And now it seems Disney are going to take the franchise and stretch it to breaking point, as new LucasFilm president Kathleen Kennedy plans spin-off films based on several characters.
Ain't It Cool editor Harry Knowles reported: "To start with, they're going to focus on established characters and do solo films. The first standalone film is going to centre upon Yoda. At this stage, specifics are sparse, but Kathleen Kennedy is putting together a Star Wars slate.
"I've also heard tale of a Jabba story that Lucas has floated to some of his buddies. But word is Yoda is first."
And Disney CEO Bob Iger has confirmed the news, telling CNBC: "We are in fact working on a few stand-alone films. Larry Kasdan and Simon Kinberg are both working on films derived from great Star Wars characters that are not part of the overall saga.
"So we plan to make Star Wars 7, 8 and 9 over roughly a six-year period of time starting in 2015. But there are going to be a few other films released in that period of time too."
Of course, we could be wrong. Disney's plans could lead to years and years of spacey greatness and revisiting of youth and all that. Or, it could be a landspeeder crash of epic proportion.
And then there's the man responsible for bringing Star Wars back to its former greatness. We're still not over the Lost debacle (we know how to hold a grudge, don't cross us… ever) but JJ Abrams just might be able to pull it off (providing he resists the urge to "lens flare the fuck out of it", as our mate Tom put it). Star Trek, after all, was a thoroughly enjoyable movie.
He's even got the backing of Hollywood heavyweights. Captain America director Joe Johnston has even said that Abrams "may be overqualified" for Star Wars.
"JJ Abrams is the perfect choice to get the third trilogy off the ground," he told The Huffington Post.
"These films are big logistical nightmares to direct, like any $150 million plus project. They're like military operations in the attention to detail required while trying to retain a grasp of the big picture.
"JJ has more than proven he can handle the pressure, plus it doesn't hurt to have a guy at the wheel who has produced, written, and created shows of his own. If anything he may be overqualified."
Praise indeed. Well, fingers crossed and all that eh?
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