STAR WARS' Novelist Timothy Zahn Shares His Opinion Of The New Trilogy

STAR WARS' Novelist Timothy Zahn Shares His Opinion Of The New Trilogy

Timothy Zahn, best known for expanding the Star Wars' universe with his "Thrawn Trilogy," a series of novels that explored the lives of Luke, Leia, and Han Solo five years after Return of the Jedi. Today, EW spoke with the author about the new trilogy.

By nailbiter111 - Nov 02, 2012 02:11 PM EST
Filed Under: Star Wars
Source: ew.com



After news broke this week that Disney had purchased LucasFilm and was planning to make Star Wars: Episodes VII, VIII, and IV many fans assumed, or were just plain hopeful that the sequels would follow the path that Timothy Zahn's novels had taken. Since then most of the rumors about the sequels have stressed that the stories would original, not using anything from Zahn's "Thrawn Trilogy," nor Dark Horse's comic books. Today, EW was able to chat with the New York Times' best-selling author about the news and here is what he had to say.

“The books were always just the books. The original idea as I understood it— and Lucas changes his mind off and on, so it may not be what he’s thinking right now – but it was going to be three generations. You’d have the original trilogy, then go back to Luke’s father and find out what happened to him [in the prequels], 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.”

“It could be an entirely new storyline, but if he picks and chooses bits and pieces from the expanded universe, we’d all be thrilled to death.”


Click Here To See What Zahn Had To Say About His Next Star Wars Novel




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SymbioteSpidey1
SymbioteSpidey1 - 11/2/2012, 3:15 PM
First, and still trying to cope with all this
soberchimera
soberchimera - 11/2/2012, 3:16 PM
Episodes I-III: Anakin Skywalker
Episodes IV-VI: Luke Skywalker
Episodes VII-IX: Ben Skywalker
luckylu
luckylu - 11/2/2012, 3:16 PM
was really hoping they would follow these books but oh well. its star wars so ill still go see it
AnotherSinisterClone
AnotherSinisterClone - 11/2/2012, 3:17 PM
maybe they'll do what comic movies do and cherrypick the best parts from different books. You need a Skywalker, and the next generation is the best logical step. Plus Hammil is totally underated as an actor.
PirateOpossum
PirateOpossum - 11/2/2012, 3:21 PM
Timothy Zahn should have been hired to help write it ...
jimpinto24
jimpinto24 - 11/2/2012, 3:30 PM
There is new hope for the Star Wars franchise. I have not been a fan of the current trilogy. (Even though I did like Phantom of the Menace, but the Star Wars films back in the day were better) I hope Star Wars Episode 7 is great.
Brady1138
Brady1138 - 11/2/2012, 3:38 PM
Lucas did hint at some cherrypicking when it came to the comics and novels (though to what extent is anyone's guess), but I'm glad it's all gonna mostly be original material. These (and the two Hand of Thrawn books which everyone seems to forget about) might be good in-between stories, with the new trilogy picking up later.

I'm also kind of hoping this new trilogy will override the soap operas that were The New Jedi Order, Legacy of the Force, Dark Nest, and Fate of the Jedi books. Those have gone WAY too far.
hYPE
hYPE - 11/2/2012, 3:41 PM
@soberchimera61 I was thinking the same thing, definitely Luke's boy Ben Skywalker for Episode 7, 8, & 9. You could do so much with that. Have Hayden Christen come back as a force spirit or Vader. Like they did in the SW comics Legacy. Anything is possible.
storyteller
storyteller - 11/2/2012, 3:43 PM
I honestly don't want to see the Solo/Skywalker kids or family again. I hope this movie takes place long after. The father/sons/daughters/mothers storyline is done.
THRILLHO
THRILLHO - 11/2/2012, 3:45 PM
Bring back Darth Maul!!!!
ArtisticErotic
ArtisticErotic - 11/2/2012, 4:15 PM
Going with Luke kids is the best way. I also think it should be a woman just to mix thing ups and have the secondary character an alien.

datNAMEtho
datNAMEtho - 11/2/2012, 4:23 PM
Make it good Disney. Make it good.
AUSSYACE
AUSSYACE - 11/2/2012, 4:29 PM
AUSSYACE
AUSSYACE - 11/2/2012, 4:30 PM
THE ORIGINAL ACTORS ARE NOT DEAD YET...

MAKE IT HAPPEN NOW DISNEY...
siggisuperman
siggisuperman - 11/2/2012, 4:34 PM
I would love it if they were three movies about Ben Skywalker.. and a lot of other characters as well of course
holeymonkey
holeymonkey - 11/2/2012, 4:34 PM
There is no way in hell you'll get Harrison Ford in another Star Wars film.
superpooper
superpooper - 11/2/2012, 4:43 PM
^^ Judging by how his career is going lately I don't think that will be a problem. As a matter of fact I think he'll do exactly as he's told like a good little doggy and say "thank you" when he's done. And if he doesn't then I guess it's sayonara Solo. No big deal.
superpooper
superpooper - 11/2/2012, 4:45 PM
@storyteller Yes. I 2nd that motion.
JULEZ13
JULEZ13 - 11/2/2012, 4:47 PM
Luke Skywalker having a kid? Aren't Jedi's not allowed to have such relations? Or since the Jedi religion is destroyed is Luke just gonna do as he pleases? Does this mean they won't restart the Jedi culture? O.o

Even more questions.
CoolantTech
CoolantTech - 11/2/2012, 4:54 PM
Love StarWars, love all the prequels too, they just had that fun saturday morning feel to them and the first 20 minutes of RotS and Empire was the most epic begining 20 minutes of any of the sci-fy films in my opinion

but on topic, I feel that Lucas whould intergrate some
of the novel stories eventually, its too much to choose from

HachibiTheMC
HachibiTheMC - 11/2/2012, 4:57 PM
@Julez13...

Wow, in interest of saving time, I'll try to control my inner star wars geek and answer as succinctly as possible.

Yes. Not anymore. Kinda sorta. Not even close....

Any other questions - just wookieepedia it. EU has taken the story WAAAY beyond the 2 trilogies.
HachibiTheMC
HachibiTheMC - 11/2/2012, 5:05 PM
my question is: how closely (or loosely) are they going to follow the books? Maybe not follow the books, per se, but at the very least be mindful of the EU timeline?

From what I know, the novels were considered canon - cuz they had to get final signoff from George.

If Disney does consider the different novels canon, this would be a perfect opportunity to introduce the Lost Tribe and then later on the One Sith..

Okay, tamping down my inner star wars geek (for real this time).

Calrissian in 2016!!
gaikinger
gaikinger - 11/2/2012, 5:15 PM
those books were sooooo boring....please dont.
gaikinger
gaikinger - 11/2/2012, 5:22 PM
JULEZ13- I think the Jedi were kind of screwed up with all those rules. No one is ever gonna tap that blue chic....really? They made alot of mistakes in playing head games with Annakin and thought Mace and Yoda kinda came off as jerks. Luke is gonna reform the Jedi so that they can be a little wreckless and still be badass keepers of the faith. He cant leave it that the only girl he ever kissed was his sister...ewwww.
SolidSnake007
SolidSnake007 - 11/2/2012, 5:59 PM
So 7 will be the first Star Wars movie post Force Unleashed, Jedi and Sith's powers and abilities are going to have a major boost in the new movies. Considering what we saw Starkiller do, The new force users are going to be unbelievably strong.
Happy11
Happy11 - 11/2/2012, 6:02 PM
I also think that the way Ford's career is going he would be a fool to walk away if there is a role for him.
GnomeSauce
GnomeSauce - 11/2/2012, 6:08 PM
Hasn't the Thrawn Trilogy been recognized as canon? I've understood it as such. Really hope they don't spin off too far from what has already been laid out and proved so popular.
RobLiefeldFan
RobLiefeldFan - 11/2/2012, 7:42 PM
Don't want to watch a Star Wars Movie to know what is already going to happen, I don't want an old Luke Skywalker a Cameo may be fun as an Old Man, I want something Brand New, Fresh and Exciting
MAXQ1961
MAXQ1961 - 11/2/2012, 11:30 PM
Disney will probably start fresh with a touch of Lucas.

Bring in someone fresh to do a lengthy treatment and maybe Timothy Zahn to but leave out Luke and Leia and Solo this would be to pandering and stale nostalgia.
MAXQ1961
MAXQ1961 - 11/2/2012, 11:35 PM
Young fresh cast, with an aging british actor as the mysterious monk in the desert...
MAXQ1961
MAXQ1961 - 11/2/2012, 11:39 PM
Terence Stamp... Luke I am your son... give into the dark chocolate!
MAXQ1961
MAXQ1961 - 11/2/2012, 11:40 PM
Kneel before Zod!
Gamester76
Gamester76 - 11/2/2012, 11:44 PM
Obviously, they aren't based on the Trawn trilogy. But I just hope that the new films don't do anything to contradict those books. Because if that's the case, there goes continuity for half of the EU right there! Out the window! Gone! Did you see it?
Greggmcg
Greggmcg - 11/3/2012, 6:36 AM
I don't care what they do as long as it's better than the prequels.
exodus147
exodus147 - 11/3/2012, 7:35 AM
Han and Leia's kids would likely be in there to somewhere. Jaina and Jacen if memory serves correct. I had about 15 novels I read about 10-15 years ago.
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