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New 'Star Wars' Trilogy May Not Adapt Any Existing Books or Comics

by Ethan Anderton
October 31, 2012
Source: E! Online

Now that a new Star Wars trilogy has been confirmed with Star Wars: Episode VII slated for release sometime in 2015 and a new film every other year after that, it's time to dig into the details. While yesterday we decided to list our picks for the ten best director's to take on a new Star Wars film, today we're getting news on where this new trilogy might take our story. First, Timothy Zahn, author of the Heir to the Empire trilogy of books, updated his Facebook saying he has not been contacted by Disney or Lucasfilm. But he also points out that they would not need to ask his permission. Still, the prospect sounds like it's out.

Meanwhile, we've heard that Dark Empire, a six-issue limited series of comics written by Tom Veitch might be the focus on a new trilogy. We've yet to get any more news on that front, so we're considering it a rumor until we hear otherwise. That storyline follows the post-trilogy adventures of the main characters from the original Star Wars franchise, and here's a more detailed explanation from Amazon:

"Six years after the fall of the Empire in 'Return of the Jedi,' the battle for the galaxy's freedom rages on. The Empire has been mysteriously reborn under an unknown leader, wielding a new weapon of great power. Princess Leia and Han Solo struggle to hold together the New Republic while the galaxy's savior, Luke Skywalker, fights an inner battle as he is drawn to the dark side, just as his father. "

It also marks the return of Boba Fett (who is not killed by Sarlaac in Return of the Jedi) and also introduces us to the child of Han Solo and Princess Leia, Anakin Solo an addition to their family that already includes twins Jacen and Jaina Solo (though they don't play a part in this story arc). Considering the events take place only six years after Return of the Jedi, the original actors would be too old to take on those roles now. Unless some serious new recasting takes place (or they spend millions on making young versions of the actors like Jeff Bridges in Disney's Tron Legacy), we find this rumor to be unlikely, no matter how enticing it would be to have Luke Skywalker go to the Dark Side for a bit.

Now E! Online has spoken to someone at Lucasfilm and they simply said that this new trilogy would be an "original story." Does that mean we might not see any of our favorite characters show up in this new trilogy? I feel like fans want to see Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia and Chewbacca, even if it's only for a small cameo, but maybe we'll get a whole slew of new characters to follow. That might be the only way to do this and not have so much fan outrage and scrutiny by using canon characters as the sole focus.

Meanwhile, The Wrap caught up with writer Dale Pollock, author of Skywalking: The Life And Films Of George Lucas, and he claims the filmmaker allowed him to read the outlines for his originally planned twelve part story. He says, "It was originally a 12-part saga. The three most exciting stories were 7, 8 and 9. They had propulsive action, really interesting new worlds, new characters. I remember thinking, ‘I want to see these 3 movies.’” Of course, a lot has changed between then. Pollock also notes they feature a Luke Skywalker in his 30s or 40s, so that might not allow Mark Hamill to come back.

However, we're still hoping the New Jedi Order takes the spotlight for the new trilogy. Wikipedia says:

"The series begins twenty-one years after the Rebel Alliance destroyed the second Death Star. The New Republic is facing internal conflict while trying to maintain peace. A new, powerful enemy, known as the Yuuzhan Vong, emerges from the outer galaxy, beginning what will be known as the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. The Jedi, along with the New Republic, struggle to resist this new alien race while it steadily pushes forward, annihilating or occupying different parts of the galaxy."

It's a harrowing series, the characters' are old enough to allow the original cast to reprise their roles, and there's a lot of drama coming from several big characters dying over the story arc. However, it's a little darker than the original trilogy, so it might not be what Disney is looking for right now. But if they're going with an original story, it might not be something we have to even speculate about at this point. here's hoping the real story surfaces soon so we can start getting even more excited about this new epic trilogy.

Do you want an original Star Wars trilogy or do you want books and comics to get adapted?

Filed under Development, Movie News, Star Wars

From around the web:

Cs

It needs to be an original story. I stopped reading the novels because they kept getting worse over the years. However, I am really excited to see a new film.
Yetti

Dear Disney and LucasFilm, Congratulations! You now possess the power of the force and with it comes a great deal of responsibility. So here's what you're going to do: STEP 1 - you're going to set the new films (Episode 7, 8 and 9) 30 years after episode 6 (Jedi) and you're going to have the FULL original cast back playing themselves as older people. DID YOU HEAR ME? You are going to cast Harrison Ford as Han Freaking solo, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Leia, Billy Dee Williams as Lando and even Denis Lawson back as Wedge Antilles. HERE'S THE CATCH: THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE THE MAIN CHARACTERS. They are older now and you can use them as side characters revolving around NEW lead characters. We don't care what new characters take over leading roles but you HAVE to bring back the old cast for this all to be LEGIT and to come FULL circle. PLEASE don't cast new actors in these roles and don't CGI faces to make them look like the actors 30 years ago (Like in Tron Legacy) PLEASE!!! You can even kill them off in the first scene, just don't replace them. STEP 2 - DON'T LISTEN TO ANYTHING GEORGE LUCAS SAYS! You paid him $4 Billion so tell him to shut up take his money and go make Radioland Murders Part 2! Put somebody in charge of directing who knows what we want. WE WANT EMPIRE STRIKES BACK ON CRACK. That means ACTING, ACTING, ACTING, ACTING, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, DRAMA, DEATH!!!!! STEP 3 - Whatever you did to make AVENGERS as good as it was, do the same for STAR WARS! I feel the force is strong with you and your company can pull this off. The prequels were the worst films EVER MADE! They showed us just how evil the dark side of the force can be when it seduced George Lucas and took over his ability to distinguish right from wrong! Please redeem the Star Wars Universe. DO OR DO NOT...THERE IS NO TRY Sincerely, Geeks
- bozo connors
  
  /signed
- mmmmmmmm
  
  ....You know I love you right?
- Maverick Pete
  
  exactly what i was just telling my girlfriend. i don't care if the hot Carrie Fisher was placed by this older heavier manly sounding imposter. if you're gonna bring back the characters from episodes 4-6 you gotta bring back the original actors. no matter what it takes. don't be like Marvel where they have no qualms replacing actors.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=5111584 Nate Carroll
  
  So get Whedon to come up with a script based off the expanded universe and let him roll with it? This I have confidence in!
- avi
  
  you see it in the right way! But i like to see also my favorite character darth maul in it!
- castingcouch
  
  You were doing so well and I totally agreed with you until mentioned the Avengers being "so good". OK, I get that you liked it. I'll still vote you up. Lucas will be Creative Consultant only, so they can ask him questions and get answers they can take as suggestions, or ignore completely. I'm sure he's glad to be clear of it at last.
JustJBC

It would make the most sense to set the new trilogy some 20-30 years after the originals (as Lucas has alluded to in the past). This would allow Disney to essentially reboot Star Wars without overwriting its mythology. Recasting the roles of such iconic characters would be a huge gamble; they'd be much better off featuring them in minor roles, passing the torch to a new cast of characters. Also a sequel trilogy in the immediate aftermath of ROTJ would almost certainly have to deal with the remaining elements of the Empire, who would be more of a terrorist group than an imperialistic threat. While I think it would be quite interesting to see the tables turned and the remnants of the Empire using similar tactics as the Rebels, politically I think it'd be a little too sensitive (in light of current affairs, the actions of the Rebel Alliance are already starting to look a bit questionable). Sociopolitical commentary is best left to Star Trek anyway. My guess is the new trilogy will take place following the Thrawn Thrilogy, which will be accepted as canon.
- JediYug
  
  Hahahahaaa great lines Yetti!! Step 2 is the best part
BinaryChaos

This new trilogy better not have any connections to the novels at all. We all want something fresh and new that won't be under the constraints of anyone else's timeline but George Lucas' own. It'll probably be cool to bring back Luke Skywalker taking on the Yoda role as the oldest member of the Jedi council. I just hope it's not about some Sith uprising again because that story has been told so many times through other medias that it has become stale. I just have to wonder though will John Williams be on board to score these other films?
- Richie G
  
  The Sith coming back was always fun in the games, but ultimately it can only take away from the original trilogy if it happens again. It was supposed to be prophecised that the jedi order be wiped out so that the sith would emerge from the shadows and, in turn, be wiped out themselves; bringing balance to the force. Whats the point if the sith return in the next film?... even if it is decades later
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=5111584 Nate Carroll
  
  Lucas' own timeline was ridiculous. He should have stuck to the expanded universe instead of running around placing characters and storyline wherever he wanted. Then again, I guess it makes since to you that Emma Frost is in First Class and Wolverine as two different people but same timeline.
  - Jericho
    
    the novels, the series, the movies, nothing can get put into the public without Lucas say so with a three paragraph piece on how this can fit in the timeline, so everything is his timeline.....
JTodd

Here's hoping for "Song of the Sith"!
Xerxexx

Star Wars: Shatterpoint.
Ricardo_PT

Do fans really want to see Solo, Luke, Leia or Chewbacca make a comeback? I kinda wished they went for a new direction.
- castingcouch
  
  Chewie is easy to put in there because he can look the same except with gray hair like his father Itchy, lol
  - http://www.pewpewpew.de/ reeft
    
    will he also watch some version of singing porn?
Nick L

I'd like to see them adapt the story from Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight/Mysteries of the Sith/Jedi Outcast featuring Kyle Katarn. That would be a dream come true as i find that post ROTJ story really interesting. I had some good memories playing through those games.
buzzfunk

All wishful fan boy dreaming. It will all be different then what we maybe expect. Personally, I have zero faith that they can pull off something deep and good as Empire. Plus Lucas already has treatments for 7-9 so that is already a bad sign. And Disney? Tron? It was terrible. The Avengers. god. Please dont get offended but its just the top of shallow entertainment. To me at least. Theres always hope but im not holding my breath on these new movies....
- Ant87
  
  Agree wholeheartedly avengers was awful but I only realised weeks after viewing just an cheesefest with a huge budget so much cgi was like a imitation Pixar movie but no where near as good
http://www.facebook.com/mortenfriis Morten Friis

I would LOVE to see a new trilogy loosely based on the events in Legacy of the Force, which takes place about 40 years after A New Hope (which would make it very realistic for the original actors to reprise their roles). Here is the Plot synopsis from wikipedia, if anybody would be interested in reading it: The Corellian system, unhappy with the leadership of the Galactic Alliance, secedes. While the GA attempts to bring Corellia back into the fold, other systems follow Corellia's lead. Meanwhile, Jedi Knight Jacen Solo believes he has the potential to defeat the threat and unify the galaxy. His methods draw the ire of his uncle Luke Skywalker and the Jedi Council, leading to a rift in the Jedi Order. Over the course of the nine books, the GA, the Jedi, Jacen, Corellia, the Imperial Remnant, and several other factions all vie for power, leading to a confrontation that will dramatically reshape the future of the galaxy. A side-plot involves Boba Fett's family issues, leadership of the Mandalorians, and role in the galactic conflict.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=5111584 Nate Carroll
  
  Read it and definitely what I was thinking. Far into the future or new storyline. Solo kids would be great. Chewie is dead, the characters are old, it's perfect.
Call me sam

Dream Cast & Billing
- http://www.pewpewpew.de/ reeft
  
  are you INSANE!?
- VAharleywitch
  
  .... definitely a fan boy's (or girl's) dream. But the cost would be prohibitive with that much talent. I think the only way this'll work is have a semi (or well) known director, a solidly hitting screenplay writer, and other than Hamill, fisher & co passing the torch or being side-characters, let the main characters be new actors who are unknown or barely known. This is a franchise that will change their lives, for good or ill - and they need to be available to put out quality product. The formula of using near-unknowns worked in 77, I'm sure it would work again - AND keep the salary budget in the manageable range.
Call me sam

and yes fresh new story would be great
Jake

Christopher Nolan is kinda free isn't he?
silentjay

good I don't like most of the comics or books, they have some good ideas within them but most of them are not worth making into a movie.
http://www.jimmylove.com/ Jimmy Love

Whatever they do! does not matter. I am already in, so go, have fun, bring us some new Star Wars.
A New Hope

Lucas is only a consultant, so I'm hopeful. I think we have a lot to look forward to here, even if there is recasting and everything. I'd love to see a new batch of Jedi being trained, including the Solo children and their friends (Lowbacca, Tenel Ka, etc.).
http://www.facebook.com/people/Eric-Wilson/100001127302735 Eric Wilson

I say again: do the Secret Apprentice Saga!!!!
dig van vader

good news fuck the books and comics
gandorf

star wars episode 7 opening scene pans to sarlac pit where we see boba fett struggling to free himself then returning to slave 1 and blasting out of mos eisley.
ladysali

I was just assuming they'd be original stories, and I hope the joss the heck out of the books, because I pretty much hated all of them. And by "joss the heck out of them," I of course mean that in every sense of the word. Calling Joss Whedon! Come in, Joss!
Arkiva

Yetti Sucks