AboutLauren Gilkey Expertise I consider myself an expert because not only have I watched the movies repeatedly, but I consider myself a "purist" in the sense that I've read the books, but I only accept certain books as belonging to the true story. For example, the books written after "Vision of the Future" by Zahn I do not count as authentic storyline. My areas of specific expertise are: Jedi history, Han Solo, and bounty hunters.
Expert: Lauren Gilkey Date: 5/23/2007 Subject: The books
Question QUESTION: Did George Lucas write all the books from which the movies are based on? Is the story for each movie contained in each book respectively? There were at least 12 episodes? How many books have there been in case there were more than are technically called episodes? Thanks. :)
ANSWER: Dear James,
George Lucas did not write the books that you will find in the bookstore. Each book is based off of the original movies - Lucas wrote the screen play, then did the movies, then the books were written. There were rumors of 12 episodes - but getting actual confirmation that the 12 was Lucas' actual plan is difficult. Since Lucas delayed making the first 3 due to technology, I'm not sure if we will ever have confirmation of what Lucas' original plans were.
Thanks,
Lauren
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I was told that the empera actually comes back after episode 6? There must be at least an episode 7 if that is the case? Why would George allow someone else to write the books?
Answer Hi again,
There is are no future offical episodes. However, there are comic books and scifi books which continue the Star Wars saga, both before and after (and inbetween) all the movies. These are approved by Lucasarts. The stories are controlled as far as what the authors of the books or comics could reveal, suggest, or introduce. For example, none of the books were allowed to write the story of the young Anakin Skywalker, or the story of his mother Shmi.
The story when the Emperor comes back to life (actually, its a clone of the Emperor) is a comic book. The Emperor's spirit posseses a clone and actually trains Luke Skywalker in the Dark Side of the Force.
I'll let you draw your own conclusions on whether Lucas would have incorporated that story into any future movies/episodes.
