Today in news that I'm putting in the "I'll believe it when I see it" category, it's been reported by Deadline that Simon Kinberg is now slated to write and produce three upcoming Star Wars films.
Deadline writer Mike Fleming Jr. clearly specifies that his intel says it's Episodes 10-12 but other people in the business with other intel disagree with this notion. These other reporters say it will be more along the lines of the James Mangold and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's standalone projects.
Until we get a trailer or confirmation that filming has begun, at least, I don't put too much faith in reports like these, even if it's coming from a place as reputable as Deadline. There have been so many announced movies and trilogies that have fallen through that it's difficult to be excited about these things. How is Patty Jenkins' Rogue Sqaudron doing? Taika Waititi's always in limbo but apparently still happening movie? The Rian Johnson trilogy? The Lando Calrissian TV show turned movie penned by Donald Glover? There is a pattern of new movies and films being announced, and then there is nothing for a long time before they're quietly let go. At least with something like the Rey Skywalker film, Daisy Ridley has been quite vocal about the movie being in the works.
The only thing that's really giving me some hope this might happen is that Simon Kinberg is not an unknown to Lucasfilm. He's one of the creators of Star Wars Rebels and was a consultant on The Force Awakens. They're familiar with his work, and he has a good relationship with the company. This isn't like Waititi who is always doing a million projects at any given point.
Still, I'm wary about any kind of announcement of this nature. Until I hear some definite word about production being underway, I'll believe it when I see it.