The long conjectured third Star Wars trilogy has kept fans guessing for decades, and may even have a few numerologists working on their mysteries. George Lucas’ shifting feelings about future Star Wars trilogies have consistently clouded the picture. Given the difficulties associated with the birth of Star Wars in 1977, it’s no wonder that Lucas’s ideas kaleidoscoped. When trying to get such a big undertaking up and running and out the door, visions of the future are understandably hazy. But, as of October 30, 2012, Episodes VII, VIII and IX have been announced as real and soon to be tangible — but they’ve existed as gossamer spirits for nearly 40 years.
On December 29, 1975, in conversation with Alan Dean Foster per the novelization of Star Wars, Lucas mentioned the prequel trilogy along with what would become Episodes V and VI: “I want to have Luke kiss the Princess in the second book. In the third book, I want the story just about the soap opera of the Skywalker family, which ends with the destruction of the Empire. Then someday I want to do the back story of Kenobi as a young man – a story of the Jedi and how the Emperor eventually takes over and turns the whole thing from a Republic into an Empire, and tricks all the Jedi and kills them. The whole battle where Luke’s father gets killed. That would be impossible to do, but it’s great to dream about.”
As Lucas came to terms with Twentieth Century-Fox during the making of Star Wars, he secured the legal rights to his sequels, though they remained undefined at the time. On location for the first phase of principal photography in Tunisia in March 1976, Lucas began a long tradition of talking with close collaborators, voicing his ideas for these other episodes and trilogies, much as Walt Disney would do of his projects.
“You know, when I first did this, it was four trilogies,” Mark Hamill recalled in 2004, speaking of their conversation in 1976. “Twelve movies! Out on the desert, any time between setups… lots of free time. And George was talking about this whole thing… ‘Um, how’d you like to be in Episode IX?’ ‘When is that going to be?’ ‘2011.’ […] I said, ‘Well, what do you want me to do?’ He said, ‘You’ll just be like a cameo. You’ll be like Obi-Wan handing the lightsaber down to the next new hope.’”
In 1978, a Time magazine article reported that the Star Wars Corporation (a subsidiary Lucas had formed for Star Wars) would be producing “Star Wars II [Empire], and then, count them, 10 other planned sequels.” At that time Lucas consistently mentioned 12 films and even created a barebones outline to that effect.
In it, the original trilogy occupied Episodes VI, VII, and VIII; a Clone Wars trilogy took up Episodes II, III, and IV, while Episode I was a “prelude,” Episodes IX through XI were simply left blank – and Episode XII was the “conclusion.”
In 1979, however, Lucas said in an interview on the set of Empire, “The first script was one of six original stories I had written in the form of two trilogies. After the success of Star Wars, I added another trilogy. So now there are nine stories. The original two trilogies were conceived of as six films of which the first film was number four.”
While in postproduction in early 1980, Lucas used to kick back from time to time with ILM manager Jim Bloom and muse about the bigger story. “The first trilogy is about the young Ben Kenobi and the early life of Luke’s father when Luke is a little boy,” Lucas said. “This trilogy takes place some 20 years before the second trilogy, which includes Star Wars and Empire. About a year or two passes between each story of the trilogy and about 20 years between the trilogies. The entire saga spans about 55 years. I’m still left with three trilogies of nine films. At two hours each, that’s about eighteen hours of film!”
While Empire was originally part of a 12-film plan, by the time it was released, the number had clearly been reduced to nine. “The prequel stories exist — where Darth Vader came from, the whole story about Darth and Ben Kenobi — and it all takes place before Luke was born,” Lucas explained at the time. “The other one — what happens to Luke afterward — is much more ethereal. I have a tiny notebook full of notes on that. If I’m really ambitious, I could proceed to figure out what would have happened to Luke.”
Lucas mentioned these notebooks — or one big book — to me, a few years ago. I asked if I could see it, but he declined. My feeling is that this big book or these notebooks are private, though Lucas has occasionally sent me via an assistant miscellaneous handwritten notes from the period 1976-1983 to help in the writing of the making-of books.
But two years later while filming Jedi, for many reasons, Lucas was burning out, tired of the whole enterprise: “I’m only doing this because I started it and now I have to finish it,” he adds. “The next trilogy will be all someone else’s vision.”
As of today, Lucas has given his new co-chairman Kathleen Kennedy several ideas and is really going into semi-retirement. Now, in a relatively short time, compared to the decades of speculation, fans will learn the secrets of Episodes VII, VIII and IX. Star Wars has risen again!
Lucasfilm executive editor J. W. Rinzler is the author of The Making of Star Wars and The Complete Making of Indiana Jones. He is now writing The Making of Return of the Jedi (and really looking forward to finishing it) for a fall 2013 release. You can visit jwrinzler.com for more info.
Tags: episode vii, future of star wars
Guys and gals!
Have some optimism!!!
First, Disney didn’t spend 40 billion with a B to piss off the fans.
Second, we can fully expect the Lucasfilm “tradition” of seeing the brand shimmer before we see “A long time ago . . .” rise on the screen. Kathy will appease the fans on all counts.
Third, GL stated he will be “Creative consultant.” He gets to air his ideas and visions without having to do the hard work.
Fourth, the BEST SW movie was dierected by Irvin Kirshner.
Fifth, we get to see a new vision for SW by a new generation of very talented and creative people. The only negative I would write is I HOPE they stay away from the books after Ep 6 — I never cared for them.
As for potential directors — I like the idea of Peter Jackson but I LOVE the idea of ZACH SNYDER. Just imagine!
Lastly, I have a feeling they will find a writer (or writers) and they will write all 3 scripts at once then they will begin filming, perhaps the whole thing in one go a la LOTR then edite and release.
What about the opening crawl. Will there be any changes to the opening of these films
So scared that Disney will Disneyfi Star Wars. Don’t get me wrong, I love Disney.
Oh and what about Indiana Jones?
The only good thing about this is that Lucas is NOT directing or writing them.
I guess this wipes out the entire post-ROTJ EU now. : (
I really think Lucas has lost his mind with this, bringing Maul back to life, and thinking he can make two more Indy’s.
What the hell ever happened to those independent films he was going to make.
That may be true, but it should be George’s choice because he created it. I myself hate the idea that Maul is somehow alive, but we should have to respect that. So why the hell is he SELLING!!!!!
You have to remember that the films were primarily for kids. Those of us who have grown up with it need to remember that and see the Star Wars universe through kids, eyes. Star Wars is going strong with kids THIRTY FIVE YEARS after the first movie came out! Like it or not, kids love Darth Maul….. Darth Maul sells stuff.
That said, I’m not sure all of the Clone Wars animated series is official cannon. Anyone?
I vote that Edgar Wright’s name should be out into the hat for choice of new Writer/Director for the New Trilogy.
This whole annoucement would be great had they said Lucasfilms was spearheading the projects.You can’t honestly tell me that George is 100 comfortable with Disney buying his creation.He didn’t even seem comfortable in the interveiw.Search your feelings,we all know it to be true.
My first thought on hearing this news was that it was a joke! But I’m cautiously optimistic about the whole thing. As people have mentioned, Disney did a great job with their Marvel property, so there’s hope that they’ll do the same with this. And, although I’d vote for a Zahn-based movie, as long as the new movies don’t screw up the history from the books/comics/games/etc. I think it’ll probably end up being a good thing.
Just please, please, get a good story before rushing to make a movie! Don’t burn people by making a money grab that ignores the fans and turns off the audience. Take time to do it right.
NO! PLEASE NO TIMOTHY ZAHN!!!
THe only reason why those books are so loved is because they were the first Star Wars novels in eight years. Talking wookies? Luke fighting a clone of himself names (no joke) Luuke?
NO!!!!!
I fell in love with the Star Wars saga six or seven years ago and I have been looking forward to the continuation of the saga for years.
The way I see it, Star Wars is much bigger now than it was in 1977. It has turned into a phenomenon and there are fans out there, from the originial trilogy, the prequel trilogy or both trilogies (I am among that group), who are looking forward to the continuation.
The only thing I say is I hope that they get a good director like Steven Speilberg, Peter Jackson or Christopher Nolan. What the continuation of the Star Wars saga needs is a director who will not make a movie that detracts from the books, comics, ebooks and novellas that already make up the expanded universe.
That is why I believe the next trilogy should be on the first trilogy to be published, the Thrawn trilogy.
I also believe that Lucas should be a bit more than a consultant. He should have direct say in what occurs and what doesn’t. I trust Kathleen Kennedy to not F up the saga but Lucas should still have say. He was the one that created Star Wars after all.
All in all, I am looking forward to 2015 when Episode VII is due to come out.
STAR WARS FOREVER!!!!!!!
Episodes 7 , 8 and 9 should be new stories. Not EU stories made into films. Start with a clean slate with the new films and don’t be constrained by the EU stories in the books and Comics. I’m excited for more Star Wars films can’t wait for Summer 2015 and beyond.
Agree 100%!
Woa…I understand the whole star with a “clean slate” idea, but that just isn’t Star Wars the way we know it. We can currently say that Star Wars is the only major franchise that has not had to have a major re-boot. I like that Everything fits neatly in a linear timeline, all the books, games, and movies so far with only minor reboots. I am extremely worried that this could be the first time we’ll have to throw out entire EU stories. Please tell me I’m wrong about that.
Agreed, the expanded universe is excellent! There is so much there to disregard it. It really makes me wonder what will be done.
Yeah, I think a reboot would be awful. That’s fine for Star Trek and comic book movies but Star Wars is a saga and it’s a heavily saturated universe and there are too many things to explain away through creative licence.
Yes, clean slate., Scrap those awful 90’s novels, etc. The six movies, The Clone Wars series… just go from there, It’s all we need and all that matters.
This video is in no way near a proper goodbye to these characters,to this whole mythology.Here is another thing bigger doesn’t always mean better,time has given us countless examples of this.Yes Disney has the money,power,and means to create more Star wars films.If the story and charm suffer then we all get the short end of the stick.In fact that’s why many perfer the classic trilogy, over the new trilogy with episode 3 being an exception.And you can’t tell me that George a man with such a pure love for his craft is sitting well with this decsioon
Typos on the last post.(commenting from my tablet)but hopefully my point still stands.
This is a sign of the end of times… End of the Mayan calendar and now this??
All kidding aside! Really looking forward to the potential this brings to the Star Wars universe. Very exciting times indeed. Always hoped there would be more films and now it is a reality. For all of us who grew up with the original films and who have children who have grown up being Clone wars fans, now we have something for the next generations to grown up with. Very special indeed. Star Wars has always been about dreams and hope. What a perfect way for Lucas to pass on his Legacy. Well done!
Oh, and I have to say it…
The Force will be with us…Always!
I hope they don’t just do the Thrawn trilogy. It’s weak (force- repelling tree slugs?!).
I’d love to see the original cast reprise their roles in some other (and preferably original) capacity. I just hope that the next trilogy can strike the perfect balance between respect for the existing, expanded universe ‘cannon’ without being beholden to or limited by it.
Its both sad and scary to see George Lucas move on, but I’m ecstatic that more Star Wars films are coming and can’t wait to take my kids to see the next Star Wars chapter play out on the big screen! I guess none of us will truly know just how to feel about this until 2015. Until then, I’ll be building my own expectations to ridiculous heights that could never possibly be met! Thank the maker!
Wow, I feel like a deer in the headlights…. not quite sure if it’s a good thing or bad. Having George still around in the wings, and Kathleen committed to protecting the existing canon and characters is a good thing; Disneys track record so far with Marvel is a good thing; talk of reboots BAD THING!!! talk of ignoring the EU completely, BAD THING!! The most important part of Star Wars to me over 38 years of fandom had been CONTINUITY and the way Lucas protected that. Without continuity, you have just a bunch of disconnected, random storytelling. So please Disney, lets continue the saga, focused around the characters and universe we have known and loved all these years… MAY THE FORCE BE WITH US…ALWAYS!!!!
The return of Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrisson Ford!!!!!
I really hope they get Timothy Zahn involved and use these sequels to bring The Thrawn Trilogy onto the big screen.
If you agree, please join this facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/162652207208806/
To be honest Lucas was holding the Star Wars Universe back from developing into that intrinsic universe we’ve all been waiting for. Yet everything said and done I dont think Disney was the best choice because of what they’ve done to the Avengers. Making big bucks doesnt equivocate success. Especially when they have decided to cut Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes which is the best hero anima I’ve see in a while, along with Young Justice. You see because Avengers EMH doesnt match what they did with the movie, they have decided to cancel a great show to create a new one that doesnt stay true to the real story of the Avengers…. However, I am gld to know they are making a new trilogy…lol
This is fascinating and also melancholy news. I think we all should give George Lucas a huge thank you for what he has given us – so many of us love and make films because of Star Wars.
It is sad to watch Lucas turn the franchise over, but also a necessary stage. There are many exciting directors who would be great matches – Andrew Dominik, Matt Reeves, Duncan Jones.
This also makes me wonder how much new John Williams music we will see. The 20th Century Fox logo will be gone. And so it’s a real time of transition for the fan base.
I hope the emphasis is on character and story and the weight of that world. The more real it felt the higher the stakes were and the best Star Wars films were always about human feelings and naturally told.
Best,
Tom
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I was thinking they would wait to finish the clone wars and the live action series!
We can currently say that Star Wars is the only major franchise that has not had to have a major re-boot. I like that Everything fits neatly in a linear timeline, all the books, games, and movies so far with only minor retcons. I am extremely worried that this could be the first time we’ll have to throw out entire EU stories. Please tell me I’m wrong about that.
I think your right.
Jos Whedon! That’s all I can say!
No one is going to make anyone throw out the EU stories. You can keep them and reread them anytime and choose to ignore the new stuff if you don’t like it. The films have always come along and superceded the EU. Thank goodness when it came to ESB they didn’t constrain Brackett and Kasdan to writing something that fit in after Splinter of the Minds Eye. The prequels totally blew up Zahn’s clone wars references. I hope they make something unexpected, original and with a dramatically precarious unknown outcome filled with the wonder and sense of another place that made the original films so amazing.
As much as I would absolutely love
for the Hand of Thrawn trilogy to be the storyline for the new trilogy, I have doubts about that for several reasons. First, the original cast is too old to convincingly play their roles if they use that trilogy, since it’s only set six years after ROTJ and unless they de-aged them by several decades with CG, it wouldn’t work. There’s also the issue of Mark Hamill. It’s doubtful he’d even be willing to return, since he’s distanced himself from star wars so thoroughly. So they’d have to re-cast the roles. If they did, I think Nathan Fillion (captain mal on Firefly) would make a damn good Han Solo, but that may just be wishful thinking. The Hand of Thrawn trilogy is also set too soon after ROTJ for what Lucas had in mind. He wanted to do the sequel trilogy well after the original trilogy. Personally, I wouldn’t mind if they focused on the Solo kids (Jacen, Jaina and Anakin) and played into Luke’s romance with Mara Jade, but it’d be difficult to introduce her without the context of the Hand of Thrawn story. Either way, I have much faith in Disney and in Lucasfilm to craft an exciting sequel trilogy that remains faithful to the spirit of Star Wars.
I believe either the book era of the New Jedi Order (25 ABY-29 ABY; After Battle of Yavin for those not so Star Wars nerdy) or Legacy of the Force (40-41 ABY) would be good for a Trilogy. NJO would be an epic trilogy with the Yuuzhan Vong taking over the galaxy in kinda a Star Wars version of borg, or Legacy would be another Skywalker gone bad story, but much more richer in the over all story. Either of them would be good. Cant wait, and if Lucas is okay with this all happening w/o his direct control, then I am as well
Couldn’t agree with this post more. There is so much to cover with the Vong and the Solo kids. It just makes sense, to bring something new to the saga. Vector Prime is 25 ABY, and the Skywalkers and Solos have aged, so there is a way to bring them back without having to use original cast members. Using the Solo kids would make perfect sense for a new generation of fans.
DISNEY AND LUCAS FILM WILL BE A POWER-HOUSE. DO A STAR-WARS THEME PARK, AWESOME. AN X-WING ROLLER-COASTER MAN ACE.
Looking forward to this. In recent interviews, George Lucas seemed to have a forlorn look, as if he had come to terms that he would not see the conclusion of his vision. After all darkness eventually falls and we all forever sleep. Disney if the logical choice to carry the reigns. I hope that Mr. Lucas lives very long and prospers and lat least while he draws breath has a hand or at least the pen of approval on all future Star Wars plans.
Disney has had nothing to do with the success of the Marvel Comics-based films. From “Iron Man” to “Marvel’s The Avengers,” it has been Marvel Films who has produced those films and made them as great as they have been. Disney appears to be hands-off when it comes to Marvel, and I can only hope they will do the same with “Star Wars.”
When huge studios meddle, we get horrible products on TV and on film. Let Marvel and LucasFilm continue to do what they do best. Disney, just sit back and enjoy the profits…
Step 1; Throw a LOT of money at Harrison “I’m done with Star Wars” Ford…
Step 2; Get Mark and Carrie on diets….
This is great news!
Now, please leave Jar Jar binks behind. Go back and watch Episodes 4, 5 and 6 before you even put ink on the paper.
I would love to see what happen in Joss whedon, J.J. Abrahams, Bryan Singer or Zack Snyder mind right now !!!
No Lucas? No Star Wars, period!
I still can’t believe it…. Hopefully these new movies have nice good stories (which they all do in my opinion!), and I do also hope it doesn’t conflict with the expanded universe. In any case this is the biggest news I’ve heard in a long time… a long time.
I’m guessing the (live action) TV shows that were once rumoured, have been lightsabered to oblivion.
I’m going to cry…. I grew up with Star Wars. It’s a very important part of my life.
I like the idea that kids will also live the same things, dream about wonderful stories and I can only wish that people feel the same as I felt, growing up with such extraordinary dreams.
But I really don’t see how they could do that! The story is complete. Books, games and everything: ok, but the movies are complete. It is the life of Anakin Skywalker, and the story is complete.
I’m very afraid that this will be too different for me to like it, and you don’t know how much I’d like to feel again how I felt about the 6 movies…. so, I’ll keep my eyes open. But I have a bad feeling about this…..
Great news!!
Really looking forward to the new Star Wars movie(s)!
My expectations:
- no JarJar Bings
- more realistic fights (not one jedi killing 1k of stupid robots)
- designs like in the old movies (used universe!)
- a good story (e.g. I was not conviced by the reason for Anakin turning to the dark side. From a Star Wars movie I would have expected a much better reason. Something I would also say “ok if that would happen to me I would also consider turn to the dark side” )
- No artificial added love story like in episode 2
- Return of the walkers (AT-AT & AT-ST)
- Return of the star destroyers
- Return of the falcon
- in best case no (fighting) robots at all
- maybe also using some old special effects (miniatures) because imo (some) of the same are still looking better than the CGI stuff
- no children as main characters
- a big suprise like “im your father”
Cheers
Andreas
I am so excited about this! With the respect Disney has Shown with Marvel and Pixar I am not worried. I am hoping this leads to a major Star Wars expansion in Hollywood Studios.
This cannot happen! The whole point of starwars is that it is just looking at Anakin’s life as a boy, a jedi and Darth vader. If you expand to episodes seven onwards, it ruins everything.
Plus, if you have bought a box sett you cannot split the films into 1-3 and 4-6. It worked really well.
These sequels MUST follow the expanded universe or it won’t make sense! episode VII has to be about Thrawn or warlord Zsinj or maybe Darth Bane!
I really really hope they stay true to the books. Hopefully they start with Thrawn!
[...] case scenario for the EU? A jump. We know that Lucas mentioned Luke as an Obi-Wan figure to Mark Hamill back during the 1976 filming of Star Wars, and a jump to an older Luke could leave some or most of [...]
[...] Den of Geek, IGN, & Star Wars Blog Damon GeneDamon Gene is the editor-in-chief of GeekSentinel.com and regular contributor for [...]
I’ve been telling people it was supposed to be 12 films for decades, after seeing it mentioned in an interview. But this is the first documentary evidence to support that claim.
Thanks for the article and the vindication!!!
I have bean a STAR WARS fan all my life. When I first heard the news yesterday while i was at work, I was devistated. Now I’m excited !! I can’t wait till 2015 for the new film , but I am vary uneasy about Disney at the helm. I guess we will just have to wait and see.. May the force be with us all!
This is very interesting news! I never thought I’d see the third trilogy. Thanks, George!
[...] [...]
i would give anything to be a stormtrooper or something like that in Episode VII.
[...] The Long, Winding, and Shapeshifting Trail to Episodes VII, VIII & IX [...]
One of many things I think George Lucas has done well over the last 35 years is diligently tracking and enforcing the consistency of the story and timeline in all of the various Star Wars movies, books, comics, games, cartoons, etc. That is NOT a small, simple task but he’s managed to do a pretty decent job. So it concerns me that Disney just bought Lucasfilm and says they intend to make new movies – Star Wars Episodes 7, 8, and 9. More specifically, I’m concerned by a couple of the news stories where it was reported that these new movie episodes will be a continuation of the story of Luke/Leia/Han/etc after Return Of The Jedi. If this turns out to be true, I think there is danger of the existing, consistent story and timeline being contradicted. For example, there are over 100+ Star Wars novels, most of which fill in a HUGE amount of storyline for the next 40-50 years AFTER Return Of the Jedi. So if Disney makes a movie during that same time period there is a good chance it will overlap with the numerous books. This could be great if one of the excellent book trilogies like Timothy Zahn’s (Heir To The Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command) is adapted and makes it to the big screen. Or it could be a disaster if they trash the existing story and timeline and create a new one that is contradictory. If that happens, I think the internet might finally implode from all of the nerd rage, Lucas-bashing, and arguments over which stories are cannon and which are not. My hope is that Disney will tell a story in one of two “safe” eras: 1.) go backwards 1000 years earlier to the Old Republic era where the story and timeline have been covered less…or… 2.) go forward 200+ years after Return of the Jedi when Luke/Leia/Han/etc and their children (also thoroughly covered in the books) have all passed. Whatever happens, I’m grateful for the fun universe that George Lucas gave us to play in. And I love ALL SIX movie episodes he made and the new Clone Wars TV show too, regardless of what anyone else says about them.
I dont see Ford ever coming back to SW. He doesnt even really like talking about it. Hamill, and Fisher are a maybe, but not Ford. I would like to see the Thrawn trilogy made. I just hope, for the sake of all of us in the costuming world, that they dont ignore the EU canon, or will it even be canon if they do? We have spent a lot of time, sweat, and money of some of the EU costumes to get them up to canon standard, and if they will no longer be canon, that would be a shame. Costumers WILL be watching this VERY closely.
[...] le sujet, je vous conseille la lecture de cet excellent article publié sur le blog officiel : The Long, Winding, and Shapeshifting Trail to Episodes VII, VIII & IX (en [...]