Rumour: Luke Skywalker to be primary focus of new Star Wars trilogy. Plus possible plot details for Episodes 7-9

See that “Rumour” tag in front of the headline? That’s merely a formality as none of this info info has been verified, however the source that it’s coming from, is the same one that that informed MarketSaw way back in 2009 that Lucasfilm would be releasing Episodes 7 to 9 in 3D, but that George Lucas would be handing the reins over to somebody else. Back then we were all “Yeah, right”s and “Whatever”s, but look where we are now. So when this source starts spilling more info, you don’t need the Force to predict that we should probably pay attention.

And boy does he/she have a few bombs to drop.

The source contacted MarketSaw again via email, and this time had way more substantial info. For starters, it seems like that meeting between George Lucas, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fischer back in August of last year, may have had a bit more to it than Hamill is letting on.

“Disney now has the power to make STAR WARS films, and everything else in the Lucasfilm archives. The movies I told you about are indeed the primary focus. Luke Skywalker is a primary focus, as are many of the original trilogy cast. Disney also realised that George Lucas and STAR WARS are one and the same, so George will certainly have a voice on any angle taken, in fact I believe it’s one of many stipulations. However he will no longer have creative control, and as I said before George was already looking at other creative talents to bring his canon to life back before Disney and Lucasfilm really started negotiating (or at least to the best of my knowledge)…”

“Way back when I told you about the new movie trilogy planned, I never explained to you that they were being rewritten from previously secret drafts from way back during the making of the original trilogy. The main problem was the age of the cast, and the tone of the story. Now I do believe that Walt Disney intend on playing to the cultural significance of that original trilogy. You will see a tone more in line with the original trilogy, and specifically featuring that cast, if everything shakes out as intended. Which it will, I promise you.”

Having the old cast not only return but actually be the focus of this new trilogy would go a long way to getting old fans, who may been disappointed/angered with Episodes 1 to 3, back on board. And while I always expected (or is that hoped, based on how Lucas was changing things?) that anything that came after Return of the Jedi would match up tonally with the original trilogy, seeing as how it would no longer be set in the overly glossy Old Republic, it is good to see it “confirmed” here.

Of course a lot of the original trilogy’s look and feel came from the use of physical sets and props, as opposed to the green screen-athons of Eps 1 to 3. Which design direction would this new trilogy take? Well, seeing as how Disney has been using a very good balance of physical effects and CGI for all the Marvel movies, I’m hoping they would do the same for this, but ultimately, it’s probably going to come down as to who eventually ends up in the director’s chair, and MarketSaw’s source has something to say about that as well.

“From my understanding the movies that follow will be far more in line with the original trilogy in regards to tone and method, and from the few names I have heard being banded around I am very excited, as they are all choices that I think people will get behind.

– Steven Spielberg, who may actually get to direct his episode of STAR WARS after all.

– Neil Blomkamp, District 9, Elysium.

– Alfonso Cuarón, Children of Men, Gravity (which is a masterpiece by the way) When I was told this name, I said that’s the guy.

– Matthew Vaughn. Kick Ass, First Class.

– Darren Aranofsky, The Fountain, Noah. (very popular candidate) and has been for a while.

– Joss Whedon. Serenity, The Avengers. That could work as Joss is currently overseeing Marvels next onslaught under the Disney Banner, but don’t hold your breath for a directing gig for many years down the line. He may well have his part to play though ;-)”

I know that I previously gave Brad Bird my vote, but a Star Wars trilogy directed by Alfonso Cuaron? I think I’d probably have to wear adult diapers for a week after that announcement was made. I just don’t see Spielberg, Whedon or Aranofsky tackling this though as they’re all pretty tied up scheduling wise for quite some time, and if Disney wants to make their 2015 date, they can’t afford to wait around too long.

As to exactly what the story would be, the source had some info on that too, including what might possibly be the title of Episode 7.

“A NEW DAWN.

I don’t believe the empire was completely destroyed by the end of Return of the Jedi.

Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, C3PO and R2D2 are I am assured to feature prominently in the new trilogy, as was always the idea. Apparently some have already been approached. Quite a while back too to my understanding. Hamill is a certainty.

There are two trilogies planned, all following an original overview by Lucas, which was always planned as a multi generational saga. Movies 10 – 12 are from my understanding about the offspring of the Skywalkers, set many years later with the surviving cast playing much older versions of themselves and featuring a female protagonist named Skywalker. This is something that I understand is being discussed as the latest trilogy may end up being an amalgamation of the two using themes and ideas from both, but still keeping the general story, also allowing for continuity of cast.”

Now the possibility of a fourth trilogy, Episodes 10 to 12, is something that most hardcore fans have known about for a long time, as Lucas’ original idea for this saga was for it to have twelve parts.

As for the fact that the later films could have a new Skywalker as the focus, well if these movies still hold the EU as canon then that actually gives us a massive clue as to the chronology of these films. Ben Skywalker, the son of Luke and his eventual wife Mara Jade, is the last known character to make use of the Skywalker name until Cade Skywalker in the Star Wars: Legacy series set 125 years after the events of Return of the Jedi, and before him there were no other prominent Skywalker females, except Han and Leia’s daughter Jaina, but she used Solo as her last name. That leaves about a 100 year gap where this story could place in; somewhere between The New Jedi Order era and the Legacy era. And if the original cast are indeed reprising their roles and their character’s ages would thus reflect close to their current real life age (61 for Hammil, 57 for Fischer and 70 for Ford) that would place them right in the middle of that gap, which actually is one of the few eras on the EU timeline that hasn’t been extensively covered in other media, thus the perfect era for telling an original story as it’s rumoured this would be.

That being said though, seeing what they did with Jeff Bridges in Tron Legacy means that theoretically they could have the original cast back and still set it in a much earlier period. Just don’t expect Carrie Fischer to be getting into any gold bikinis any time soon.

The source also provided some feedback on what Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm meant for the status of the long in development Star Wars live action TV series, Star Wars Underworld, as well as what Disney intend to do about one of fans’ biggest requests for years now already.

“You can expect to hear more news on the live action TV show in the near future, as the scripts already written will be absorbed in some way into a TV format. The nature of the show and the technical requirements needed to meet a TV budget and schedule are pretty ambitious. Basically they are 45 minute long feature films. With concepts that are very ambitious and the fact that it focuses on characters that are not known and are completely different to what people may have in mind about a STARWARS TV show. This was the problem at the time, and I am pretty sure this is still a problem. At least on the live action front. I am told that soon there will be some kind of material released relating to shot footage and tests on that concept. So look out for that.”

“The movies from what I understand will adopt the Harry Potter model, and will be aggressively brought to the forefront of popular entertainment once again with consistent installments. This is just for starters though, especially for those who hold the original trilogy in high regard, they should be happy. You can expect lovingly restored prints of the original trilogy to surface in the near future. That’s a no brainer. I along with the rest of the world want those movies in their original glory. Disney are all over that, believe me.”

Original theatrical version Blu Ray boxset? Just shut up and take my money! Whether or not any of this pans out to be true, and based on the source’s history and apparent connections in the industry I’m sure that some of it is, you can’t deny that this is one hell of an exciting time to be Star Wars fan!

Last Updated: November 5, 2012