As of april 25, 2014, the only previously published materials that are considered canon are the six star wars films, the star wars. This set features two fully poseable 3 34inch scale action figures from hasbro and a dark horse comic book featuring the characters. More star wars expanded universe characters may soon become canon. Christopher cerasi stated, when it comes to absolute canon, the real story of star wars, you must turn to the films themselvesand only the films. Gone are the days where new storylines are floated in thousandpage novelsappendices. If you want to read the expanded universelegends books in chronological order, this timeline. The movies and the clone wars television series are what he and his handpicked writers reference when adding cinematic adventures to the star wars oeuvre.
This is a page about the star wars universe and its history. However, the legends stories, as theyre now known have seen bits and pieces. The truth about the expanded universe and the expanded. After disney purchased lucasfilm in 2012, a rather significant decision was made that split the fanbase. Dec 15, 2015 since then, disney has set about creating its own expanded universe.
Jan 16, 2018 a major sticking point for longtime star wars fans when disney purchased lucasfilm has been the decision for the company to abandon the expanded universe in 2014. So that would be proof that george lucas didnt like the direction that the expanded universe went. The franchise as a whole publishing company for the books fans of the expanded universe consider just about everything in the expanded universe canon in some way. Wars clone warsstar wars humorstar wars concept artstar wars fan artstar wars novels. Regarding the status of the expanded universe canon in relation to the official canon established by the films. The force awakens was highly anticipated, but many dedicated fans of the franchise were also somewhat shaken by the announcement that the star wars expanded universe would be rebranded as star wars legends. Star wars has been expanded to media other than the original films. Episode i the phantom menace, lucasfilm has divided its titles by fictional era with symbols designating such.
Any content that was extrapolated from the combination of canon and eu content, the majority only speculated. Real reason lucasfilm abandoned the star wars expanded. But as an avid fan of the star wars expanded universe, now known as the. The most definitive canon of the star wars universe is encompassed by the feature films and television productions in which george lucas is directly involved. Thirty plus years of stories and lore in the expanded universe was wiped away and no longer considered star wars canon. Star wars canon timeline in the style of legends novels. Its actual language is quite a bit softer, temporizing that the eu is not being discarded, just changed. The entire star wars community was up in arms when disney said the eu is no longer canon. The new star wars canon is infinitely better than the old.
Short star wars canon eu stories orientation john jackson miller the imperial cruiser defiance is on route to ryloth to deal with an continue reading star wars short stories. For me and my training here at lucasfilm, working with george, he and i always thought the expanded universe was just that. As a result, the only canon stories that exist as fact in the star wars universe are the films, the clone wars animated series, the upcoming star wars rebels series, and future novels. Disney still sells those noncanon books under the legends moniker because even if the books dont count. Droides star warsstar wars canonstar wars filmstar wars characters. However in april 2014, with the knowledge that the new sequel trilogy was not beholden to events created in the expanded universe, lucasfilm announced that, going forward, everything in the star wars expanded universe would be rebranded star wars legends and a new canonical universe would be created. Here are the only star wars books that are considered canon. The star wars expanded universe is my canon home facebook. Were talking 30 years of material, ranging from books to tv shows to video games. Timothy zahn says we shouldnt assume that all star wars. We are primarily a source of discussion and news for anything involving the star wars expanded universe legends or story group canon. Allstons work had the kind of comedic moments youd expect to get when you. Many fans were outraged, because several non canon stories known as being part of the expanded universe had become almost as popular as the main.
Star wars expanded universe stories to feature in episode. The 10 best stories in the star wars expanded universe. The terminology of expanded universe was a careful one. You dont know squat about star wars imgur star wars family tree. For those unfamiliar with the term, the expanded universe is the official designation for all star wars material that has not been produced directly by lucasfilm, whether it be comic books, novels. A selection of senior staff was on hand during comiccon 2014 to explain why fans shouldnt see the eu as dead or meaningless since they themselves still view.
Art is such an incredibly subjective thing that it is impossible to say what is objectivally better or worse. The star wars movies had levity and han solo, but the previous expanded universe was overly credulous and often dour. Under lucasfilm president kathleen kennedys direction, the company for the first time ever has formed a story group to oversee and coordinate all star. From the press release regarding the new disney vs legends canon now, with an exciting future filled with new cinematic installments of star wars, all aspects of star wars storytelling moving forward will be connected. Lamenting the death of the star wars expanded universe. Lift your spirits with funny jokes, trending memes, entertaining gifs, inspiring stories, viral videos, and so much more.
May 07, 2014 star wars expanded universe no longer canon. Star wars expanded universe no longer canon the mary sue. Mar 02, 2020 one of the biggest topics of speculation in the runup to the new star wars movie is how it will fit in with the preexisting expanded universe. Understanding the star wars universe will be easier than ever now since all of it is technically canon.
The best books from the old star wars expanded universe. Most works produced after april 25, 2014, are part of the official canon as defined by lucasfilm, although a handful of legends media has been released after that date. New movies and other stories arent based on these books, and will sometimes contradict them. These books are part of the original star wars expanded universe, and follow an internally consistent timeline. Apr 25, 2014 regarding the status of the expanded universe canon in relation to the official canon established by the films. However, the real start to the eu came when timothy zahn wrote heir to the empire, the first book in the thrawn trilogy. Star trek gave up on its 24th century setting years ago, but that hasnt stopped the star trek tiein books from continuing telling the story of, for example, deep space nine long after the tv. Star wars just nuked its entire expanded universe this may sound like a pretty brutal decision, but it was unavoidable. I personally liked the expanded universe, and wished that disney would have used plot ideas from the expanded universe for episode vii. See more ideas about star wars, star wars rpg and star wars characters. Dark force rising by timothy zahn, heir to the empire by timothy zahn, the last command by timothy zahn, sh. I dont know that much about eu but it sucks you fans didnt get what you deserved after supporting the bookscomics for so long. I think the issue is they licensed the eu books, people became invested in the stories and.
As a result, the company made a swift and decisive move that guts what star wars meant for many fans. But the press release announcing the decision is an iron fist in a velvet glovethe corporate parent cracking down on. The old expanded universe eu now known as legends encompassed all of the officially licensed stories from the star wars universe. Lucasfilm unveils new plans for star wars expanded universe. This spinoff material is licensed and moderated by lucasfilm, though during his involvement with the franchise george lucas reserved the right to both draw from and contradict it in his own works. The mandalorians were a clanbased ethnic group that comprised members from multiple species all bound by a common culture, creed and code. Disney has signalled a fresh start for its star wars trilogy by officially ruling out storylines borrowed from the scores of expanded universe eu novels in book shops fans of the books.
Disneys secret war against star wars expanded universe. The star wars expanded universe is dumb and should be. Lords of the sith is a bit like a buddy road movie, except that the buddies are evil emperor palpatine and his equally nasty sidekick, darth vader. The expanded universe has been a part of star wars for almost as long as the movies have, starting with alan dean fosters novel splinter of the minds eye, which was published in 1978 and was. New canon the newly standardized star wars canon includes all the movie episodes, the clone wars and rebels tv shows, and new books since. Anakin skywalker also comes with a lightsaber accessory.
Episode i the phantom menace hits the big screen in 3d on february 10, 2012 find out everything there is to know about the characters, weapons, starships, droids, and creatures from star wars. One of the biggest topics of speculation in the runup to the new star wars movie is how it will fit in with the preexisting expanded universe. In april 2014 lucasfilm and disney publishing stated that the existing. Originally conceived of as a loose trilogy featuring the principle heroes of the star wars films, one of the books, kevin hearnes heir to the jedi, is actually in the new canon. See this article in wookieepedia for how it all works. Ever wanted a straight up gritty war book in the star wars universe. The companys focus would be shifted towards a restructured star wars canon based on new material. New timelineapproved star wars cartoons, comic books, and video games began appearing last fall, as well as seven adult books. What can the old star wars expanded universe give to the new. In april 2014, lucasfilm rebranded the expanded universe material as star wars legends and declared it noncanon to the franchise. They originated on the planet mandalore in the galaxys outer rim territories and had a particularly important role in galactic history as legendary warriors against the jedi. Real reason lucasfilm abandoned the star wars expanded universe. Its called the expanded universe and its all canon.
For more than two decades, star wars further explored that famous galaxy far, far away outside of the movies through the expanded universe, a. Episode i the phantom menace with thirtytwo brand new pages and many more fully updated pages featuring stunning images with a new fresh look, star wars. Apr 28, 2014 disney has signalled a fresh start for its star wars trilogy by officially ruling out storylines borrowed from the scores of expanded universe eu novels in book shops fans of the books. Star wars canon timeline in the style of legends novels imgur. It was a bitter pill to swallow for timothy zahn, who was best known for. The first book in the thrawn trilogy, heir to the empire was written in 1991. On april 25th, 2014, it was announced that the expanded universe of star wars is no longer considered canon. Did george lucas dislike star wars expanded universe.
The films, novelizations, comic books, newspaper comic strips, radio dramas, and spinoff novels were produced, but no standards of canon were set by george lucas or lucasfilm. Star wars films, books and comics, and where they fit in the official new disney canon. I decided to get back into the eu last month and i think i might have gone a little. Many star wars fans were upset when disney canned the expanded universe upon taking over control of lucasfilm. And in the wake of the zahn books come more and more in the new republic era. The clone wars and star wars rebels, any star wars story told outside the official six movies was now considered non canon. Kid, i used to read books about the extended universe.
Star wars just nuked its entire expanded universe the. This page compiles some canon star wars expanded universe short stories that are available to read online. The original expanded content, derived from anything outside of the 6 movies, such as tv shows, comics, novels, games, etc. Feb 09, 2016 for more than two decades, star wars further explored that famous galaxy far, far away outside of the movies through the expanded universe, a. Delve into the history of the sinister count dooku in this audio original set in a galaxy far far away. Star wars is an american epic spaceopera media franchise, centered on a film series. Nov 18, 2016 this list of the top 15 non canon star wars stories includes books that examine sith mythology, jedi training, ancient worlds and the murderous rampage of darth vader. Since then, disney has set about creating its own expanded universe. Written by the same author that wrote the original thrawn legends.
Solo is bringing back hans expanded universe origin story. This guide will cover both canon and legends material. It wasnt the rebranding itself that caused a fuss, but rather the news that the former eu would no longer be considered canon. This policy has been further refined and fleshed out over the years. If youre new, and want to learn more about the expanded universe, you can find a few links in the sidebar that may be helpful. New timelineapproved star wars cartoons, comic books, and video games. The clone wars television series and film, and part i of the short story blade squadron. When the star wars saga began, there was no formal organization of canon. Jan 29, 2018 many star wars fans were upset when disney canned the expanded universe upon taking over control of lucasfilm.
Why disney blew up more than 30 years of star wars canon. From their homeworld, mandalorians had flourished across mandalorian space and. Updated guide to new canon star wars books december. Lucasfilm later rebranded the expanded universe as star wars legends and declared it noncanonical to the franchise. A major sticking point for longtime star wars fans when disney purchased lucasfilm has been the decision for the company to abandon the expanded. That being said i prefer legends material for a number of reasons. What can the old star wars expanded universe give to the. Simple star wars book list timeline of star wars novels.
A red saber, unsheathed in the an unexpected offer threatens the bond between quigon jinn and obiwan kenobi as the two jedi. Apr 25, 2014 for those unfamiliar with the term, the expanded universe is the official designation for all star wars material that has not been produced directly by lucasfilm, whether it be comic books, novels. I think this series had an impact on the current star wars canon as far as. All the official canon star wars content since the disney acquisition. Sep 28, 2016 the star wars movies had levity and han solo, but the previous expanded universe was overly credulous and often dour. Some star wars comics worth reading and some that arent imgur. Meanwhile, the expanded universe is no longer considered canon and was retermed as the legends brand. This body of work represents the original star wars expanded universe, which was rebranded as star wars legends and declared noncanon to the franchise in april 2014. Star wars really is the poster child for how this trope works.
So, you want to get into the star wars expanded universe. Such derivative works have been produced concurrently with, between, and after the original, prequel, and sequel trilogies, as. Discover the magic of the internet at imgur, a community powered entertainment destination. The star wars website also details the role of canon, expanded universe or eu sources, and how they fit into overall star wars continuity. Popular star wars expanded universe books goodreads. 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 viiix will not tell the same story told in the postreturn of the jedi expanded universe. New to star wars books and dont know where to start. Lucasfilm unveils new plans for star wars expanded. It removed the entirety of the expanded universe from canon.
The force awakens instead of using plot ideas from episode iv. The only things remaining were the movies, the clone wars tv series and a few scraps that were recently left over. An explanation of the origin of canon and how i feel about the legends banner. Dec 02, 2019 three books, four major villains of the star wars universe if your tastes run to the dark side. At the same time, the company announced that, other than star wars. I kid you not, a lightwhip is a canon thing that exists magical memes and gifs that only a true. The star wars expanded universe is dumb and should be forgotten. May 26, 2014 an explanation of the origin of canon and how i feel about the legends banner. Jul 30, 2014 as a result, the only canon stories that exist as fact in the star wars universe are the films, the clone wars animated series, the upcoming star wars rebels series, and future novels. In other words, in what disney now calls legends, here are the best non canon stories we wish were still part of the continuity. Disney has been engaged in a secret war against the star wars expanded universe in order to sell more books, comics and toys. Nov 18, 2015 understanding the star wars universe will be easier than ever now since all of it is technically canon.
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