Disney sure has some big plans for Lucasfilm: The studio reportedly hopes to release as many as three films from the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" production company every year.
When Walt Disney Co. purchased Lucasfilm last month, executives announced plans for a 2015 release of "Star Wars: Episode VII."
But "Star Wars: Episode VII" might just be the tip of the iceberg.
George Lucas' successor and president of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy, revealed Disney's big plans for Lucasfilm during a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, according to Kotaku. Kennedy reportedly said the company wants to produce "two or three films a year."
"[A]side from the odd 'Indiana Jones' flick certainly suggests we can expect all kinds of 'Star Wars' output over the next decade," notes Kotaku's Luke Plunkett.
However, when the Disney-Lucasfilm deal first went down, execs reportedly mentioned "Episode VIII" and "Episode IX". The films are set to reach theaters every two to three years, in a fashion similar to the cycle of "James Bond" features.
Whether or not Kennedy refers to two to three films per year or films every two to three years will be cleared up in the upcoming issue of Entertainment Weekly, "The Future of 'Star Wars,'" due on newsstands Friday.
As for the next "Star Wars" flick, the search for a director is down to "a couple of candidates," MTV News reports. Producer Frank Marshall, husband of Kathleen Kennedy, already knows who will be behind the much-anticipated installment but can't reveal a name just yet.
The Disney and Lucasfilm deal did not speed up the development of "Indiana Jones 5," according to Marshall. "I don't think it changes anything. It's still open, but it's really on the back burner and we're not really talking about it," he told MTV News. "'Star Wars' is next, so that's what we're focusing on. 'Indy' is back there, but nothing has changed."
Three of the biggest rumored names in the running for "Episode VII" director include Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams, and “300″ director Zack Snyder, according to ABC News.
'Star Wars: Episode VII': Who Should Direct?
Joss Whedon(01 of19)
Open Image ModalJoss Whedon has the skills and geek cred to make any wary "Star Wars" fan feel at ease about "Episode VII." Unfortunately, he's too busy making "The Avengers 2" for Disney; like the new "Star Wars" film (still feels funny to write that seriously), Marvel's much-anticipated sequel is due out in less than three years. There's always "Episode VIII"!
ODDS: N/A (credit:Getty Images)
Genndy Tartakovsky(02 of19)
Open Image ModalEdgar Wright and/or Joe Cornish(03 of19)
Open Image ModalLouis Leterrier(04 of19)
Open Image ModalJoseph Kosinski(05 of19)
Open Image ModalSteven Spielberg(06 of19)
Open Image ModalSteven Spielberg has a past relationship with both George Lucas, Kathleen Kennedy and Disney. Plus, Spielberg did some assistant work on "Episode III." It's a perfect marriage! Except for the fact that Spielberg recently told "60 Minutes" that he was done directing action blockbusters. (Except for "Robopocalypse," an action blockbuster due out in 2014, which probably takes him out of "Episode VII" duty anyway.)
ODDS: 350-1
UPDATE: Spileberg has said he's out. (credit:Getty Images)
Tim Burton(07 of19)
Open Image ModalDisney and Tim Burton have a quite a relationship. Unfortunately, in 2012, that relationship has led to box office failures like "Dark Shadows" and "Frankenweenie." On the plus side, a "Star Wars" directed by Tim Burton would include Helena Bonham Carter as some kind of intergalactic senator in a headdress. (Just a guess.)
ODDS: 300-1 (credit:Getty Images)
Ron Howard(08 of19)
Open Image ModalRon Howard loves himself a big spectacle, it's just that his next big spectacle might be "The Dark Tower."
ODDS: 300-1 (credit:AP)
Robert Zemeckis(09 of19)
Open Image ModalPatty Jenkins(10 of19)
Open Image ModalBrad Bird(11 of19)
Open Image ModalColin Trevorrow(12 of19)
Open Image ModalAudiences might not be that familiar with Colin Trevorrow, but if there's one dark horse indie director in the mix (and there usually is; see Marc Webb for "The Amazing Spider-Man") it could be the "Safety Not Guaranteed" director. That film had heart, lo-fi special effects and ingenuity; wouldn't it be nice to see those traits in a modern-era "Star Wars"?
ODDS: 125-1
UPDATE: Trevorrow is out. (credit:Getty Images)
M. Night Shyamalan(13 of19)
Open Image ModalM. Night Shyamalan was once dubbed "the next Spielberg." Would he settle for the next Lucas?
ODDS: 75-1 (credit:PA)
Andrew Stanton(14 of19)
Open Image ModalAs some critics noted, "John Carter" was the best "Star Wars" prequel George Lucas never made. Disney lost a lot of money on Andrew Stanton's notorious and expensive flop, but they clearly like working with him. Maybe the studio will give him an established brand and let him run wild?
ODDS: 50-1 (credit:Getty Images)
Joe Johnston(15 of19)
Open Image ModalJon Favreau(16 of19)
Open Image ModalAnthony Hemingway(17 of19)
Open Image ModalGeorge Lucas chose Anthony Hemingway to direct "Red Tails," which was hailed for its "Star Wars"-y battle scenes (if little else). Hemingway will come cheap and knows how to work with Lucas, who will still be involved in the making of "Episode VII" -- at least as a consultant. Don't discount their collaborative efforts.
ODDS: 35-1 (credit:Getty Images)
F. Gary Gray(18 of19)
Open Image ModalDon't forget: F. Gary Gray ("The Negotiator") was on the short list of directors for the Marvel-Disney production of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." If the studio liked him enough for that film, could a galaxy far, far away be next?
ODDS: 30-1 (credit:Getty Images)
Gore Verbinski(19 of19)
Open Image ModalWith Johnny Depp as Chewbacca.
ODDS: 20-1 (credit:AP)
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