Speaking from the Lucasfilm Limited headquarters in the Presidio of San Francisco, George Lucas announced today plans to start production on three new prequels for the Star Wars franchise. “These are prequel prequels,” said Lucas, “and they take place nearly 100 years before the events in The Phantom Menace.” Lucas explained he had been working on the scripts for the three new movies for the last two years, but the “ideas and inspiration have always been in my brain since A New Hope back in 1977.” He noted casting was underway and he is planning to film all three simultaneously, ala Lord of The Rings, beginning in January of 2011. Release dates have not been confirmed, but Lucas hinted at May 2012, May 2013 and May 2014.

Asked if he could give some insight into the story, Lucas explained the saga would revolve around two siblings – twins – named Yriah Kcasllab and Ynit Sinep Kcasllab who are saved by Jedi Master Yoda after there jungle planet, Toocyriah, is raided by a cyborg pirate named Eyeder Von Eyenworb. Lucas said because fans loved Yoda in the prequels he wanted to explain how Yoda came to be the person he is in The Phantom Menace, Attack of The Clones, Revenge of the Sith, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He said fans can count on finding out if Yoda had a girlfriend, how he got those pajamas he wears under his jedi robe and how much love Yoda had for the Gugan species.

Lucas plans to film the entire prequel prequel trilogy using James Cameron’s 3-D technology and said the budget for the films will be kept in check because he’s only using one non-CGI actor, Temura Morrison, who plays Fronka Fett, the great grandfather of Jango Fett.

I don’t know about you guys, but I just can’t wait for this! I love George Lucas and I love what he did with the prequels. Seeing his wizardry for the prequel prequels will be amazing! Go George!