It’s A Trilogy: Disney Confirms Eighth And Ninth Star Wars Films Also Planned

Date: Oct 30, 2012 | Author: David Wharton | Category: Sci-Fi

At this rate my fingertips will be bleeding all over the typewriter before too much longer. We had barely finished posting the breaking story about Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm, including the Star Wars franchise, before more news arrived by way of a conference call between Disney investors and Disney chair Bob Iger. Not only is Disney planning Star Wars VII for 2015 — they’re planning Episodes VIII and IX as well.

Our sister site, Cinema Blend, got the skinny on the conference call announcement, where Iger said that they will be releasing the next three Star Wars movies in two-year increments, meaning we’ll be getting new Star Wars throughout the back half of this decade, and a few years on into the next. And that’s assuming that they stop at Episode IX, which there is no real reason to think.

It’s still not clear what George Lucas’ role as “creative consultant” will entail, but it seems unlikely that he’d be directing the new films, or even be involved in the day-to-day running of the franchise. At this point, I think the guy has earned a retirement. While some GFR readers are already crying foul and weeping in our comments section over on Facebook, I’m regarding this as a tentatively positive development for two simple reasons: 1) I think the prequels, as well as Lucas’ refusal to release the original, unaltered Star Wars films on Blu-ray and DVD, showed that Lucas had lost touch with what elements of Star Wars made the fans fall in love with the movies in the first place. And 2), I really, really want to see a Star Wars movie made by a top-tier director like Christopher Nolan. Think of the way Nolan reinvigorated the floundering Batman franchise, and just imagine if he or some other talented person brought a new energy and excitement to a universe that left many fans stung and bitter in the wake of the prequels.

Even better news: since they’re referring to them specifically as Episodes VII, VIII, and IX, that suggests they aren’t planning the one thing that would genuinely be cause for concern: an outright reboot.

At this point, the new films could be almost anything. It could be an adaptation of Timothy Zahn’s “Thrawn” novels. It could be an entirely new adventure starring the old cast, or brand new story with only a few direct connections to what came before. There’s no telling, but I am genuinely excited to find out.

Comments

http://www.facebook.com/brilang Brian Lang

I haven’t paid much attention to the Star Wars novels. If I were to pick some up, what are your top recommendations?
- http://www.facebook.com/ian.mchenry.79 Ian McHenry
  
  All that I’ve read were not worth the trouble simply because of bad writing. I’ve Tabbled in the Young jedi series and The new republic series
  - JT
    
    Read the Tim Zahn books in chronological order.
    - http://www.facebook.com/james.gorman.9699 James Gorman
      
      the x-wing series was very good but to be honest i would prefer them in a hbo style tv series like game of thrones over a movie for a trilogy i think the thrawn series would be best for next step
      - Jesus: version buddha 3.9
        
        Second the above mentioned comments – Zahn’s trilogy and duology, along with Stackpole’s and Allston’s X-Wing series were definitely among the best novels. Kevin J Anderson’s Jedi Academy trilogy is also a good one, and perhaps even a good starter since so many of the characters that become staples in the novels are either introduced or continued in it.
zirtoc

I’ve been clamoring for Lucas to release his force grip on the movie franchise for a long time. But…DISNEY? I guess we’ll see.
Lolly

After my first, knee-jerk response of “oh hell no” I too am coming round to the idea. Just imagine if Joss Whedon gets his mitts on it. (Please!) Anyone but Lindelhof!
Trish

The unaltered original trilogy HAS been released on DVD. They were packaged in with each Special Edition version just a year or two ago. I own them and they re NOT any different than my old VHS box set of the original incarnation.
bhak1

Episode VII: The Redemption of Selacious B Crumb

Premise: Selacious Crumb miraculously managed to escape the inferno of death and sarlac that ended most of his companions in Episode VI. Now all alone and with a new lease on life Selacious is setting out to give back and become one with the Force. His midichlorians tell him that he must find the droid C3PO and make amends for attempting to rip out his eyes. Join him in this heart warming journey of atonement that will delight fans old and new as Selacious learns that even monkey-lizards can be one with the Force.
http://www.facebook.com/redgar98 Robert Allan Lee Edgar

leave them as they are
http://www.facebook.com/people/Benjamin-N-Thurber/1520564107 Benjamin N Thurber

As long as it retains its Lucas’esqe feel to it and the writing is good, it could be the next trilogy that this new generation remembers. Or it could be another Disney debacle that looks to be Disney’s forte. Who knows? Might be entirely animated with a little talking critter that befriends Princess Leia.

Giant Freakin Robot