Updated June 1st, 2005

Over the past few weeks I've had the chance to look into an undeniably interesting rumor: the possibility of another Star Wars prequal. No more Star Wars films, you argue? I would have said the same two weeks ago, but the rumor is everywhere, and it's tantalizing to me.

Now, this is not the same sequel trilogy rumor we've all heard a zillion and one times, and was closed down and sent packing months ago by George Lucas himself. A sequal would be messy, since the post-Endor days have already played out in books.

This is how it went:

Some guy was honeymooning in Hawaii when he ran across Lucas. They chatted for a sec and the guy asked Lucas whether, if he did make another Star Wars film, it would be a sequal or a prequal. Lucas said prequal. The director then described his interest in a story about the fall of the Sith Lords and the rise of the Jedi Order some 800 years before the current saga.

Then, a year later at Celebration III, a fan asked the man in flannel whether he would consider making another Star Wars movie -- something from the Knights of the Old Republic days, perhaps. Lucas replied that depending on how well the television series does, it was "something we might someday visit ... but it's too far out to really commit to anything."

And then, of course, the rumors started flying everywhere. Before long the possibility of a prequel hit Slashdot, Moviehole, CanMag, Hecklerspray, IGN and TheForce.net. And ultimately my private empire, but you probably figured that out on your own.

So, is it going to happen? Quite frankly, who the heck knows. Millions of fans want to see another Star Wars film, myself included. Heck, even the staff of beloved Star Wars Insider expressed interest in another episode of the saga (see issue #87, letters).

I'm honestly of the opinion that the Star Wars franchise should go the way of the trekkie and spin off into dozens of movies, television shows and books. I'd personally love that -- the more the merrier, as far as I'm concerned!



But look at what we have going for us, and it's not much. The word of some anonymous somebody and a pseudo-careless comment by George Lucas. Until Lucas announces episodes -2, -1 and 0, it's a rumor. No more, no less.

But unlike so many of them, it actually make sense, and it would work. Moreover, it would make Lucasfilms a disturbing amount of money, which is always something to keep in mind.

And has George Lucas said there won't be another episode? Here's this oft-quoted snippet from a recent 60 Minutes interview:

"What if someone else beside you came to you and said, 'I want to make episode seven.' Could you see this happening," asks Stahl.

"No," says Lucas. "There is no episode seven."

Leaving us all to wonder, "What about an episode zero?"



(developing story)

NOTE: Although I said "some 800 years before the current prequal trilogy," other websites claim the film is to take place 100 or 88 years prior to The Phantom Menace. Which number is correct? In Episode I a member of the Jedi Council says the Sith have been extinct for a millenium, so... This is yet another problem with the rumor.