6. Expanded Universe Expanding On Episode VII To IX
Lucas has never been shy when it comes to talking about more Star Wars. Even those not directly linked to the film series seem to have had direct insight into Lucass future plans for Star Wars over the years. Lucas biographer Dale Pollock actually got to read the original twelve stories written by Lucas. He let us know that the new episodes would involve Luke Skywalker in his 30s or 40s (which will obviously not be the case any more) but he also stated that;
"The three most exciting stories were VII, VIII and IX. They had propulsive action, really interesting new worlds, new characters. I remember thinking, I want to see these 3 movies." This is exciting stuff already and even though it doesn't give us much in the way of detail, and doesn't include anything that isn't already in the existing Star Wars films, the enthusiasm is there and theres a sense that Lucass writing on Episodes VII to IX are more than simple scribbles on a bunch of post-it notes. It doesn't stop there though. Star Wars Thrawn Trilogy author Timothy Zahn was briefed by Lucas on his plans for the various Star Wars trilogies during discussions of the Thrawn trilogy writing. Zahn's Thrawn stories have been talked about as a basis of the new trilogy (largely because fans are keen to see Thrawn in a movie), but Zahn stated that the "
Thrawn trilogy would fall into the gap between Episode VI and Episode VII and that the third film trilogy would involve Luke's children, as each of the three trilogies would involve different generations of the Skywalkers". This is a little off track, given that the current rumours are of stories with Han Solo and Leias kids - but who knows? The focus has always been the male Skywalkers, so this continuation does make a whole lot of sense. Lukes had 30 years to fall in love and have kids (and potentially even grandkids). Were all pinned on Solo kids because of the expanded universe stories but remember, expanded universe is NOT canon and Lucas has never been a slave to what writers have created in his galaxy. So given that writers outside of the Star Wars filmaking process know details of future Episodes, surely the actors in the film know a little bit more, right?