George Lucas made up a story. He wanted to turn it into a movie. It didn't fit into one movie. So then he'd fit it into 3 movie. It didn't fit into 3 movies so he'd put it into 3 trilogies.

But then he didn't know if the public would like his story, so he took out one part of the story that could be used for one single movie, and not leave much plot lines open. That became Star Wars 4, which later got the extra title 'A New Hope'. because the movie became a big success, and parts 5 and 6 of the 9 were going to be turned into movies as well.

As far as we know now, only the first 6 part are meant to be movies, according to one interview with George Lucas. I think he won't film parts 7, 8 and 9 because that is about Luke and not Anakin/Darth Vader like the first 6 parts.

Part 7, 8 and 9 are available as pocket books though, as are the many other trilogies and single books that are in the same time line or further into the future (I believe we are about 15 or 18 years further from SW4 now).

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Signatures are for losers

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Signatures are for losers

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"One's ethics are determined by what we do when no one is looking" Nugget
Star Trek: Gamma Quadrant
Star Trek: Legacy
Read them, rate them, got money, film them

"...and I remain on the far side of crazy, I remain the mortal enemy of man, no hundred dollar cure will save me..." WoV

They are close. When he wrote the original movie, Lucus sketched background information. He also realised he had too much plot, so he only used the first bit. If it had been one movie, the part that became A New Hope would have ended with Luke joining the rebels. But he had to have a climax to the film, so he took the climax from the overall story, the Death Star. Which created a problem when he actually got to do sequels.

Still, proving that he is one of the most imaginitive people on the planet, when he realised that he'd already used the Death Star, and that he needed a new climax for the trilogy, his brain fired into overdrive, and came up with, frankly, one of the most original and daring ideas in movie history ever.

"Er, let's just use the Death Star again. But, like, use TWO".

And then they dropped the idea of using two. Genius again.

He also realised that he could spin the backstory out into another 3 films. If he ever wanted to. Which he does. Now.

Star Wars officially became Episode IV: A New Hope, when the Empire Strikes Back was released. Lucus was hoping to create the whole Saturday afteroon serial feel.

The follow on books, largely started in the 90s by Timothy Zahn and teh "Thrawn" trilogy, have nothing what so ever to do with any ideas Lucus might have had for the story after Jedi. I doubt he gave it much thought.

Lucus has also said, several times, that once he's done episode 3, that's it. For ever.

Apart from possibly fiddling with IV-VI again. And doing the DVD's. But then that's it! Forever!

So, to sum up, Lucus never intended there to be episodes VII-IX, and you just try cutting out 90% of someone's brain, and see what they act like. GO ON!