'Star Wars Episode 7,' Spinoff Movies, Expanded Universe & More [RUMORS] Disney & Lucasfilm See Marvel Cinematic Universe As Guide For TV & Film Future?

New reports are claiming that the future of Star Wars, starting with the animated series Star Wars Rebels and the 2015 movie Episode VII, will involve plenty of interconnected storylines and in ways we've never expected. Much like the Marvel Cinematic universe, we're likely to see character pop up in films for cameos and guest spots, but there's more to the story that's less cut and dry.

In January of 2014, Disney and Lucasfilm announced that a special team of writers would be responsible for Star Wars canon. Here is an excerpt from the official announcement:

In order to give maximum creative freedom to the filmmakers and also preserve an element of surprise and discovery for the audience, Star Wars Episodes VII-IX will not tell the same story told in the post-Return of the Jedi Expanded Universe. While the universe that readers knew is changing, it is not being discarded. Creators of new Star Wars entertainment have full access to the rich content of the Expanded Universe.

So all of the stories from the Expanded Universe have been thrown out essentially, to make room for something much bigger in terms of scope and production - according to this new rumor.

Badass Digest suggests:

"That longform vision alone is exciting. But what's more, they're going to weave this story through cartoons and books and comics, making every piece of side story count. Star Wars has too long been a central series of movies surrounded by absolutely disposable books, comics and games. No more. You won't have to know that stuff to follow the main story, but if you do know that stuff you're going to be rewarded. As a nerd I like knowing that stuff, and I like knowing it counts.. It's all going to matter."

For more details on this rumor, head over to Slash Film.