Like Jabba the Hutt removing his belt at the end of a long day, the "Star Wars" universe continues to rapidly expand beyond the limits of our imaginations. Lucasfilm has already confirmed "Toy Story 3" writer Michael Arndt will pen the screenplay for "Episode VII," and bought script treatments from "Empire Strikes Back" scribe Lawrence Kasdan, and Simon Kinberg. Now, it looks like we could see even more "Star Wars"; Kasdan and Kinberg may write spin-offs, which could precede episodes VIII and IX, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
"Insiders tell THR that while Kasdan and Kinberg indeed have been hired to work on the Star Wars franchise, they will be writing separate projects (hence the reason why they also would receive producer credits), not necessarily Episode VIII and Episode IX," said The Hollywood Reporter.
This of course throws into question the entire idea of Kasdan and Kinberg writing episodes VIII and IX. Their screenplays could end up serving as either official 'Episodes' or spinoffs that revolve around side characters outside of the Skywalker clan and their close acquaintances (Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, etc.)
According to Disney CEO Robert Iger, the company intends to release a new "Star Wars" movie "every two to three years," beginning with "Episode VII" in 2015. Although, as SlashFilm notes, Kathleen Kennedy, who will soon be the President of Lucasfilm, also announced that the company wants to put out a few films on a yearly basis.
"When you put the pieces together, it does seem feasible that there could be 'Star Wars' spinoffs released during the interim between 'Episodes'" said SlashFilm.
If we do indeed see spin-offs, it would support recent comments made by George Lucas's biographer Dale Pollock.
While conducting research for his unauthorized biography of Lucas, "Skywalking: The Life And Films Of George Lucas," Pollock was allowed to read the outlines to 12 "Star Wars" stories written by the filmmaker, but, of course, was required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
"It was originally a 12-part saga," Pollock revealed to TheWrap. "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 three movies.'"
Lucasfilm and Disney have not commented on exactly what films Kasdan and Kinberg will write. One popular theory making the rounds right now predicts some of the new "Star Wars" films will be based on the Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn.
Sci-Fi author Zahn popularized the so-called "Expanded Universe" of "Star Wars" with The Thrawn Trilogy back in 1991, a series of novels about Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia set five years after the end of "Return of the Jedi." The books became surprising bestsellers, and ushered in a new generation of fans for the epic saga.
According to Zahn, he was "briefed" on Lucas' plans for sequels years ago and how the Thrawn books would fit in. "The original idea as I understood it- and Lucas changes his mind off and on, so it may not be what he's thinking right now - but it was going to be three generations," said Zahn to Entertainment Weekly.
"You'd have the original trilogy, then go back to Luke's father and find out what happened to him [in the prequels], and if there was another 7th, 8th, or 9th film, it would be Luke's children. The Thrawn Trilogy really would have fit into the gap," the author said.
Zahn's trilogy, which began with "Heir to the Empire," gets its name from the new villain at its core: a blue-skinned, red-eyed Imperial general, Thrawn, who reconstructs The Empire from the remains of Vader and the Emperor's evil army after the two are killed in "Return of the Jedi."
"It could be an entirely new storyline, but if he picks and chooses bits and pieces from the expanded universe, we'd all be thrilled to death," said Zahn.
Zahn says it's totally possible they could be using his books as source material without his knowledge. The films are a franchise which he doesn't own, thus, LucasFilm owns his books; they don't have to tell him if they want to use parts of, or even his entire story.
"It certainly could be happening," Zahn said. "They have no obligation to touch base. As with any other franchise, once we write something, it's owned by Lucasfilm, as it should be. It's their property."