Photo via Star Wars
First J.K. Rowling announced the launch of a Harry Potter spin-off film series; now the Star Wars franchise is confirming a similar trajectory. During a conference yesterday, Disney CFO Jay Rasulo hinted that beyond the already planned trilogy, further Star Wars film projects will be released as stand-alone "origin story films." No other formal details have been revealed to date, but this only confirms rumors that have been building all year.
There's also murmurs that members of the original cast — Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford — will return to their classic roles. George Lucas confirmed so even before Disney bought the franchise for $4 million last autumn.
CEO Bob Iger told CNBC in February that plans for three stand-alone "Star Wars" were in place, sending fans into a speculative uproar. Some muse the films could hone in on individualized storylines involving the bounty hunter Boba Fett or Han Solo — or, better yet, Jedi-master Yoda.
[Business Insider]