Considering that Episode III isn't coming out for another year, I'm surprised more wild speculation about the future of the Star Wars franchise hasn't been taking place. Leave it to TheForce.net to stoke my craving for innuendo:
Rob tells us that the December 2003 issue of the British movie mag HOTDOG has just hit the stands here in the U.S. and found several cool Star Wars related things. In particular, on page 12, here's this possibly amazing passage:
"No wonder Peter "Chewbacca" Mayhew is smiling. Not only has he been rescued from obscurity and given the chance to reprise his role as our Wookiee comrade for Episode III, but his contract also stipulates that he'd be required to appear in Episodes 7, 8, and 9.
Yes folks, seems there are actual whispers at Lucasfilm that the 'sequel' trilogy might be in the works..."
I'm curious to see the rest of the wording on that contract. It'd be just like Lucas to include a clause stating Mayhew has to appear in the next trilogy even if Lucas has no intention of making it. Hell, it probably requires him to appear in Episodes 10 through 217, or whatever arbitrary number you feel like using.
We've been over this territory before, and I remain unconvinced. Besides, Lucas already has a series of films coming out that differ completely from any of the others, it's called the Original Trilogy DVD Edition. Thanks to technological advances, Lucas assures us they won't look anything like they did in 1977.
Right on.
Oh sure, leave it to the gardening lady to dump water on everyone's fun.
I don't forsee there being a 7, 8, and 9 since George Lucas himself said a year or so ago that he would never do the last three. I'm thinkin' he's about ready to retire.
He said he wouldn't do another Indiana Jones movie too. No way, no how.
George is a lying liar who needs to stop making movies. He's come completely disconnected from whatever filmmaking magic allowed him to connect with the public in the first place. Films 7, 8 and 9 could not possibly fail to be the worst scifi schlock that everybody will nevertheless see. Weaklings.
I say he bottomed out early with Episode 6, and hasn't strayed from the pit since. And yet my fondness for the mythology keeps dragging me back to the theater.
I suppose the Lucasfilm machine is not entirely without merit ... witness Knights of the Old Republic. The answer, clearly, is more video games.
I'm sure the reason there hasn't been more wild speculation is that Episodes I and II were so lousy no one but the most die-hard fans cares anymore.