After yesterday's major announcements about Disney buying LucasFilm and a new Star Wars trilogy starting in 2015, there's been a lot of speculation concerning the direction of the series. Dale Pollock, author of the unauthorized biography Skywalking: The Life And Films Of George Lucas, says the next Star Wars film(s) will involve an older Luke Skywalker. Before he and Lucas had a falling out, Pollock apparently interviewed the filmmaker 80 times, and was allowed to read the original outline for the Star Wars films. The Playlist reported the following:

"[The Star Wars series] was originally a 12-part saga," Pollock said. "The three most exciting stories were 7, 8, and 9. They had propulsive action, really interesting new worlds, new characters. I remember thinking, 'I want to see these 3 movies.

However, the part that will get "Star Wars" fans excited is that Pollock says the stories feature Luke Skywalker in his 30s or 40s. "They will need an older Luke Skywalker," he says. So, sorry, probably no Mark Hamill.

This may not be the direction that the new Star Wars trilogy will go. Pollock's book came out in 1999, so lots can change in 13 or 14 years. (I always heard Star Wars was envisioned as a 9-part saga, so I also wonder about this 12-part business from Pollock.)

E! has a report through a Lucasfilm source that Episode VII will be an original story, which rules out an adaptation of Expanded Universe material. Let the wild speculation continue. Star Wars Episode VII: I Bent My Wookiee will come out some time in 2015.

[E! and The Wrap via The Playlist]