# Everything George Lucas Originally Planned for Episodes 7-9
When George Lucas sold Star Wars to Disney in 2012 for over 4 billion dollars, he didn’t just hand over the franchise empty-handed. Lucas had detailed plans for what would become Episodes 7, 8, and 9 of the Star Wars saga. These plans were eventually revealed in Paul Duncan’s book “The Star Wars Archives 1999-2005,” giving fans a fascinating glimpse into what could have been if Disney had followed Lucas’ original vision instead of starting from scratch.
## The Focus on Princess Leia
One of the most significant aspects of George Lucas’ original sequel trilogy plan was that it would have heavily centered on Princess Leia Organa, played by the late Carrie Fisher. This was a major departure from what Disney ultimately delivered in their sequel films. Lucas envisioned Leia as a central figure in the new trilogy, which would have given Fisher a much more prominent role in the continuation of the Star Wars story. This focus on Leia represented Lucas’ desire to continue exploring the original trilogy’s main characters and their legacies in meaningful ways.
## The Broader Vision for the Sequels
When Disney initially acquired Lucasfilm, the plan was to use Lucas’ outlines for the sequel trilogy. However, the House of Mouse later decided to start from scratch with their own creative direction. This decision proved to be one of the most controversial choices in Star Wars history, as it led to the divisive films that fans have debated extensively since their release.
Lucas himself has expressed his feelings about how Disney handled the franchise. He stated that he was the one who truly understood what Star Wars was and knew the world deeply. He pointed out that many of the ideas from the original films got lost when other creators took over after he sold the company. Lucas emphasized that the Force, for example, was not well understood by those who came after him, and many of the original concepts were abandoned in favor of new directions.
## Lucas’ Perspective on His Lost Vision
In interviews following the release of the Disney sequel trilogy, Lucas made it clear that he believed Disney had gotten the trilogy wrong. He explained that there was a lot to the Star Wars universe that required deep understanding, and that knowledge was lost in the transition. The creator acknowledged that once he gave up the company, he had to accept that his vision would no longer be the guiding force behind the franchise.
Despite having visited sets occasionally since Disney took charge, Lucas has mostly kept his opinions to himself and has indicated that he has moved past Star Wars. He suggested that he has moved on with his life and is no longer focused on the franchise that he created. This represents a significant shift from his earlier involvement with the saga, where he was intimately involved in every creative decision.
## What We Know About the Plans
While the complete details of Lucas’ sequel trilogy plans have not been fully disclosed to the public, what has been revealed shows that his vision was quite different from what Disney ultimately produced. The emphasis on Leia as a central character suggests that Lucas wanted to continue the story of the original trilogy’s heroes in a more direct way than Disney chose to do.
The fact that Lucas had outlines prepared before selling the company indicates that he had thought through the major plot points and character arcs for the new trilogy. These outlines would have provided a roadmap for the films, ensuring continuity with the themes and ideas that Lucas had established throughout the original six films.
## The Impact of Disney’s Decision
Disney’s choice to abandon Lucas’ outlines and start fresh had profound consequences for the Star Wars franchise. The resulting trilogy, consisting of “The Force Awakens,” “The Last Jedi,” and “The Rise of Skywalker,” became one of the most divisive series of films in cinema history. Fans were split on whether the new direction was a refreshing take on the saga or a betrayal of Lucas’ original vision.
The controversy surrounding the sequel trilogy has had lasting effects on the Star Wars franchise. Fans have expressed unhappiness with how the franchise has been handled, and there has been significant discussion about what might have been if Lucas’ plans had been followed. The divisive nature of the films has led to questions about the future direction of Star Wars and who should be making creative decisions for the property.
## Lucas’ Legacy and the Franchise’s Future
Despite stepping away from Star Wars, George Lucas’ influence on the franchise remains significant. His original vision for Episodes 7 through 9, while not fully realized, represents an important part of Star Wars history. The revelation of his plans has allowed fans to speculate about what the sequels might have looked like under his direction.
Lucas has indicated that he does not plan to return to Star Wars, having moved on to other projects and interests. However, his museum and other endeavors continue to showcase his creative legacy. The question of what Lucas originally planned for the sequel trilogy remains a fascinating “what if” for Star Wars fans, representing a path not taken in one of cinema’s most beloved franchises.
The contrast between Lucas’ original vision and what Disney ultimately delivered serves as a reminder of how different creative choices can lead to vastly different outcomes. While we may never know all the details of what Lucas had planned for Episodes 7 through 9, what has been revealed shows that his vision was distinct from the direction the franchise ultimately took. The focus on Leia and the deeper understanding of the Force and the Star Wars universe that Lucas possessed suggest that the sequels might have been quite different had his plans been followed.
