Like most of you, Star Wars is an oddly gigantic part of my life. I really don’t think there’s a movie more important to me than The Empire Strikes Back. Of course I have to acknowledge that there are films that are objectively “better,” but the original trilogy is one of the few things that can still elicit in me a childlike sense of wonder. But, sadly, George Lucas has led us astray over the past 15 or so years.

The prequel trilogy has become synonymous with abject failure in our modern cultural vernacular, much like M. Night Shyamalan or the Detroit Lions. Which, of course, is totally depressing. The thing is, there are plenty of films that are much worse than The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith. But compared to what they could have, and should have been they pretty much could not have missed the mark more.

I was flipping through my collection of old Star Wars comics recently and on the cover of issue #5 (art by Dave Dorman by the way, the best Star Wars illustrator ever), I noticed this headline on the front: “News! George Lucas Announces New Star Wars Movies!!” With a heavy heart I flipped to the article and looked back to a time when the new trilogy was not only a bright light in the future, but was presumed to be the biggest movie event, well, ever.

Reading through the article is actually quite sad, as the author is obviously over-the-moon excited. Strangely enough though, he has a Nostradamus moment and wonders whether Lucas will misguidedly market the film towards children based on toy and video game sales. Bet he never saw Jar Jar motherfuckin’ Binks coming though.

The reason I bring all this up now? Well the web is once again rampant with rumors that George Lucas has started development on yet another trilogy. This time a set of sequels, most likely episodes 7,8, and 9, though some are saying he’s going for 10-12 first. Which implies there will at some point be six new Star Wars movies. Which is fucking nuts. For all intents and purposes, this is like the worst idea I’ve ever heard.

And yet, some part of me wants this to happen. I guess my feeling is how much goddamn worse could it get? Somewhere between the Star Wars Holiday Special and that Clone Wars movie, rock bottom was hit right? And maybe a fresh start with new characters from the expanded universe is just what the best Science Fiction epic ever told needs to get back on track. George Lucas, may the force be with you on this one.

- Whole Milk