Disney Considering Big Plans For Star Wars After Episode IX

03/23/2017 09:28 pm EDT

The future of Star Wars is always in flux. The sci-fi franchise may be one of the most popular series in Hollywood at the moment, but its streak will only continue is fans are there to back it. Back in 2015, Disney and Lucasfilm partnered to revamp Star Wars for a new generation when The Force Awakens slid into theaters. Now, the studios are wanting to finish out their on-going trilogy
whilst interspersing special standalone films in-between.

However, if you think the two will simply let Star Wars rest after Episode IX airs, then think again. If the franchise still carries its ever-devoted fanbase by the time the final trilogy film debuts, Disney seems interested in keeping the intergalactic world alive.

Earlier today, the CEO of Disney spoke with press in Santa Monica about what the future could hold for Star Wars. It was there that The Hollywood Reporter says Bob Iger said fans can expect a lot from from the franchise.

"We're starting talk about what could happen after Episode IX. About what could be another decade-and-a-half of Star Wars stories," Iger said.

Clearly, there are plenty of fans who would be happy to see Star Wars carry on for 15 years or more. The expansive universe has countless stories to tell, and Lucasfilm proved it could introduce new leads like Rey and Poe without critical backlash. The future of Star Wars can continue on with both standalone ventures and further trilogies - even if the latter do not keep up with the Skywalker clan.

Recently, the director of Rogue One stressed the franchise wouldn't always need to use legacy characters to keep fans interested. Gary Whitta spoke with SuperHeroHype about the possibility, saying, "One of the thing things we really want to do at Lucasfilm is create a universe and not keep relying on old legacy characters."

"We've got Rey and Finn and Kylo Ren, they've already introduced a new generation of characters. Whatever kind of Star Wars films they're making 10 or 20 years from now, I don't think they're going to be relying on the same legacy story elements as we have in the past."

For full details about today's press conference, you can read up on it here.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi, from writer/director Rian Johnson, is in post-production now for a December 15, 2017 release. The film follows-up and continues the story of the next generation of the saga as Rey, Poe, Finn, and Kylo Ren find their place in the galaxy and follow the legacy of Luke Skywalker, Leia, and Han Solo. Daisy Ridley returns to star as Rey, with other returning stars John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, Gwendoline Christie, Peter Mayhew, Andy Serkis, Anthony Daniels, Lupita Nyong'o Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa. Benicio Del Toro and Laura Dern join the cast in as-yet-unrevealed roles.

More Star Wars News:

• ·Rumor Hints at Desperation for First Order and Resistance
• ·Lucasfilm Trademark Hints at New Star Wars Property
  
• ·Star Wars: Will We Get Luke Skywalker's Post-Return of the Jedi Story in The Last Jedi?

Disclosure: ComicBook is owned by CBS Interactive, a division of Paramount. Sign up for Paramount+ by clicking here.