Surprise, surprise...Dark Horizons has some news on the maybe-possibly-hypothetical next three movies in a certain space fantasy franchise (Hint: it's not "Galaxina"):
Star Wars: Episodes 7-9: "One of my pals at ILM told me a few days back that another trilogy 'might' happen. This is the sequel trilogy that Lucas said he'd never do. It's very very early days yet, but apparently there is some talk, even to the point of Mr Spielberg - who was interested in doing 'Clones' at one point - stepping in for Lucas, who may want to write, but probably won't want to direct. If Lucas doesn't they'll probably work out a deal for say Frank Darabont to pen (ala the current "Indiana Jones IV" arrangement). This one would be the three films following 'Return of the Jedi,' Han Solo, Skywalker, post-Darth etc. How hard of a time are they going to have on their hands getting some of those original players! ha ha! finally a fitting use for CGI hey? The deal is everyone wants the sequels, except Lucas, who is apparently exhausted [Personally I'd say studio pressure]. If Spielberg directs, it could be ok. Better than those terrible prequel movies". Thanks to 'Wookie Walker'.
I'm heavily inclined to cry "hoax" on this, even though one might think this idea would appeal to Lucas: if all he has to do is scipt the plot outline, what's he go to lose? Total control, that's what. Spielberg made some famously pointed comments about Lucas' meddling in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," and I'm not convinced there isn't still some bad blood there. Besides, if Spielberg winning an Academy Award wasn't humiliating enough, consider how much Lucas would seethe over possible critical praise for a new trilogy directed by someone else. "Star Wars" made Lucas what he is. What are the odds he'll allow someone to leech credit away from the one thing for which he'll be remembered?
Well, that and "Howard the Duck."
The funny thing is; apart from Harrison Ford, I bet most of the OT cast would return. Hamill, Fisher, Mayhew, and Williams could all use the paycheck, and don't tell me Kenny Jones and Anthony Daniels have better things to do.
There's plenty of source material for these films (while we're making far-fetched predictions, let's assume Lucas wouldn't want any part in plotting them). Due to the passage of time, we can skip right past the Thrawn Trilogy or Dark Empire, and even the Black Fleet Crisis would be a stretch (and I haven't read any of the New Jedi Order stuff). The most likely candidates, to me, would be Kevin Anderson's Jedi Academy books, the better to appeal to that sweet, sweet "young adult" market. Think of the wild speculation around the casting of Han and Leia's kids, and Mara Jade.
But that won't happen, because these movies aren't going to happen. It's a nice exercise in navel-gazing, however.
Sadly, no matter how heinous the movie, if it has Star Wars in the title, I will see it.
Lucas owns me. I'm so ashamed.
I'm in that category too :(
However, I will definitely call hoax on this. Darabont will never write a Star Wars film. Lucas will never go back to Star Wars after this series.
Now, will the Lucas children sell out their father's legacy at some point in the future? Bank on it.
"Now, will the Lucas children sell out their father's legacy at some point in the future? Bank on it."
I thought Lucas was doing a fine job himself, thanks.
Does this mean I'm going to have to figure out if I give a flying rat's ass who Mara Jade is? I stopped reading Star Wars novels after Splinter of the Minds Eye and the Brian W. Dailey Han Solo trilogy.
Although the Luke & Leia stuff in Splinter is certainly more interesting following Return of the Jedi.