Disney looks to be already planning Star Wars Episodes 8 and 9, as Deadline reports it has approached Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi scribe Lawrence Kasden, as well as X-Men: First Class writer Simon Kinsberg to pen the two upcoming sequels.
According to the report, Disney has approached the pair to “get the ball rolling” on the next two installments, with Michael Arndt already attached to write Episode 7. The Hollywood Reporter followed up on this news and said deals have been signed, but it’s unclear which Episode each of the two will have.
Arndt has also reportedly turned in a treatment for Episodes 8 and 9, so it’s likely if either Kasden or Kinsberg comes on board they’ll be working off the treatment mapped out by Arndt. Deadline also points out Lucas will be involved in the treatment.
During their October 30 conference call making their Lucasfilm acquisition announcement, Disney CEO Bob Iger stated that they received a “pretty extensive treatment for what would be the next three [Star Wars] films.” Iger added they were pleased with the treatment and the films were in “early stages.”
Star Wars creator George Lucas added, “It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime. I’m confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come.”