nightstalkerpoet said:

Actually, in all honesty it is done because of one reason:

Because Lucas only had story enough for one film, which he released in 1977. When both of the people he contracted to write a sequel turned in stories he didn't care for (sorry, no 12-film Original Vision), he decided to just expand that one story.

He quickly developed a serious case of writer's block and decided to let his ego lead the way. He shrunk all the elements, characters, and the universe they took place in, as an easy out. Counting all the SE versions, Prequels, BD, upcoming 3D, etc - he's spent nearly 35 years re-telling that same story. Poorly. When Red Tails tanks, he'll go back to Star Wars, yet again.

Better writers\directors make other films. George has proven time and again that he can't move past Star Wars. There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home.......