George Lucas’ Original Plan for Star Wars Included 12 Movies, And a Major Change to the Prequels

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Initially, George Lucas conceived a far more extensive Star Wars saga than what fans are familiar with today. His original plan, hinted at in a 1978 Time magazine article, envisioned a 12-movie series that would explore the galaxy’s past and future in greater depth compared to the six films ultimately produced by Lucas himself (nine if we include the Disney-produced sequels). This grand design expanded on the Skywalker lore significantly, essentially redefining the sequel trilogy as we know it, and introduced concepts that would undergo significant changes over several decades.

The Genesis of a Galactic History Was Always a Central Focus

In my perspective, Lucas’s early blueprint for Star Wars was intriguingly structured around a unique numbering system that positioned the original trilogy – Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi – not as the saga’s inception, but as its heart. In Lucas’ original sketch, the formative tales of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo were labeled as Episodes VI, VII, and VIII, hinting at a grand epic unfolding before their adventures even began. This arrangement underscores that Lucas envisioned Star Wars as an epic spanning multiple generations. However, this concept evolved over time, with the original trilogy initially perceived as a crucial, but not foundational, part of a much larger narrative.

Lucas initially intended to set a detailed historical context for his cosmos by delving into incidents predating Darth Vader and the Empire’s emergence. In this twelve-part structure, the Clone Wars were conceived as a major conflict that stretched across Episodes II, III, and IV. However, this is significantly distinct from how the prequels unfolded eventually, with the Clone Wars being just one significant arc within the trilogy.

Lucas’ initial notes refer to “Episode I” as an introduction or prologue, suggesting it served as a foundational story that established the setting for the turbulent period that would unfold later. Although not directly mentioned in the notes, rearranging the prequels and introducing a prologue implies that Lucas had a definite plan to develop Star Wars from its origins, providing more context about the events leading up to the galaxy’s state at the start of the original trilogy. The subsequent prequel films, “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace,” “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones,” and “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith,” while delving into the Clone Wars and Anakin Skywalker’s downfall, essentially condensed what was initially intended to be a more expansive, multi-film examination of this era. The creation of the animated series, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” has since brought some of these ideas to fruition, significantly expanding on Anakin and Obi-Wan’s backstory and the political landscape of the galaxy as a whole.

In Lucas’ original plan for the Clone Wars, the main storyline would have delved into the Republic’s downfall and the regrettable errors made by the Jedi Order that led to it. The quest for a “chosen one” and Palpatine’s deceitful schemes were always key components, although the exact dramatic moments and the sequence of important plot events underwent changes over time.

Initially, various versions of the tale featured distinct romantic connections, such as Luke and Leia not initially conceived as siblings, and the idea that Vader was Luke’s father was a significant plot twist added later on in the narrative’s development.

The Saga’s Evolution Led to Uncharted Territories Beyond Familiar Trilogies

As a devoted fan following George Lucas’s Star Wars saga, I can share that beyond the initial nine movies (the three prequels, originals, and sequels), his grand 12-film scheme held many intriguing mysteries. Episodes IX through XI were left blank, offering potential for future tales that were then uncharted, while Episode XII was marked as the saga’s closing act. Though Lucas had a general roadmap for his series, the specific stories for the later movies remained undeveloped, allowing for organic growth or perhaps the exploration of entirely novel directions.

Gradually, Lucas’ ideas for potential future movies started becoming more defined, at least in general outlines. Many innovative concepts emerged that deviated substantially from the core themes of the Skywalker Saga. For example, there were talks about a fourth trilogy delving into a “microbiotic world” and introducing cosmic beings called the “Whills,” who were rumored to govern the universe and subsist on the Force. However, the Whills were only briefly mentioned in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Developing their story any further would have disrupted the main narrative’s flow.

The ideas presented, like the Whills, hinted at a more philosophical and abstract approach for the series, steering away from typical good-versus-evil conflicts towards delving deeper into the essence of the Force itself. Additionally, they proposed less traditional stories focusing on Wookiees or Ewoks, demonstrating an openness to explore diverse corners and species within the Star Wars galaxy, which later found expression in novels and comics.

In my perspective as a fan, although certain concepts from George Lucas’ original 12-movie vision didn’t end up in the live-action films, traces of his grander vision, especially the investigation into the Force and its enigmatic aspects, occasionally surfaced in animated shows and other content. The choice to condense the saga, concentrate the first two trilogies on the Skywalkers, and eventually sell Lucasfilm to Disney, introduced a fresh perspective to Star Wars. Nevertheless, the residue of Lucas’ expansive 12-film vision continues to intrigue us as a captivating reminder of the unlimited creative possibilities he envisioned in that distant galaxy.

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2025-06-29 03:11