Star Wars Episode VII: Timothy Zahn reacts

Timothy Zahn, revered author of the Extended Universe fans among others for his Thrawn's Trilogy, reacts to the announcement of a new Star Wars trilogy and he knows that everything should not be mixed up: "... The books were always just the books ...".

He returns to Lucas's original projects which provided that the 3 trilogies initially planned would span 3 generations: Episodes IV, V and VI told the story of Luke, episodes I, II and IIi told that of his father and the last three episodes that of his children: "... and if there was another 7th, 8th, or 9th film, it would be Luke's children. The Thrawn Trilogy really would have fit into the gap ..."

Zahn is aware that Lucas has always kept an eye on his work of which he has taken some elements in Attack of the Clones ou Revenge of the Sith and he considers that if Lucas drew on even a few good ideas in the EU for his new trilogy, the fans would obviously be in heaven: "... if he picks and chooses bits and pieces from the expanded universe, we'd all be thrilled to death ..."

His vision of this new trilogy does not go beyond the very symbolic presence of the original characters of the saga who would pass the torch to a new generation, all wrapped up in a family context which would balance the saga's shortcomings on this level: "... We haven't seen a lot of good family stuff in Star Wars. A lot of it has been dysfunctional, and driven by somebody else. Anakin was a slave and manipulated all his life. Luke and Leia never knew each other…"

In another register, rumors are starting to invade the web and we find the obviously well-informed guy who in 2009 revealed the project of a new trilogy and who distils some information to take into consideration that I summarize here in a few words:

Starting postulate: The Empire was not completely destroyed at the end of Return of the Jedi. The new trilogy will be a direct continuation of Episode VI and all the characters will be present in Episode VII: Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, C3PO and R2D2 will make their return, it is almost a given. Mark Hamill would already be confirmed.

Two new trilogies are planned, episodes X, XI and XII will feature the descendants of the Skywalkers, including a woman.

Disney would take the reissue of the Original Trilogy after restoration.

Regarding potential directors, some names, surprising to some, are already circulating:  Spielberg, Blomkamp (District 9), Cuarón (Children for Men), Vaughn (Kick Ass, X Men First Class), Arnofsky (The Fountain, Noah), whedon (Avengers) ....

You can find all of these rumors on the blog to follow right now: marketsaw.blogspot.co.uk.

Timothy Zahn's reaction is available in full at this address on EW.com.

As a bonus above, a photo I had taken of my Thrawn custom by Christo ...