Disney Expands Star Wars Universe

Disney’s PR department has barely had time to catch its breath. Immediately after announcing that J. J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII,  the first of a new series of Star Wars films from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, the outfit had to alert the universe that Disney isn’t waiting to cash in on its new franchise.

Bob Iger, Disney chairman and CEO, told investors that while the initial focus was on the anticipated sequel trilogy, the studio has already commissioned two spinoff films — a Young Han Solo adventure, depicting the smuggler’s origin story and taking place in between Episodes 3 and 4, and a Boba-Fett movie.

Few of you are old enough to be amused by the idea of reincarnating Kevin Corcoran (of the “Little Moochie” serials on Mickey Mouse Club) to play Young Han Solo, but that’s the kind of goshwow-gee-whiz sort of character the title brings to my mind. Which is probably wrong, because the full-grown Han Solo is a good-hearted outlaw. More likely they’ll turn Young Han Solo into Fonzie with a furry friend.

One of the spinoffs will be scripted by Lawrence Kasdan (The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and co-writer of Return of the Jedi). The other will be written by Simon Kinberg (Sherlock Holmes, Mr. and Mrs. Smith). Who is assigned to each film has yet to be announced.

[Thanks to David Klaus for the story.]

11 thoughts on “Disney Expands Star Wars Universe

  1. One of the spinoffs will be scripted by Lawrence Kasdan … The other will be written by Simon Kinberg

    So one will be good and the other will be crap.

  2. HANS SOLO AND THE HANGOVER has yet to be scripted. There still might be material to dream up about his roaming years, meeting Chewie and post teen adventures.. But I’m not anticipating anything. After all, THE PHANTOM MENACE was made with the best of intentions. And so were those other two. And the HOLIDAY SPECIAL.

  3. Kids at a dude ranch. I had a novelization, “Trouble at Triple-R”, which I see is available on line, with prices at one site ranging from $5 used to $89 “collectible”

  4. One of these days — not in the too distant future, I trust — we will be able to flock to the theaters to watch the Disney-Warner-Sony release of “My Little Ponies meet 007’s Jedi Zombies of Mongo … and learn the Twist,” staring Alan Sandler and Tom Cruise. I may have to move to Iran to get away from it.

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