![\"\"](\"https:\/\/digitalwriting.cornellcollege.edu\/cliffhanger\/wp-content\/uploads\/6\/2023\/10\/l-1024x536.jpeg\")
Before I started reading the Expanded Universe (Legends)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLike any Star Wars fan, I started with the movies I watched the prequels before the original trilogy. That was because I was a wee lad who did not know much about Star Wars so I thought that came out in order. Eventually, I found out and corrected my mistake by watching them in chronological order. I was captivated, so much so that I went and wrote fanfiction with Luke as Han Skywalker and Han as Luke solo and I submitted it to a juvenile writer\u2019s competition. Safe to say now that I did not win (I haven\u2019t heard back from them in 10 years). It sparked something in me, I thought to myself wow if I can write what I deemed a masterpiece then other people must be at least half decent at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/digitalwriting.cornellcollege.edu\/cliffhanger\/wp-content\/uploads\/6\/2023\/10\/m-1024x538.jpeg\")
Lots of old drawings were used for the cover of these books. Star Wars<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nI remembered the used bookstore that me and my dad would go to every now and then. Seeing these thick musty old books that somebody had probably turned in for bookstore credit last century. They had the Star Wars logo followed by some strange titles: The Corellian Trilogy, Thrawn Trilogy, or X-wing Trilogy. I thought it might be time to give them a shot.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
A trip to the past<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I never really liked to read when I was in school, always reading the bare minimum (books with lots of pictures). I don\u2019t remember the exact book that made me fall in love with reading but I know that Star Wars had captured my imagination. The Expanded Universe (EU) breathed life into Star Wars during a time when all hope seemed lost. It brought life and joy to the lives of many who thought Star Wars was at an end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A light for \u201cThe Dark Times\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTo understand the profound significance of the expanded universe on the franchise, we need to go back to the late 80s. Shortly after Return of The Jedi (the final film) was released, George Lucas was going through it. He just got a divorce and lost a bunch of money, so he decided to pull the plug on Star Wars as a whole. This meant no more Star Wars content was going to be produced (not even a terrible holiday spinoff). Fans were devastated and they feared the worst, the end of Star Wars. Luckily for them though, authors were within their ranks, writers who were willing to carry the torch<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/digitalwriting.cornellcollege.edu\/cliffhanger\/wp-content\/uploads\/6\/2023\/10\/mm-1024x758.jpeg\")
These aren’t even half of all the books Expanded Universe. Star Wars<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThey expanded upon George Lucas\u2019s original idea taking the story places that were only mentioned briefly. All the while introducing and developing new and old characters, giving them the proper backstory they deserved. The books spread like wildfire and fans dove deeper into the vast universe and its characters. The authors weren’t the only ones surprised with the popularity of the Expanded Universe, old George himself saw the full extent of the fandom he had created. It may have even inspired<\/a> him to work on Star Wars once again. These books would keep the fire going through the hard years before the next extension(s) of Star Wars.<\/p>\n\n\n\nInto the future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFast forward to 2015, when The Force Awakens is in theaters. Like any Star Wars fan, I was excited to hear a new trilogy was coming out. I remember begging my parents to take me to see it, I had been waiting for as long as I was a fan. As I witnessed the first scenes from The Force Awakens, I was reminded of the prequels and the original trilogy before that (I did watch the prequels before the original though).<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/digitalwriting.cornellcollege.edu\/cliffhanger\/wp-content\/uploads\/6\/2023\/10\/Screen-Shot-2023-10-18-at-2.05.51-AM.png\")
The Force Awakens is more like the snores awaken. J.K. I’ve come to accept the movie as fanservice. Star Wars<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nI saw their intention of working with the same concepts that made the original trilogy. They featured character archetypes reminiscent of the original trilogy, with Rey taking on the role of the hopeful young hero, Kylo Ren as the conflicted antagonist, and Finn as the charismatic rogue. The emphasis on lineage as the reason for characters’ decisions (Skywalker vs. Palpatine). The struggle between good and evil where the conflicted antagonist gets redeemed for his misdeeds. Whether they meant to mimic their success or to pay homage to the original trilogy is up for debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rest of the films: A mishmash of old and new<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThey burned as many bridges as they built, by killing almost all the main characters from the original trilogy. The new characters we have left to cling to feel a bit undercooked, development-wise. Having different directors for each movie, meant they were bringing their unique style and approach. Which contributed to a prevailing sense of inconsistency and a lack of a unified creative vision for character development and storytelling. The lack of coordination between the directors lead to differing interpretations of plot threads and characters (most notably Luke). This made character arcs and motivations not always align seamlessly across the three films.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An attempt to set itself apart from what has come to be expected from Star Wars was a bold move. One that polarized and caused a stir within the fanbase that is still heard to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/digitalwriting.cornellcollege.edu\/cliffhanger\/wp-content\/uploads\/6\/2023\/10\/mmm-1024x512.png\")
Phew, that was an experience for sure. You might even call it a Sweetbitter<\/a> one. Star Wars<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Expanded Universe: From hopeful upstarts <\/strong>with little experience to disgruntled old men and their qualms with the universe.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen I finished the movies, I thought \u201cIt\u2019s over\u201d. After an experience that felt like the pirate ship ride at Six Flags (the back-and-forth between creative differences), I also thought:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s next? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s going to happen?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are there going to be any more?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These were the same thoughts that inspired people in the 80\u2019s and 90\u2019s to write. Adding to the vast yet small universe that is Star Wars when The Dark Times had descended upon them. That won\u2019t be an issue this time since Star Wars is owned by one of the biggest media conglomerates, Disney. They will keep milking the Star Wars Bantha until there is no longer an incentive to do so. This is great news for the fans, who will get more new content than their pretty little hearts can handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The true champion of Star Wars: the Expanded Universe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Expanded Universe gave fans more of the universe they had come to love, which was especially important during the period when no Star Wars content was being produced. The books introduced and developed both new and old characters, taking the story places that were only briefly mentioned in the original movies. Fans were able to dive deeper into the vast universe and its characters, and the authors of the Expanded Universe were able to give these characters the proper treatment they deserved. These books were written by people who are fans themselves, of course they were passionate about what they put out. Naturally, the fans could tell that when they learned about Han Solo\u2019s favorite dish or Luke\u2019s taste in redheads (Mara and Luke are my OTP), they rejoiced in the small details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/digitalwriting.cornellcollege.edu\/cliffhanger\/wp-content\/uploads\/6\/2023\/10\/mmmm.jpg\")
A great trilogy focused on Han’s home planet of Corellia. Star Wars<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOne of the things I really enjoyed about the Expanded Universe was the way that depicted the original trilogy\u2019s heroes as human (with their human struggles). Right after the Final battle against the empire, we get to see Luke fighting boredom and his heart’s feelings (love). Han struggles to find some common ground in the newfound relationship with Leia. The new republic allies itself with the empire (only temporarily early) to fight off a greater evil. These are just the events of one book (Truce at Bakura, I recommend it).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The real villain behind Star Wars: The Canon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBehind these thoughtful stories lay a bigger issue that hadn\u2019t crossed fan’s minds or come to their attention until it was too late. With all the media (comic books, novels, board games, etc.) being produced, it couldn\u2019t possibly all be true (Canon) without contradicting or blowing out of proportion what Daddy Lucas had originally established (I mean a single Sith using the force to move a star destroyer sounds a bit far fetched to me now). The authors were working independently from Lucas. They would have their manuscripts looked at, but the Boss gave free rein when it came to the author’s creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/digitalwriting.cornellcollege.edu\/cliffhanger\/wp-content\/uploads\/6\/2023\/10\/Screen-Shot-2023-10-18-at-2.27.08-AM.png\")
All the video games before Star Wars was acquired by Disney aren’t canon. Star Wars<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis was the crux of the Expanded Universe; anything was possible but none of it was Canon. When Star Wars became Disney\u2019s property, the EU became Legends, it put the final nail in the EU\u2019s coffin. George Lucas, the people working at Lucasfilm, and the authors themselves knew it. Some fans held out hope the sequels would include the EU and ultimately that hope was squashed\u2026 but not entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A new hope\u2026ful Canon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAny hardcore fan of the EU paying attention to recent events can tell you about the impact of the expanded universe on Star Wars as a whole. While most of its content is Legends, some characters and concepts have made their way into the official Canon. For example, characters like Thrawn and Ahsoka Tano, who originated in the Expanded Universe, became canon through official Star Wars content like TV series and novels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remembered the used bookstore that me and my dad would go to every now and then. Seeing these thick musty old books that somebody had probably turned in for bookstore credit last century. They had the Star Wars logo followed by some strange titles: The Corellian Trilogy, Thrawn Trilogy, or X-wing Trilogy. I thought it might be time to give them a shot.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
A trip to the past<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I never really liked to read when I was in school, always reading the bare minimum (books with lots of pictures). I don\u2019t remember the exact book that made me fall in love with reading but I know that Star Wars had captured my imagination. The Expanded Universe (EU) breathed life into Star Wars during a time when all hope seemed lost. It brought life and joy to the lives of many who thought Star Wars was at an end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A light for \u201cThe Dark Times\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTo understand the profound significance of the expanded universe on the franchise, we need to go back to the late 80s. Shortly after Return of The Jedi (the final film) was released, George Lucas was going through it. He just got a divorce and lost a bunch of money, so he decided to pull the plug on Star Wars as a whole. This meant no more Star Wars content was going to be produced (not even a terrible holiday spinoff). Fans were devastated and they feared the worst, the end of Star Wars. Luckily for them though, authors were within their ranks, writers who were willing to carry the torch<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThese aren’t even half of all the books Expanded Universe. Star Wars<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThey expanded upon George Lucas\u2019s original idea taking the story places that were only mentioned briefly. All the while introducing and developing new and old characters, giving them the proper backstory they deserved. The books spread like wildfire and fans dove deeper into the vast universe and its characters. The authors weren’t the only ones surprised with the popularity of the Expanded Universe, old George himself saw the full extent of the fandom he had created. It may have even inspired<\/a> him to work on Star Wars once again. These books would keep the fire going through the hard years before the next extension(s) of Star Wars.<\/p>\n\n\n\nInto the future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFast forward to 2015, when The Force Awakens is in theaters. Like any Star Wars fan, I was excited to hear a new trilogy was coming out. I remember begging my parents to take me to see it, I had been waiting for as long as I was a fan. As I witnessed the first scenes from The Force Awakens, I was reminded of the prequels and the original trilogy before that (I did watch the prequels before the original though).<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Force Awakens is more like the snores awaken. J.K. I’ve come to accept the movie as fanservice. Star Wars<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nI saw their intention of working with the same concepts that made the original trilogy. They featured character archetypes reminiscent of the original trilogy, with Rey taking on the role of the hopeful young hero, Kylo Ren as the conflicted antagonist, and Finn as the charismatic rogue. The emphasis on lineage as the reason for characters’ decisions (Skywalker vs. Palpatine). The struggle between good and evil where the conflicted antagonist gets redeemed for his misdeeds. Whether they meant to mimic their success or to pay homage to the original trilogy is up for debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rest of the films: A mishmash of old and new<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThey burned as many bridges as they built, by killing almost all the main characters from the original trilogy. The new characters we have left to cling to feel a bit undercooked, development-wise. Having different directors for each movie, meant they were bringing their unique style and approach. Which contributed to a prevailing sense of inconsistency and a lack of a unified creative vision for character development and storytelling. The lack of coordination between the directors lead to differing interpretations of plot threads and characters (most notably Luke). This made character arcs and motivations not always align seamlessly across the three films.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An attempt to set itself apart from what has come to be expected from Star Wars was a bold move. One that polarized and caused a stir within the fanbase that is still heard to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPhew, that was an experience for sure. You might even call it a Sweetbitter<\/a> one. Star Wars<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Expanded Universe: From hopeful upstarts <\/strong>with little experience to disgruntled old men and their qualms with the universe.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen I finished the movies, I thought \u201cIt\u2019s over\u201d. After an experience that felt like the pirate ship ride at Six Flags (the back-and-forth between creative differences), I also thought:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s next? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s going to happen?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are there going to be any more?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These were the same thoughts that inspired people in the 80\u2019s and 90\u2019s to write. Adding to the vast yet small universe that is Star Wars when The Dark Times had descended upon them. That won\u2019t be an issue this time since Star Wars is owned by one of the biggest media conglomerates, Disney. They will keep milking the Star Wars Bantha until there is no longer an incentive to do so. This is great news for the fans, who will get more new content than their pretty little hearts can handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The true champion of Star Wars: the Expanded Universe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Expanded Universe gave fans more of the universe they had come to love, which was especially important during the period when no Star Wars content was being produced. The books introduced and developed both new and old characters, taking the story places that were only briefly mentioned in the original movies. Fans were able to dive deeper into the vast universe and its characters, and the authors of the Expanded Universe were able to give these characters the proper treatment they deserved. These books were written by people who are fans themselves, of course they were passionate about what they put out. Naturally, the fans could tell that when they learned about Han Solo\u2019s favorite dish or Luke\u2019s taste in redheads (Mara and Luke are my OTP), they rejoiced in the small details.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA great trilogy focused on Han’s home planet of Corellia. Star Wars<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOne of the things I really enjoyed about the Expanded Universe was the way that depicted the original trilogy\u2019s heroes as human (with their human struggles). Right after the Final battle against the empire, we get to see Luke fighting boredom and his heart’s feelings (love). Han struggles to find some common ground in the newfound relationship with Leia. The new republic allies itself with the empire (only temporarily early) to fight off a greater evil. These are just the events of one book (Truce at Bakura, I recommend it).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The real villain behind Star Wars: The Canon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBehind these thoughtful stories lay a bigger issue that hadn\u2019t crossed fan’s minds or come to their attention until it was too late. With all the media (comic books, novels, board games, etc.) being produced, it couldn\u2019t possibly all be true (Canon) without contradicting or blowing out of proportion what Daddy Lucas had originally established (I mean a single Sith using the force to move a star destroyer sounds a bit far fetched to me now). The authors were working independently from Lucas. They would have their manuscripts looked at, but the Boss gave free rein when it came to the author’s creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAll the video games before Star Wars was acquired by Disney aren’t canon. Star Wars<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis was the crux of the Expanded Universe; anything was possible but none of it was Canon. When Star Wars became Disney\u2019s property, the EU became Legends, it put the final nail in the EU\u2019s coffin. George Lucas, the people working at Lucasfilm, and the authors themselves knew it. Some fans held out hope the sequels would include the EU and ultimately that hope was squashed\u2026 but not entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A new hope\u2026ful Canon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAny hardcore fan of the EU paying attention to recent events can tell you about the impact of the expanded universe on Star Wars as a whole. While most of its content is Legends, some characters and concepts have made their way into the official Canon. For example, characters like Thrawn and Ahsoka Tano, who originated in the Expanded Universe, became canon through official Star Wars content like TV series and novels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They expanded upon George Lucas\u2019s original idea taking the story places that were only mentioned briefly. All the while introducing and developing new and old characters, giving them the proper backstory they deserved. The books spread like wildfire and fans dove deeper into the vast universe and its characters. The authors weren’t the only ones surprised with the popularity of the Expanded Universe, old George himself saw the full extent of the fandom he had created. It may have even inspired<\/a> him to work on Star Wars once again. These books would keep the fire going through the hard years before the next extension(s) of Star Wars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fast forward to 2015, when The Force Awakens is in theaters. Like any Star Wars fan, I was excited to hear a new trilogy was coming out. I remember begging my parents to take me to see it, I had been waiting for as long as I was a fan. As I witnessed the first scenes from The Force Awakens, I was reminded of the prequels and the original trilogy before that (I did watch the prequels before the original though).<\/p>\n\n\n\n I saw their intention of working with the same concepts that made the original trilogy. They featured character archetypes reminiscent of the original trilogy, with Rey taking on the role of the hopeful young hero, Kylo Ren as the conflicted antagonist, and Finn as the charismatic rogue. The emphasis on lineage as the reason for characters’ decisions (Skywalker vs. Palpatine). The struggle between good and evil where the conflicted antagonist gets redeemed for his misdeeds. Whether they meant to mimic their success or to pay homage to the original trilogy is up for debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They burned as many bridges as they built, by killing almost all the main characters from the original trilogy. The new characters we have left to cling to feel a bit undercooked, development-wise. Having different directors for each movie, meant they were bringing their unique style and approach. Which contributed to a prevailing sense of inconsistency and a lack of a unified creative vision for character development and storytelling. The lack of coordination between the directors lead to differing interpretations of plot threads and characters (most notably Luke). This made character arcs and motivations not always align seamlessly across the three films.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An attempt to set itself apart from what has come to be expected from Star Wars was a bold move. One that polarized and caused a stir within the fanbase that is still heard to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I finished the movies, I thought \u201cIt\u2019s over\u201d. After an experience that felt like the pirate ship ride at Six Flags (the back-and-forth between creative differences), I also thought:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s next? <\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s going to happen?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are there going to be any more?<\/p>\n\n\n\n These were the same thoughts that inspired people in the 80\u2019s and 90\u2019s to write. Adding to the vast yet small universe that is Star Wars when The Dark Times had descended upon them. That won\u2019t be an issue this time since Star Wars is owned by one of the biggest media conglomerates, Disney. They will keep milking the Star Wars Bantha until there is no longer an incentive to do so. This is great news for the fans, who will get more new content than their pretty little hearts can handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Expanded Universe gave fans more of the universe they had come to love, which was especially important during the period when no Star Wars content was being produced. The books introduced and developed both new and old characters, taking the story places that were only briefly mentioned in the original movies. Fans were able to dive deeper into the vast universe and its characters, and the authors of the Expanded Universe were able to give these characters the proper treatment they deserved. These books were written by people who are fans themselves, of course they were passionate about what they put out. Naturally, the fans could tell that when they learned about Han Solo\u2019s favorite dish or Luke\u2019s taste in redheads (Mara and Luke are my OTP), they rejoiced in the small details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the things I really enjoyed about the Expanded Universe was the way that depicted the original trilogy\u2019s heroes as human (with their human struggles). Right after the Final battle against the empire, we get to see Luke fighting boredom and his heart’s feelings (love). Han struggles to find some common ground in the newfound relationship with Leia. The new republic allies itself with the empire (only temporarily early) to fight off a greater evil. These are just the events of one book (Truce at Bakura, I recommend it).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Behind these thoughtful stories lay a bigger issue that hadn\u2019t crossed fan’s minds or come to their attention until it was too late. With all the media (comic books, novels, board games, etc.) being produced, it couldn\u2019t possibly all be true (Canon) without contradicting or blowing out of proportion what Daddy Lucas had originally established (I mean a single Sith using the force to move a star destroyer sounds a bit far fetched to me now). The authors were working independently from Lucas. They would have their manuscripts looked at, but the Boss gave free rein when it came to the author’s creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This was the crux of the Expanded Universe; anything was possible but none of it was Canon. When Star Wars became Disney\u2019s property, the EU became Legends, it put the final nail in the EU\u2019s coffin. George Lucas, the people working at Lucasfilm, and the authors themselves knew it. Some fans held out hope the sequels would include the EU and ultimately that hope was squashed\u2026 but not entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any hardcore fan of the EU paying attention to recent events can tell you about the impact of the expanded universe on Star Wars as a whole. While most of its content is Legends, some characters and concepts have made their way into the official Canon. For example, characters like Thrawn and Ahsoka Tano, who originated in the Expanded Universe, became canon through official Star Wars content like TV series and novels.<\/p>\n\n\n\nInto the future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The rest of the films: A mishmash of old and new<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Expanded Universe: From hopeful upstarts <\/strong>with little experience to disgruntled old men and their qualms with the universe.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The true champion of Star Wars: the Expanded Universe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The real villain behind Star Wars: The Canon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A new hope\u2026ful Canon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/digitalwriting.cornellcollege.edu\/cliffhanger\/wp-content\/uploads\/6\/2023\/10\/mmmmmmmm-1024x578.jpeg\")