Disney could keep making ‘Star Wars’ movies for the next "decade and a half".
The mass media company bought the rights to production company Lucasfilm – who created the popular sci-fi movie franchise – in 2012, and have since been working on a new trilogy of instalments, ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, which was released in 2015, ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ which will hit screens in December this year, and an as-yet-untitled ‘Episode IX’ which has not yet been given a release date.
Alongside the new trilogy, Disney have also been working on spin-off movies, including 2016’s ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’, and an untitled movie centring on the life of a young Han Solo – who is played by Harrison Ford in the main series – which is slated for release in 2018.
Now, Disney boss Bob Iger has said the company don’t plan on slowing down their work on the franchise, as he’s held talks about continuing the movies well into the 2030s.
He told Hollywood Reporter magazine: "We’re starting to talk about what could happen after Episode IX. About what could be another decade-and-a-half of Star Wars stories."
If the studio continues at their current rate of one movie a year, this could mean that fans will be treated to a whopping 12 more ‘Star Wars’ stories before the doors are closed on the franchise for good.
Meanwhile, Bob, 66, recently revealed that Carrie Fisher – who played Princess Leia – would not be having her role modified in the upcoming instalment after the actress sadly passed away in December 2016 following a cardiac arrest.
He said: "When we bought Lucasfilm, we were going to make three films – Episodes VII, VIII and IX. We had to deal with tragedy at the end of 2016.
"She’s in [Episode] VIII, and we’re not changing VIII to deal with her passing. Her performance, which we’ve been really pleased with, remains as it was."
There were initially thoughts that Fisher’s likeness could be digitally created for future movies after Peter Cushing, who died in 1994, appeared in ‘Rogue One’. However, Lucasfilm denied they were seeking the rights to use Fisher’s digital image.
A statement posted on StarWars.com read: "We want to assure our fans that Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher’s performance as Princess or General Leia Organa.
"Carrie Fisher was, is, and always will be a part of the Lucasfilm family. She was our princess, our general, and more importantly, our friend. We are still hurting from her loss. We cherish her memory and legacy as Princess Leia, and will always strive to honour everything she gave to Star Wars."
Disney to make Star Wars movies for over a decade
