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
Try to make the new movies the same as the old ones and confer with George Lukus to keep them on the same story line.
Do not make them about the old republic!! I would like to see movies about the old republic but the original story line should be finished first.
Might I suggest the Expanded Universe. Move on from the originals, continue the story on to when Luke, Leia, and Han have their own children and make the story about the next generation of Solos and Skywalkers. Make the next movies on there
life in the New Republic, show the deffinitive changes between the Republic and the New Republic. Show the life of the Jedi how it really works in the Jedi Temple. Don’t go over the top with the changes though, but make the new movies as adventerious as the rest, if you have to, refer back to the originals. I speak for all fans of Star Wars DO NOT DESTROY THE MAGIC GEORGE LUCAS CREATED! Keep us informed, and take in to consideration our ideas and suggestions and keep the magic alive for generations to come.
If they are to finish the main story line, it will be all the way to the end of Star Wars. I do agree though, but I would like to see the Sith Wars, and maybe a story about StarKiller, it will be a while before they make movies about the Old Republic. Thats just what I think, but either way, Star Wars is awesome so as long as Disney keeps with the story line, they shouldn’t have raging fans out there.
Noooooooooo!
Leave the darn novels out of it! Leave the comics out of it!
These new films need to be independent of anything but the first 6 films…PERIOD!
here! here! This new trilogy needs to be unaffiliated with anything that is out there today. Books, comics, and games included.
Mara Jade, the “Empirers Hand”, as played by Scarlet Johanson.
NO. Any movie with Scarlet JOhansen (Miss Overrated) as Mara Jade, I will personally lead a crusade to boycott the movies. She would be a HORRIBLE choice.
Best choices for Mara would be, considering she is around the same age as Luke, would be Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Gillian Anderson, or Marcia Cross… if you are going au natural.
If you are going any over-40 actress with dyed red hair…Cameron Diaz, Claire Forlani, Dina Meyer, Michelle Pfeiffer, or Liz Hurley.
I would take almost any of the above mentioned Star Wars Novels or Video Games as movie adaptations, there are some fantastic characters and plots in the SW universe. Even though I’d first like to see what notes Lucas had written on his own.. There may be some ideas that could coincide with Heir to the Empire, Jedi Academy, LotJ or many others.
Face it, We all wanted more Star Wars. Problem is that Lucas’ stories became our fantasy. We pictured what we wanted the movies to be and forgot that it is His vision, His Story and his Galaxy. I may not like certain parts or certain movies in the sets, but it is Star Wars. As long as I live I will keep watching them and try to finish the Saga until it ends.
We all have vested interest in what will happen in the upcoming movies other wise we would bother reading this blog let alone making comments on it.
I also think its safe to say that we are in shock, to one degree or another since we found out about Disney’s purchase.
I have always had a vision of what 7,8,and 9 made be about since I heard that there were plans about them. and that was years before I was even aware of the “expanded universe”. Since I have found and enjoyed much of the EU I think just about any aspect of it could make a great movie (or three).
I think the biggest trick in making use of the EU material in upcoming movies is that you could be dealing with a lot of the audience not being familiar with it and would be clueless as to were the story comes from or what it’s about. With that being said, I think that 7 has to deal with the Skywalker story but fold in some of the EU material so that the series can more logically expand into the EU material on the big screen.
We are just going to have the trust Disney won’t screw things up (mostly because we don’t have any other option) with this story that a huge part of us has come to love.
Just remember, “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to Suffering.”
I think episode VII should be a musical.
Just kidding
Since i watch ROTJ i have been debating myself if there should be an episode VII or not and every time I concluded a different result. If they shoot the sequal I know everyone who is linked to Star Wars will go to the movie even if they hate the idea of a sequal, there is no escape from it.
What I suggest is try to close you eyes and ears till 2015 and go to the movie with no expectactions at all, just like watching original episode in the ‘77 or when you first watch it ( mine was on TV in ‘85). Maybe then if we are lucky we might enjoy the sequal, whoever directs it, whoever plays it and whatever path they chosen for our sacred movie
The most important thing Disney can do is make sure John Williams scores the new films. The one piece of the series that doesn’t fail in any of the 6 films is the Music. If it doesn’t sound like Star Wars, it won’t be Star Wars. Most anybody who has read any of the EU books will admit to hearing Williams iconic themes in the backs of their minds as they turn page to page. The soundtrack to these films is one of the most important and defining roles!
I think the best decision would be to go several centuries into the future, long after the characters have died off. That way they can make a completely fresh start. No baggage from the old series, no baggage from the new series, just a completely new era for Star Wars, which is exactly what this is!
So I realise I may be setting myself up for a Fanboy beatdown, but i haven’t read any on the novels personally so I’m wondering if anyone can tell me how Boba Fet survived the pit in “Jedi”?
IMO, I’d also love to see Mark Hamil return as Luke Skywalker and for the story to continue to follow to the Skywalker family. I love this idea that we have seen played out in Star Wars (and a couple of other films, eg Legend of the Overfiend) where there is this absolute power, this “chosen one” that ultimately succumbs to the the magnitude of his own power and then in the end it is the son who “brings balance”. It’s a concept that hasn’t been overused.
I see us picking up on a universe that has been at peace for the last 3(?) decades since the fall of the Empire and the again demised of the Sith. Luke Skywalker, who is the unwavering figure of good like his master Yoda before him, has worked tirelessly to resurrect the Jedi council and train his sister, Leia, who is now a skilled Jedi and also Han Solo, in the ways of The Force. Han and Leia are also members of the council.
To keep it within the Skywalker bloodline I like the this concept that the temptation of the Darkside is something that effects the family line through the generations.
Both Luke and Leia have their own child, they are similar in age and both have trained in the ways of The Force since an early age. Leia has a girl, brave and nurturing like her mother and Luke has a boy, who is also adventurous and free spirited. Although the children are the best of friends (and Cousins), when the Darkside presents itself to both of them one will be turned while the other will be responsible for saving their beloved family member…..or destroying them.
This concept sets up a circular pattern in the generational cycle and the amount of films each character appears over a 12 film, 4 trilogy timeline, which works out to 6 films per generation.
Meaning the generational film timeline would be as follows:
Anakin Skywalker – Ep1 to Ep6 (First 3 film featured Anakin only commencing the bloodline)
Luke Sywalker – Ep4 to Ep9
Luke Skywalker Jnr Leia Skywalker Jnr – Ep7 to Ep12 (Last 3 films should feature Luke Jnr & Leia Jnr only finalizing the bloodline)
Obviously there are a few details to be developed to fill another 6 films, but as far as the Skywalker bloodline living on I do like this idea.
Thoughts?
Yes, agree it will conclude Skywalker story and set up for a new direction
Please Disney and Kathleen, bring to us atmosphere and drama like Lucas, Kershner, Kasdan & Williams and company once did with Empire strikes back. And please, hire Steven Spileberg; we all know that he’s a man.
With love from Zadar, Croatia
I’ve read that the next 3 films will be based on original ideas (who knows at this point what GL has in those treatments) .. One of the several directions that LucasFilm could travel would be to release a stand-alone film on a character such as Boba Fett
Therefore (even though no script exists yet) I’d like to add Joe Johnston’s name to the potential directors list that is already forming
Bring on 2015 .. MTFBWY!
Vii- has many ways to go explore:
I think, Luke starts the academy and reforms Jedi council, turns to dark side (as there are no sith left) and the acedemy splits between lite/dark. With the help of the masters and solo’s Luke returns to lite as grand master but a few of his pupils stay dark and bring the sith back. Utilize Chiss, Mando’s and Mara Jade.
Or- just make every EU trilogy book a movie, love to see Jedi academy, heir/empire,
There will always be ones wanting to be chosen to be Sith…
I think that if you are going to have a the new films set after return of the jedi then you have to have Mark Hammil, Carrie fisher and Harrison Ford and as many characters from the original films play there original roles as you can. I can’t think of anything better than seeing Mark Hammil pull on the Jedi Robe and kick some sith butt. Or Harrison get back to his swashbuckling best with chewy. But also introduce a whole world of new characters at the same time each with depth and a whole story of their own so we can fall in love with them. Otherwise the alternative story is to follow the knights of the old republic theme which is amzingly popular with gamers and set the films way back before and unrelated to the original six films with all new characters And follow the path of a chosen one who learns the force becomes a jedi and brings balance once again with a world run by powerful sith lords there is a lot of depth to explore in these old republic stories and a lot which I think the die hard star wars fans will like.
Have you seen what Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher look like now? It would be a Raisinettes commercial. Mark Hamill now looks like an old William Shatner so my opinion is make the movies 200 years after ROTJ with a new cast and a new threat to the New Republic but have Hamill as an ancient Jedi Master (requires little makeup IMHO) and have R2 and C3PO for continuity of the saga. Let Ford make another Indy movie in which he jumps into a microwave to save himself and let Carrie Fisher continue her Weight Watchers program.
Darren Aronofsky anyone?
I would love to see the adaptation of Shadows of the Empire,Even if it was Straight to DVD,Blu-ray and it could even be done in the way the Clone Wars Cartoon series. Just to see how that would look in motion rather than on the flat pages of a book would so be epic! I’m not gonna pejudge these movies before they are made.Guessing if it’s gonna be bad or good is a fools game these days.Some will love,some will hate. That will never change with anything in this world.
vou ter de ver esses filmes
If anyone has been reading the previous EU series “Fate of the Jedi.” Then they will know where the galaxy stands at this point. It has been posted that the story will be an original story. The best way for Disney to leave the EU alone and still be Original is for the story to take place in the current gap between the Fate of the Jedi Series and the Legacy Era.
This meaning Luke and the Jedi Order seperate from the Galactic Alliance. Keia as a Jedi Knight, Han along for the ride, Chewie dead, Ben Skywalker (the fresh blood for continuing the movies), Jaina Solo-Fel (more fresh blood), Emperor Jagged Fel of the Imperial Remnant (Fresh Blood again), and the potential of the Lost tribe of the Sith.
Where they take that there is up to them, but this is the ONLY option for them to write original stories and to leave the EU alone. Culminating in the death of Luke Skywalker.
I am grateful that George Lucas created this universe and I have enjoyed getting absorbed in the EU. Whilst there are many good books in it there are only three great ones with strong enough new characters, storylines and credibility and that is Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn Trlogy. I think they should just bite the bullet and get new actors to play Han, Leia and Luke and that will give them greater scope to do more films in the immediate timeline. If they attempted to use Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford then it would have to be set too far in the future and would miss out on too many good stories.
I sincerely hope they make the right choice and choose the Thrawn Trilogy as I cannot wait to see Thrawn on screen and of course the best EU character of them all, Mara Jade.
Somewhere between episodes VII and VIII, there should be a KOTOR movie.
Two words: THRAWN TRILOGY!
For more please read my editorial on wordpress…search tenseicoalition
As you have probably noticed, I have very limited knowledge. I’m just a huge fan of Anakin Solo, and got sick of EU when the New Jedi Order and Fate of the Jedi turned the series into a crappy soap opera.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MARA JADE IN THE MOVIE.
I would like to see them use Prince Xisor I liked that book and it takes place right after the death of Darth Vadar.
I can see it now,Jedi High School musical.Staring Zac Effron.
Try watching the prequels 1-3 all at once. They are much more enjoyable and (less disappointing) knowing that more movies are on the way.
BTW– wouldn’t mind seeing Mandalorians in the new movies directed by either Zack Snyder or Peter Jackson.
Oh forgot to say — I think Disney did great with the Pirates of the Carib movies when I thought they would totally stink. I love them. John Carter wasn’t successful but no one could deny that the production quality was first rate.
I think Disney will do fans proud!
The Trawn trilogy was great, but the only problem of using it as a basis for new movies is that it is set 5 years after ROTJ, and all the principle actors have aged too much to bring that off in a concincing way.
Fist of all, it is mentioned that the sequels will not be any EU story. So there goes the Trawn Trilogy, the Dark Empire Trilogy (where Luke fights the reborn Emperor, falls indeed to the Dark Side and is redeemed). Same for the New Jedi Order, Legacy and Fate of the Jedi.
Now given the fact that Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Han Solo (erm… I mean Harrison Ford) are also getting older, I’d find very normal to have the sequel trilogy set in 45 ABY (after “Crucible”), which is more or less the same real-life years after the original Trilogy was filmed (around 40 years).
In addition to that, Mark Hamill has stated that while shooting the original Trilogy, Lucas had asked him what he though of making a sequel trilogy, where Luke would be old, and would give the mantle to the next gen of Jedi, in the same way in happened with Obi-Wan and Luke.
So I guess that’s what I should expect more or less. And I’m very happy with it! =)
Whatever the powers that be think of next, they better get crackin, 2015 isn’t too far off in the distance…Disney better not screw this up for the die hard fans! Long live the Force, long live Star Wars!!!!
Well, this all was inspire, in the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. What Darth Sedious did to become Emperor, is not diferent than, what many megalomaniac had done all along human history. But, I really would like to see, what this new team of writers, will say. There are two diferent position in the falling Empire, this would be like solving, Global goverment now. Notice this after WW1 imposing peace by force, on lead WW2, after that, notice the differnce between, Western and Eastern Europe one is looking for integation and the other is disintegrating, so I would like very much, how to solve this
What about the music? Is it going to be John Williams’? Because one simply cannot bring a Star Wars movie to completion without a John Williams sountrack.
Just read the synopsis for The Thrawn Trilogy on Wookieepidia and I have to say I’ve changed my opinion. For the sake of good story telling over nostalgic opportunity it really could be worth recasting look-a-like actors (with talent) and commencing the storyline only a short amount of time (5 years) after “Jedi”.
I’m not sure if there is enough there to carry 3 films but an edited script could cover 2 films, 1 may be an injustice.
This sets up the next generation and exposes them to the Darkside from an early age which could have further ramifications later on and also has the potential where Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford could still reprise their roles in later films.
the only way i can accept a new movie is that mark hamill and harrison ford and carrie fishers continues as their respectives roles…. maybe not as protagonist but as a second role…. their sons can be the main characters…. THATS ALL… and with john williams.
i cant really imagine an original story without vader being good enough to reach the cinemas… only revan’s story or heir to the empire is as good as the original saga to me…. ah and the Yuuzhan vong thing
to see chewbacca dying should be a heartbreaking and unforgettable experience 
We don’t need to see Expanded Universe novels turned into films. We’ve all read them and know how they end up – where is the fun and adventure in that?
We need brand new stories, new adventures, new characters mixed in with some old. Each new film will be a surprise and have it’s twists & turns – just make sure it’s as good as the rest of the saga!
ВОТ ОТ ДУШИ, БРАТКИ1111111111
Any part of Star Wars but the games, because the games are like movies already, it’s just that you play it to the end and they’re like interactive movies.
How would be a Disney Star Wars? No blood, no violence, no abuse?
How can Disney portray an Empire?
Honestly, Ewoks and a psycho Anakin Skywalker that in the timespan of 2 hours is fully turned to the dark side and a princess Leia that remembers the sad mother that died giving birth are really stupid things to put on a film, apart from a 10 years old Anakin that turns out to be an amazing pilot and the incoherence of Luke seeing “ghosts” while in the new Trilogy there is no such thing.
I would reboot all Star Wars films to make it coherent and show clearly a brilliant jedi knight becoming a real tyrant. Darth Vader is a tragedy, not a Disney entertainment.
they should mak a film explaining the birth of the sith, its fight with the old republic and then darth siddius’s plan to destroy the jedi
also they should add the night sisters, Asajj Ventress, and Savage Opress
Might I suggest the Expanded Universe. Move on from the originals, continue the story on to when Luke, Leia, and Han have their own children and make the story about the next generation of Solos and Skywalkers. Make the next movies on there
life in the New Republic, show the deffinitive changes between the Republic and the New Republic. Show the life of the Jedi how it really works in the Jedi Temple. Don’t go over the top with the changes though, but make the new movies as adventerious as the rest, if you have to, refer back to the originals. I speak for all fans of Star Wars DO NOT DESTROY THE MAGIC GEORGE LUCAS CREATED! Keep us informed, and take in to consideration our ideas and suggestions and keep the magic alive for generations to come.
I want the next three movies to be like all the other ones that were made. I don’t want Disney to ruin the whole Star Wars saga for everyone. All the other movies were perfect, I just feel like the ones coming out aren’t going to be that good, anyone want to give me any feedback on this comment and tell me a little bit about the movies that are bound to be coming out? Thanks
dear MR. Lucas… many of us have spent lots and lots of money keeping up with the expanded universe of the novels & comics… while I don’t want to see any of those turned into movies I do hope like you did with Episodes 1-3 where you respected the extended universe of Tales of the Jedi & Tales of the Sith ect, please give us original stories while keeping the expanded univese of novels & comics cannon & fit the new trilogy(S) into and around that…please!
7 – New Republic growing too fast. Mandalorian threat grows. Sith rising again, but not in pairs this time. Luke dies saving Coruscant attack, Leia, Han and their children. Luke’s female Padawan seeks revenge.
8 – Mandalorian’s take control of inner systems. New Republic fractured. Skywalker Jedi Padawan go in different directions. Sith rising destroy New Republic fleet.
9 – New Republic form alliances. Chewie sacrifice brings Skywalker Jedi Padawan together as the lead a battle against Mandalorian’s. Jedi-Sith final battle, deaths on both sides, and a Sith traitor remains unknown…
Please ignore the EU. The emperor coming back to life with a new super galaxy weapon, a blue grand admiral and a ginger anti-jedi wife are really bad tasteless storylines.
And use the original cast no matter what.
I like too see talk about Darth Zannah i like to track that story.
Thank you to reed this.
All i know is if they use the Luke,Leia and Han Solo characters they need to bring back Hammil, Fisher, and Ford, and go with a storyline the uses them in their older years. Placing anyone else in thoose rolls would be unacceptable.
I hope the new star wars are good.Disney better do good
What The Star Wars Sequel trilogy must have -
*Must have the soundtrack scored by John Williams, it will not feel like Star Wars without him.
* The there needs to be sith and jedi
*at least one space battle
*Needs to make a connection with the prior trilogies via a mention of one of the original protagonists.
The movies aren’t based off of any EU material. They are going to be completely original stories.
However, I keep getting different versions. Some say that Lucas has already made the stories, while others say that he’s only consulting the story and hasn’t actually done anything.
Also, I read online that it’s gonna be set a few decades after ROTJ…