Until the next round of press for Episode III, that is:
Talking with MTV, George Lucas confirmed that the upcoming "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" will definitely be the last live-action film in the saga.
"This was never planned as a nine-episode work. The original 'Star Wars' was only three films, and that was what it was meant to be. After a lot of pondering and thought, I went back to do the back story, but that pretty much tells the story. Episode Six is the end. There isn't any more to it."
I can't be the only one who remembers reading, in an issue of Time from 1980 or thereabouts, that Lucas envisioned a nine film arc for Star Wars. Granted, he was probably blowing smoke since he had never really decided to do Episodes V and VI, initially. Or to rename "Star Wars" as "Episode IV," for that matter. No one, not Lucas, Gary Kurtz, or 20th Century Fox, thought Star Wars had franchise potential. In fact, Lucas and the studio execs were so sure it would flop. Fox considered recycling the F/X shots for a future TV series.
Given Lucas' history of reversing position on this, I'd take him at his word for another ten years or so until the latest batch of CGI wizardry gets him aroused.
He also hinted that Episode III may be a PG-13 affair - "All the good guys die, and you know, it's pretty dark. It's pretty intense. I'm not sure this one is going to end up a PG like the others were".
Wow, so it'll be as dark and intense as Spider-Man? Better bring my smelling salts.
UPDATE: Luke's got my back:
Mark Hamill, the original Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars movies, has said that George Lucas once told him that he planned to produce episodes seven, eight, and nine of the series beginning around 2011 and asked him to return for cameo appearances then. Hamill said he agreed to do so. (In a separate interview, Lucas described his comment as "an off-hand comment" and added, "I never had any intention of doing that. ... Episode six is the end. There isn't any more to it.")
"Original Luke Skywalker?" Did I miss something?
In a world where The Who can go on six "farewell" tours and still make money, George Lucas will revisit the idea of more movies again.
I just thought of something else. In his MTV interview, Lucas said Episode III would be the last "live-action" Star Wars film. Surely it isn't out of the realm of possibility that he'd simply go all-CGI next time. Actors are so annoying, after all.
Pete, yeah, I remember that being reported too. And I seem to recall him saying it AFTER Empire & Return.
Add my "me too" to chip's, Grotesqueticle's and your recollection.
"Spawn of Jar-Jar"? That would be a crime against humanity, and I suggest prosecution at the International Criminal Court if it were to happen.
On one of the old VHS tapes I have--I forget which--there's an interview with Leonard Maltin where he specifically says that it's supposed to be a nine-film series. They should've dug that out and played it at him when he started bullshitting.
Tim Daw posts some pictures of an ensuing fox hunt (?) just outside the back door of his "Castle". I ......
| --Posted to Tributaries on Jan 11, 2005 1:37 PM:. |
No, I remember the buzz being 'nine films' back in the day as well.
Trouble now is, with all the novels that are out, which 'seven through nine' would he do? Jedi twins? Jedi Academy? Admiral Thrawn?
Spawn of Jar-Jar?