Following today’s rumour that an iconic STAR WARS character could be about to get his own stand-alone feature, Disney’s chairman and CEO Bob Iger has confirmed plans are in motion for a number of spin-off projects to centre on new and familiar faces in the STAR WARS universe. He has announced it was the reason THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and RETURN OF THE JEDI screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan was brought onboard after their purchase of Lucasfilm, to work alongside Simon Kinberg. These will be developed parallel to the previously announced J.J. Abrams-directed STAR WARS: EPISODE VII, which will be the beginning of a new trilogy.
There has been speculation about some stand-alone films that are in development, I can confirm to you today that, in fact, we are 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. We still plan to make Episodes 7, 8, and 9, roughly over a six-year period of time, starting in 2015. There are going to be a few other films released in that time, too.
Iger also went on to say that Kasdan and Kingberg are serving as consultants on Abrams’ forthcoming blockbuster, which has a screenplay by Oscar-winner Michael Arndt.
Excitement is gathering! Are you feeling the force?
Source: CNBC
