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http://au.movies.ign.com/articles/770/770273p1.html
George Lucas On the Future of Star Wars
Lucas on whether we'll ever see Episode VIII.
by Eric Goldman
US, March 5, 2007 - This past weekend, George Lucas was honored at the Museum of Television and Radio's William S. Paley Television Festival. Fittingly, the conversation was mostly about Lucas's television work, both past and present, including The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and the two upcoming Star Wars oriented television series he is developing. However, Lucas also touched upon his future film work, including whether there might be any more Star Wars movies.
Lucas called them "the mysterious other Star Wars movies," referring to ongoing fan speculation on whether there might ever be an Episode VII, VIII and IX. Lucas said comments he made long ago were misconstrued as absolute statements, explaining that when he first was making the Star Wars films and was asked about future sequels, he had remarked, off the cuff, "Maybe we'll do another when the actors are all 80." However, the writer/director than laughed and added that, "What I didn't realize is, I'll be 80." Lucas noted that future Star Wars movies were, "An idea that seemed amusing at the time, but doesn't seem realistic now."
As for what films he will be working on, Lucas said that he'd been trying to get Indiana Jones 4 and Red Tails made for years, but is now, "Just about to get them finished." Indiana Jones 4 goes into production soon for a May 2008 release, but Lucas's comments seem to hint there will be an announcement in the not too distant future about the long in development Red Tails, which focuses on the Tuskegee Airmen -- African-American pilots who fought in World War II.
Lucas spent much of the time during this appearance explaining the difficulties he sees in the film business, and why he will be focusing more on television in the future, which he thinks is more "fun." Regarding his oft-mentioned "little, experimental" films he wishes to make, he reiterated his desire to do just that, but added these projects, "Might not make it into theaters."
It's much easier to refute things were ever said or put it down to misinterpretation, but it was never hard to simply state the truth that more movies were considered post ROTJ but now the idea of making them has lost its appeal. Kudos for setting the record straight......... for now.
"Well here's a big bag of rock salt" - Patton Oswalt