Are the new three movies going to be an apology for the atrocity known only as Jar Jar Binks? We can but hope, but I very much doubt it. Will Vader return sporting Mickey Mouse ears? I doubt that too. Will there be a Marvel/Star Wars cross story with Wolverine fighting Darth Vader? Actually, that would make for a good videogame which brings me to the first set of rumours.

Some people are saying that Episodes 7-9 could be based on either The Force Unleashed or the MMO, The Old Republic, first up, the both the SWTOR and Force Unleashed  ideas only applies to the mathematically inept as these films have been touted as sequels already. Although they might make for half decent standalone content they’d never make for anywhere near the substance needed to either make up for Episodes 1-3 or compete with the glory of Episodes 4-6. Force Unleashed is based on a not amazing, but certainly better than average duo of videogames and a rather poor comic whereas the SWTOR idea would be instantly recognisable to those who’ve played the game, but as we all know the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is 3,720 to 1 and successfully navigating a videogame script to produce a watchable movie is approximately 3,720,000,000 to 1 and more dangerous than asking *insert currently topical predator here* to babysit.

One more sensible, yet chronologically incorrect idea is that between Episodes 3 and 4 the much maligned and unpopular for those of the more goody-two-shoes Jedi persuasion, Order 66 was created and enacted. Movies based on that wouldn’t be too bad an idea, but considering it was glossed over in Episode 3 and would really be Episode 3.5 mean this would be as likely as Chuck Norris wearing a dress. Plus, Disney probably wouldn’t go for such an idea which would effectively be a fighty version of Schindler’s List in space.

So, that leaves us with two realistic possibilities for Episodes 7-9 which would be based on the rebuilding of a New Republic. This, for me would leave very little for Jedi battles, and without Sith in the films would seriously detract from what Star Wars is all about. But, in all fairness Jar Jar Binks detracts from all that Star Wars, or anything even vaguely humane is all about.

This brings us to the last viable option,  Cycle of Thrawn, a trilogy already written and accepted by fans as a true continuation of the saga which centres around the exploits of General Thrawn, the last war chief of the Emperor. Although not Sith himself, this would make for plenty of space battles, give us a new charismatic villain to enjoy and continues from the events of Episode 6. We would have new actors playing the already known roles of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo etc but we’d have immediate characters we know and love, plus there would be the chance to see the original cast as their older selves later in the new trilogy.

So, it seems exciting times are ahead, whether or not the saga will sink further into the dark side or not remains to be seen, but come in 2015 we’ll all see for ourselves if the force is strong with this one.