GEORGE LUCAS’ ORIGINAL STAR WARS PLAN: 12 FILMS AND A DIFFERENT PATH
Dive into the untold depths of George Lucas’s original blueprint for the Star Wars saga—a sprawling 12-film epic that dared to expand far beyond the beloved trilogy we cherish today. Imagine *A New Hope*, *The Empire Strikes Back*, and *Return of the Jedi* as Episodes VI-VIII, a mid-sequence masterpiece unveiling glimpses of Lucas’s grander vision. As the prequel trilogy etched the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker amidst the chaos of the Clone Wars, Lucas’s universe thrummed with potential stories that intertwined with the Galactic Empire’s rise. In this alternate Star Wars chronology, Lucas envisioned a bridge to connect the prequels to the classic saga, unveiling Luke Skywalker’s journey from the ashes of the old order. Lucas’s sequel plans spotlighted the rebuilding of the Jedi Order by Luke Skywalker, the emergence of Leia’s New Republic, and continued with an imagined series exploring a new generation of Jedi navigating the galaxy’s shifting sands. This buried saga fraught with legacy, destiny, and cosmic evolution once loomed as Lucas’s magnum opus, leaving fans pondering: what if his original vision had unfolded under the twin suns of Tatooine?
#StarWars #GeorgeLucas #OriginalSaga #FilmHistory #SciFiEpic #JediLegacy
Quick Takeaways
- George Lucas initially envisioned a 12-film Star Wars series.
- His early plans placed A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi as Episodes VI-VIII.
- The prequels were meant to focus on the Clone Wars and the rise of the Empire.
- A bridge film was planned to introduce Luke Skywalker.
- His sequels would follow Luke rebuilding the Jedi Order and Leia forming the New Republic.
- A final trilogy (Episodes X-XII) would have explored a new generation of Jedi.
Lucas's Grand Plan for Star Wars
George Lucas originally imagined Star Wars as a much larger series than what was ultimately produced. His vision extended across 12 films, each contributing to a broader storyline that would reshape the galaxy's political and mystical landscape.
How the Original Trilogy Fit Into His Vision
Lucas initially positioned A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi as Episodes VI-VIII rather than IV-VI. The central conflict of these films would have remained similar, but they were originally part of a much larger arc.
The Prequels and the Clone Wars
The early concept for the prequels focused primarily on the Clone Wars. These stories would have detailed Anakin Skywalker's rise, his fall to the dark side, and Emperor Palpatine's rise to power. A separate film was also planned to introduce Luke Skywalker and bridge the gap between the prequels and what became the original trilogy.
Lucas's Plan for Sequels
Beyond the prequels, Lucas had a vision for sequels that would have expanded the story even further. Luke Skywalker would rebuild the Jedi Order, while Leia Organa would establish the New Republic and lead the galaxy into a new era.
The Planned Final Trilogy
Lucas even considered another set of films, Episodes X-XII, which would have introduced a new generation of Jedi and explored how the galaxy continued to evolve. These films were never fully developed but remained part of his long-term concept for Star Wars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did George Lucas originally plan the Star Wars prequels?
Yes, George Lucas had ideas for the Star Wars prequels from the beginning, but they were not fully developed. He hinted at the backstory of Anakin Skywalker, the fall of the Jedi, and the rise of the Empire as early as the 1970s.
How early did George Lucas think about making the Star Wars prequel trilogy?
George Lucas first mentioned a potential prequel trilogy in the late 1970s, but he focused on making the original trilogy first. It wasn’t until the 1990s that he actively began writing and planning the prequels.
Did George Lucas originally envision four Star Wars trilogies?
Mark Hamill has stated that George Lucas initially considered making four trilogies, totaling twelve Star Wars films. However, Lucas later scaled back his vision and primarily focused on the original, prequel, and sequel trilogies.
Why did George Lucas decide to make the Star Wars prequels?
Lucas wanted to explore Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader and the downfall of the Jedi, which were crucial elements in the Star Wars backstory. Advances in special effects technology also made it possible for him to tell the story the way he envisioned.
What was Lucas’s original plan for the Star Wars saga?
George Lucas initially conceived Star Wars as a long, epic saga with multiple trilogies. Over time, his plans evolved, and he ultimately committed to telling the story of Anakin Skywalker across the prequel and original trilogies.
Did George Lucas ever plan a Star Wars sequel trilogy?
Yes, Lucas had ideas for a sequel trilogy, but he ultimately sold Lucasfilm to Disney before fully developing them. His version of the sequels would have explored the rebuilding of the Jedi Order and the rise of new enemies.
Filipino Translation:
Alam mo ba na si George Lucas, yung lumikha ng Star Wars, meron talagang mas malaking plano para sa saga? Hindi lang yung classic trilogy na alam natin ngayon. Ang original niyang vision, sobrang ambisyoso—isang 12-film series na totally magbabago sa buong Star Wars universe.
Sa una niyang plano, ang A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, at Return of the Jedi ay dapat sana nasa Episodes VI-VIII. Yung prequel movies na eventually naging Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Episode II – Attack of the Clones, at Episode III – Revenge of the Sith—yun yung magpo-focus sa Clone Wars. Tapos, may isang pelikula pa na supposedly magkokonekta sa prequels at original trilogy, na magpapakilala kay Luke Skywalker sa audience.
Sa prequels, makikita kung paano umangat at bumagsak si Anakin Skywalker, plus kung paano naging Empire ang Galactic Republic sa ilalim ni Palpatine. Dito mo makikita kung gaano kalawak yung storytelling style ni Lucas. Sa sequels naman, plano niyang ipakita kung paano irerestore ni Luke Skywalker ang Jedi Order at paano itatatag ni Leia ang New Republic. Pero hindi lang dun natapos ang plano niya—meron pa siyang naisip na isa pang trilogy (Episodes X-XII) na susunod sa sequels. Ito dapat yung tututok sa bagong henerasyon ng Jedi at kung paano pa mag-e-evolve yung galaxy.
Grabe diba? Kung natuloy lahat ng ito, ibang klase siguro ang Star Wars ngayon!
How Early George Lucas Planned The Prequels & The Idea Of Four Star Wars Trilogies Revealed By Mark Hamill was first published here.
