been an unprecedented collaboration, of Lucas’ team and authors to create a contiguous dozens and dozens of books of various series … volumes where amazingly, one book picked up the story left by the last … where Luke’s era lived on contiguously. Any fan that has missed it, should pick them up for an amazing ride.
Unfortunately, George has expressed disregard for anything other than the films as it relates to canon. If he outlined the stories for the latest coming trilogy in recent years, he likely didn’t hold true with canon and the amazing accomplishment and talent of his team and the authors both.
Mara Jade, the Solo’s kids … all gone? As a fan, I would really dislike that. I hope Katherine and Disney don’t start off on that foot.
i completely agree but is that for sure what they are going to do? cause in the interveiw it seemed like they were getting authors together to talk about a different story besides the Thrawn trilogy. i would love tho see Thrawn rain his terror on the galaxy on the big screen.
Doesn’t look like the Thrawn trilogy.
It has to be THE story if it’s called VII, VIII and IX based on the original treatment with the known characters especially Luke.
If it is expanded universe it could only be Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn Trilogy! The story is brilliant and Thrawn is destined to appear on the Big Screen! (Leave out the numbers in this case!)
Hey, work title is Episode 7, that doesn´t mean it will stay that way. The story could be easily placed anywhere in time, including between 3 and 4, could be a new saga, with nothing in common with Skywalker – that theme is already said from A to Z – and the next movie could be named again Episode 1….AND even if it remains 7, it´s just another episode, with a story a long time ago….personally I don´t think it will have anything in common with the first hexalogy…
Can’t Wait!!!
It’s going to be interesting to see what they will do with VII, VIII and IX. If they allow the use of the expanded universe. The Thrawn Trilogy is an option. But personally I would love to see Kyle Katarn on the screen. They just have to get his complicated character right
True, the potential is there for multiple Star Wars films along different characters and films, like Kyle, over the next 20 years. As someone who in 6th grade walked to the theater every day in the ’70’s to see the original Star Wars, I’m loving this news. I’ve really got to keep that cholesterol down to keep in shape to survive the next 2 decades … bring it on.
Kyle Katarn would be my first choice also, considering that it was him working with the rebels and getting the plans of the 1st Death Star… they can also add other EU characters, but Kyle is a must for me
[...] Hidalgo wasn’t the only person who’s been keeping this bombshell a secret. According to an interview at Entertianment Weekly, Mark Hamill says he and Carrie Fisher have [...]
Where was I? I was in my history class, when my friend excitedly told me the news. I honestly don’t know how to feel. I can’t wait for the new movies, but I’m worried about what they will bring. they are supposed to include Luke, Leia, and Han, but I don’t know how I will feel about the new looks and actors/actress. I was rather upset that it had been given to Disney, because I’m a huge fan of the TV show, and that’s on Cartoon Network. Where will it go? I mean, obviously it’s too ‘violent’ for the Disney-style kids. I love that there will be new movies, but if the plotline is changed completely, we may all be left wishing for our heros from the 80’s….(I find it ironic my favorites were the originals, and they’re like, 20 years older than I am. LoL)
I must say I am looking forward to the new movies, the last thing I expected out of my friend’s mouth this morning was Disney bought out the Star Wars franchise! Then I googled it, and found news about 7,8, and 9. News flash to me! I also kinda worry about the fighting scenes and endings. I mean, knowing Disney, they aren’t exactly people for violence. All their movies basically are intended to leave the theatre and feel warm and fuzzy inside. I hope the movie has fighting, because it’s not Star Wars without it.
The “source” that says that star wars is going o be an original story and not EU is e! you know the gossip magizine… the one that says that elvis still lives… and will most likly say anything to make a few pennies…
Disney still makes good movies…look at Pirates of the Caribbean saga so no problem here. The big issue of humanity is the reticence to changes….i want more movies related to Star Wars Universe (best SF franchise ever) no matter if it’s called Episode VII-IX or Knights of the old republic or something totally new……the other option is no movie at all (and im actually glad that Lucas sold his franchise). For those who got a problem with new movies and are chained to Episodes IV-VI…..nobody force u to watch the new movies…hit the replay button again and again.
the pirates movies get worse with each new movie.
What Pirates MOVIES? As far as I am concerned, there is only ONE pirate movie – The Curse of the Black Pearl is it´s name. And don´t try to convince me I´m wrong
They don’t need to recycle an old story as long as they put the new story far enough into the future to establish a new status quo along with keeping it reasonably possible to leave an old yet still usable Luke (the force is the ultimate plot device, it can extend life greatly.) CGI (à la tron) Mark Hamel and put him in the B plot first movie and give him a meaningful death second movie to up the ante. Avoid the prequel route of connecting almost every supporting character from the last trilogy (no Fetts of heirs to the Calrissian smuggling empire need apply) unless it’s done in a brief and funny easter egg manner (Lando’s face being turned into a logo or briefly antagonizing the audience by making it seem a gungan will have a major role). Balance must be maintained between catering to the chief demographic (the young) and the fanboys who give the series its soul. You can even butterfly away Legacy of the Force (which happens later anyway) by saying its a possible future seen through and possibly avoided by the force. Just expand the idea of a Galactic Alliance on the verge of collapse with numerous factions ready to tear into its carcass. You can also use the idea of a Jedi Order no longer sanctioned as government backed peacekeepers that is fast becoming UN blue helmets, soldiers hamstrung by regulations and restrictions slowly watching the universe commit suicide. Add to this a new breeds of Sith which have abandoned the rule of two (in order fulfill the quota of lightsaber on lightsaber action) and a Cerberous esque wing of the Jedi Order and voila, you’ve got a hit capable of spawning millions worth of merchandise and tv spinoffs. Finally in keeping with the EU’s current direction of personifying Archetypes, make the big bad a living embodiment of corruption, equal parts Palpatine and Abeloth, who indirectly holds influence in centers of power such as the Galactic Senate, the lost tribe’s Sith home world, and even the innermost halls of the Jedi temple.
P.S
I could help write the crap out of this if you let me.
Come on. You know Disney is going to destroy all that is left of any thread of story from Lucas’s last mistake. I’ll go see them , but not with the hope I had coming into episode 1. IV ,V , VI will always be the best. It’s just money from here on out. May The Force Be With Us All.
I find your lack of faith disturbing.
I´m sorry, there some truth in it – just imagine any new star wars “like” movie – WITHOUT J. Williams music….
A new trilogy sounds amazing at first. Then it hits you like a ton of bricks. The realization of your childhood being distroyed slowly movie by movie in the next couple decades. Then you think o the Thrawn trilogy that would be perfect we are fine. Then you hear nope no Thrawn. No Master Zahn to save our Star Wars lives. Just a round table of hopefully someone who has a little bit of Star Wars knowledge. Even though the great Lucas made some bad choices (that i didnt mind that much) in the prequels it is going to be different to see him gone. Even if he is staying on as a creative consultant. Its going to be weird without his creative mind driving the whole movie now he is just riding shotgun. A new writer might be good though. Maybe a freash mind will get it right. We as fans need a new ending. Stoping with the prequels killed a lot of Original Trilogy fans maybe an amazing ending to the whole thing is what they need to relize that this is what they need. Star Wars is what i love. Dont ruin it Disney. You did good by Pirates of the Caribean. You have big shoes to fill and a lot of fans that you dont want to piss off. There are alot of key things you need to get right. Do right by the fans.
My mind races with uncertainty. It thinks and wonders “what does this mean?” What will be in store for the smuggler, the princess, and the boy from Tatooine who came to change the past for the entire galaxy including mine? Does this mean that we will see the Thrawn of Csilla. Although I have been through the prequels and have enjoyed them unlike other fans how will this alter my mind set on the trilogy that has brought me from the farthest depths on the lowest days. Will i see what i have read in the books that i adore? Will Mr. Abrams satisfy the needs of the entire fan that have been hurt too many times by the great George Lucas. Will Mr. Abrams fill the needs of all the Lucas lovers out there? There is a great void in the galaxy and this may be the thing to fill the void, but at the same time this may be the same thing that destroys it all. This may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. A tear will fall from my eye tonight as I think of the possibilities good and bad for my Star Wars. May the force be with all.
guys im having trouble with this mission on kotor2 i cant crack a riddle with T3-M4 in voggas warehouse
WTF Lucasfilm is up with the video on the main page “the rise, fall and redemption of Anakin Skywalker” Episodes I, III & III get a whole 90 seconds out of a 5 min video????? I been a fan since 1977 I’m a sick and tried of is bias attitude towards to EP. VI-VI! Star Wars is a saga. Deal with it! 6 films have been made, so far, not 3! STOP alienating us saga fans! And give ALL six films the respect they so rightly deserve! I’m and VERY unhappy with Lucasfilms B.S. I’m know there are millions more that feel this way. Your boss made SIX movies, give him, and the films some God Damn respect!!!!!!!
I agree. Lucasfilm is free to do whatever video they want, but if they call it “The Rise, Fall and Redemption of Anakin Skywalker”, then it should be about Anakin Skywalker and shouldn’t ignore the reasons for his rise and especially fall.
With all the recent events taking place, does anyone know the fate of the future cinema release of eps II, III, IV, V, VI in 3d (& 3d bluray relase of ep I. ?
Please no novelization adaptions. The actors are too old now to start the Thrawn Trilogy. Can you imagine Carrie Fisher pregnant at her age or Harrison Ford putting on his striped pants at flying around the galaxy with Chewie at his age?
Tell Fisher,Ford, and Billy Dee to stay at home. Have Hamill play a 200+ year old Jedi Master and keep R2 and C3PO. The rest should be a new cast of characters.
Get Johnny Williams cranking out music quickly and get a script writer and a director who are both known for character development and story. Any wooden acting in Episode VII is going to sink this franchise. The special effects should be the least of their worries. We do not need to raise the bar with more mammoth CGI space battles that are cold and emotionless.
One last thing…no name actors and actresses. It will be harder to attach to new characters if all we are thinking is their previous film roles.
[...] Mark Hamill on the future of STAR WARS EW: Timothy Zahn on new movie plans StarWars.com: Pablo Hidalgo: On The Brink Of The Future (as a side note, Matthew still has that issue of the Lucasfilm Fan Club tucked away somewhere) [...]
I personally like to see the Thrawn Trilogy come alive on the big screen. I really liked the characters of Thrawn and especially Mara Jade.
I also think that a good story for sequels is the Dark Empire series from Dark Horse comics.
It would also be nice to see Boba Fett in action again since he is alive and well in the expanded universe.
No. Besides Luke, it would make no sense to put the decrepit main cast back into a action heavy role when they all are in their 60’s (and has anyone even looked at Hamel recently? Even with year long training regimen, a new heart and CRAPload of CG the idea that he should still be dating is untenable. We also don’t need recycled stories.The best thing about the original trilogy is that you don’t see the surprises coming. Lastly, Dark Empire is pretty much the exact same plot as 4-6 except darker and with more factions. Screw that.
PS
Let the Fett’s RIP please. Its bad enough 48% of the EU is devoted to Mandalorians, if another trilogy gets soaked in Mando’ade i’m going to throw a fit.
Totally agree!!! New stories, new and unknown character, and I´m not even sure about R2 and 3PO….there´s a lot of things about star wars we love so much, Vader, the white stormtroopers, Jar Jar…..well…..
……may they rest in peace, recycliing those characters would bring the same effect as Jack Sparrow did – first movie great – each new I was just annoyed by the everytime presence of Jack Sparrow and gags I enjoyed so much in Black Pearl, but felted stupid in the next movies….same will happens with star wars if they go bact to old characters….the faraway galaxy needs fresh air, and we fans needs empty minds to be open to news…
Young foolz…only at the end will you underztaaaand…
Why? The end of episode VI is good! And Please may Mark Hammil make a comeback in episode VII?
YES ! think most star wars fans want this.Give us grandmaster Luke, show as what a Skywalker can do in his prime.And dont ignore EU characters like Mara Jaina etc etc. Great read btw.
Let’s not forget that Disney is behind some very classic sci-fi films…. The Black Hole, Tron… Tron 2 had some very mild PG violence… bodies being ripped apart into 8-bit chunks..
Very mixed feelings about these films being made….. but NOTHING in cinema compares to going to see an SW film on the big screen for the first time. (old enough to remember seeing “Empire” on the big screen… it was the night my obsession was spawned….)
I look forward to seeing these films on the big screen…. that’s what its all about. take all the toys, posters, merchandise, whatever… nothing compares to sitting cramped in the first row and seeing that emerald green logo appear, (followed promptly by “Disney presents” UGH) However…. young minds, fresh ideas. That reminds me.. look what happened to Star Trek. New studio got it, young talented directors got it, and the franchise was saved. Let’s hope the same thing is mirrored in Star Wars.
Oh, and for the comment about “(and has anyone even looked at Hamel recently? ”
Tron 2 – Jeff Bridges – digital botox. The technology exists to make these guys look the same as when Ep. 6 ended.
It’s all the James Cameron “Avatar” technology, etc….
But, from what I’ve read…. Skywalkers, solo’s, chewies… wont even be in it. And wtf is star wars without r2 and 3PO? Disney better make some very informed decisions before cutting characters.
I don’t need the Thrawn books to be done as a movie. I’m happy with them existing as they stand. And any new movies would have to assume that viewers hadn’t read those books.
That said, if the EU in general and the Thrawn books in specific are ignored or directly contradicted, I’ll be very sad. (Unless they just contradict the NJO books, because I really didn’t like them.)
As long as I can see the Thrawn books as coexisting in the universe of the new movies, I’ll be happy. The bonus points would be if Tim Zahn wrote the script.
Or, they could just mash the FOTJ series up into 3 movies, get the old actors back in (now that they’re age appropriate again) and have at it. Familiar faces, new story.
If the original cast is coming back, Carrie Fischer should go see a personal trainer and plastic surgeon immediately.
While the keepers of the Canon at LFL seem to be more and more on top of all the sources of EU lore, it also seems they are making more exceptions to established cannon (Force Unleashed or Eeth Koth coming back from the dead). It could be detrimental to the strength of SW canon to start mixing in conflicting stories, though throughout my time in RP communities and the 501st Legion, movie canon always trumps EU.
Well, the real question would be where the next set of movies would take of from ?
The events in the Vong war or maybe even the Jacen Solo Saga.
Heck they may even decide to go to an era not explored within the franchise.
Whatever the case – its thumbs up from me.
The Vong are too masochist to get into any movies. Make the movies 30-40 years after FOTJ and keep the kids in the background (utilize only when epic). I think the whole “Amalia as Jedi Queen” idea shouldn’t really be adapted. And seriously, screw the Darth Krayt saga (yet his character does have potential. Hint at him in the first movie, flesh him out during the second only to have him get torn to bits at the beginning of the final movie by the new Sith Lord)
The Jacen Solo/ Darth Caedus arc needs way to much backstory to be utilized. Throw it out and leave certain elements of it intact to flesh out the new Star Wars EU mythos
I used to imagine seeing Thrawn on the big screen (thought Jeremy Irons would have been great in this role) or Baron Soontir Fel, but never really thought it would come to pass…still not so sure they will jump on the EU bandwagon (I wouldn’t mind it).
But it was the Vong saga that I REALLY thought was made for the big screen. That could really be something fantastic. I’d certainly cry if I had to ‘lose Chewie’ again, but w/a ’send off’ as courageous & heroic as his – well, it would be painfully epic.
Whatever is clever. But I’ll be having anxiety issues about who will Direct and write the screenplay, ugh
For the love of the Force, PLEASE let it be someone GOOD! I wouldn’t mind the likes of Joss Whedon – not to be cliche – he has a real understanding of the importance of character building, and has a great sense of composition in regard to Sci-fi and action story telling. I’m pretty certain he is a Star Wars fan and would respect what a tremendous and important undertaking this would be. Probably won’t happen, but I’m just making an example anyway :p
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart as Jacen and Jaina Solo!
Disney may have the clout and production values to make new SW films, but I’m still skeptical as to how the end result will look like. Anyone else here remember John Carter?
I would love to see Disney use the EU as a template and some of the new characters to include the children of Luke,Mara, Han and Leia.
I would also like to see the Chiss and the remnants of the old empire fall in to the story line….
The search for New Force Sensitives should be apart of the newer story line, I also enjoyed the concept of the Vong warriors unseen in the force this causing the Jedi to react on real fighting skill as well as the force.
But just the same; I am as excited inside as I was when the news of Empire Strikes Back was being filmed…. and I hope Disney uses the force to look into the future and find a way to please the older fan base as well as the newer….. And if they are reading this than and want a real suggestion then… take this next thought into consideration.
A TV series based on the EU would probably blast the ratings of any sci-fi show ever off the charts.
Will there be Bounty Hunter Sand people in the 7th installment!