When the news hit
last week that Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg would be writing upcoming
Star Wars movies, the initial reports had the pair penning either
Episode VIII or
IX separately. A resonable assumption to be sure. But could they actually be writing spin-off films set in the same universe? Here's what The Hollywood Reporter has to say on the matter:
But now 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.
Their scripts could turn into official "Episodes" in the main Skywalker storyline, or they could form the basis for spinoffs focusing on side characters. Disney CEO Robert Iger said the goal is to release a Star Wars movie "every two to three years," and some could focus on other pieces of the expansive mythos (similar to Marvel's Avengers universe). Disney and Lucasfilm declined comment.
Spin-off films are nothing new to the franchise -- you may recall
The Ewok Adventure and
Ewoks: The Battle for Endor -- but those made-for-TV efforts were, despite Wilford Brimley's best efforts, uninspiring at best. These new offshoot films could allow various filmmakers to further explore the universe George Lucas created all those years ago. Already one of these potential directors has spoken up. While doing press for
Captain America, Joe Johnston publicly
declared his interest in doing a Boba Fett-centric Star War. This could conceivably happen now. Squeeeeeee!
Stay tuned for more information, and let the rampant speculation about what these spin-off films could possibly be commence in the comments below!
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