More information on the standalone Star Wars films have come
out. Just yesterday, Disney CEO Robert Iger confirmed that indeed beyond the
Star Wars: Episode VII, VIII and IX (which he mentioned would be out in a six
year period starting in 2015), they’re working on other films –ones being
written by Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg. What ones either of them are
working on is unknown, but beyond the Seven Samurai one mentioned weeks ago and
a Yoda one mentioned just this week, it seems both Han Solo and Boba Fett are
also being considered. According to Entertainment Weekly, “a young Han Solo
saga, focusing on the wisecracking smuggler’s origin story, and a bounty hunter
adventure with Boba Fett at the center of a rogue’s gallery of galactic scum”
are in the works. A young Han Solo story would take place between Revenge of
the Sith and A New Hope, while the Boba Fett one would be set between either A
New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back or between Empire and Return of the Jedi.
Of course, the interesting aspect of this is a young Han Solo story (beyond
casting a much younger actor) would mean a chance to revisit one the more
popular characters –along with a potential revisit of famous bad guys Darth
Vader and Jabba the Hutt. 
Still, like all rumors concerning these standalones, none or
all could be made or scrapped. And then there is the consideration of is this
where the franchise needs to go? Sure, like all studios these days resistant to
take on original content, it makes financial sense for Disney mine secondary
characters –no matter what; Star Wars fans will watch it. But if I’m not
mistaken, if Disney wants the new trilogy to be only two years apart from each
other, are they also planning to release two or three other Star Wars movies
between them?
And while some may consider them diluting the product, to be
honest with you, George Lucas has already done that with the special editions
of Star Wars, with horrible prequels and then the 3D release of all six (which
has been shelved now) along with toys, comics, books and what not.
But Disney invested $4 billon, and if there is one thing
Disney is good at, it knows how to recoup their money. Even if the movies (and
maybe a potential TV series) fail, merchandising always wins. And like a pirate
from the olden times, Disney knows there is money to made, and by hook or by
crook, they can get fans both old, and especially the young, to buy almost anything.
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