The creation of stories that introduced radical changes in the continuity, like the force unleashed video game which introduced darth vader s secret apprentice, required lucass approval, and he spent hours explaining the. Star wars just nuked its entire expanded universe the. Dec 01, 2018 also, the fact that they are aware of these fan sites and clickbate articles attacking the expanded universe and perpetuating these myths and rumors which, if you were paying attention, i. It is a chronology of all the events that have ever occurred in the star wars universe, in all the films, books, cdroms, nintendo games, comic books, and roleplaying guides, and each medium is seamlessly coordinated with the others. Chewbacca, in which han is an imperial officer who spared and saved chewies life but that version of events is also now discarded from canon. Simple star wars book list timeline of star wars novels. This is a list of novels considered canon in the new continuity of star wars. This body of work represents the original star wars expanded universe, which was rebranded as star wars legends and declared non canon to the franchise in april 2014. Disney takes a chainsaw to the star wars expanded universe and good riddance, because almost all of it is crap. 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 truth about the expanded universe and the expanded. The best books from the old star wars expanded universe. Welcome to the star wars expanded universe subreddit. Dec 02, 2019 three books, four major villains of the star wars universe if your tastes run to the dark side. Oct 02, 2015 the expanded universe is a collection of star wars fiction compiled over the last 30 years. 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 expanded universe book collection youtube. A definitive legends clone wars timeline was never established by lucasfilm. The expanded universe, or eu, is the moniker for the entire body of work that comprises the stories set in the star wars universe ranging from novels, comics, cartoons, short stories, young adult books, television shows, animated features and more. 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. These books are considered history and the material that occurs in these stories is officially part of the star wars timeline. Star wars is an incredibly expansive universe, one of the largest in all of entertainment media. The star wars expanded universe is dumb and should be. Aug 08, 2019 this includes the six star wars episodes, and the many hours of content he developed and produced in star wars. Disney takes a chainsaw to the star wars expanded universe. As a result, the company made a swift and decisive move that guts what star wars meant for many fans.
Disneys secret war against star wars expanded universe. The book releases september 30 and is available for pre. Expanded universe fiction includes material from books, comics, tv specials and series, radio dramas. When disney acquired lucasfilm, all the books that were previously written and considered the expanded universe books set during, between, and after the original and subsequent filmswere declared non canon and rebranded as legends. Most of the material from the expanded universe including books, comics, and video games. Taking place over 19 books, three short stories, and three online novellas, the huge event saw multiple characters from the main star wars canon and expanded universe teaming up to fight the invaders.
The star wars expanded universe is an expanded universe set in the star wars franchise. Now that we know expanded universe characters might finally see their way into the hallowed halls of canon, fans will be debating which of their favorite books, comics, and games should end up on. There are thousands of worlds, characters, and creatures to learn about that an entire lifetime wouldnt be enough. It is derived from and includes most official star wars books. Gone are the days where new storylines are floated in thousandpage novelsappendices.
The expanded universe was rebranded as star wars legends, but it was far from forgotten by its fans or the authors of the new canon novels. The force awakens and for several of the old expanded universe now legends star wars books follow. In april 2014, lucasfilm rebranded the expanded universe material as star wars legends and declared it noncanon to the franchise. As of april 25, 2014, the only previously published materials that are considered canon are the six star wars films and the star wars.
Notable eu works include the thrawn trilogy by timothy zahn, the new. Disney has been engaged in a secret war against the star wars expanded universe in order to sell more books, comics and toys. This policy has been further refined and fleshed out over the years. Since then, disney has set about creating its own expanded universe. Expanded universe changes star wars wiki guide ign. The star wars website also details the role of canon, expanded universe or eu sources, and how they fit into overall star wars continuity. Nov 18, 2015 understanding the star wars universe will be easier than ever now since all of it is technically canon. In other words, in what disney now calls legends, here are the best non canon stories we wish were still part of the continuity. All the star wars books released after 2014, when disney started releasing books that fell into the official star wars universe. Star wars legends, formerly known as the expanded universe abbreviated. As of april 25, 2014, the only previously published materials that are considered canon are the six star wars films, the star wars. Tom dupree, editor for bantam spectra star wars books article from the new yorker, why the force is still.
The old expanded universe eu now known as legends encompassed all of the officially licensed stories from the star wars universe. 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. Mar 02, 2020 star wars just nuked its entire expanded universe. Episode i the phantom menace, lucasfilm has divided its titles by fictional era with symbols designating such. When disney traded the older expanded universe books now known as the legends continuity for a new canon in 2014, it opened up a host of new possibilities. The one reason the star wars expanded universe is no. Sep 06, 2017 major spoilers for the film star wars. The ten best star wars legends books heir to the empire by timothy zahn 1991 you would be hardpressed to find a fan of the star wars expanded universe who doesnt love timothy zahns novels. Though past elements of the expanded universe have been declared noncanon as a. Apr 25, 2014 chris taylor is the author of how star wars conquered the universe, the first complete history of the star wars franchise and its fandom.
As a result, lucasfilm made the decision to render all the eu non canon, branding it legends. The exact chronology of the events described in this article is currently unknown. The expanded universe underwent a continuity reboot on april 25th, 2014 after disneys acquisition of lucasfilm. 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. Dec 10, 2019 when disney traded the older expanded universe books now known as the legends continuity for a new canon in 2014, it opened up a host of new possibilities. It includes shows, novels, and comics that cover many stories in the star wars galaxy the expanded universe underwent a continuity reboot on april 25th, 2014 after disneys acquisition of lucasfilm. Dec 15, 2015 since then, disney has set about creating its own expanded universe. The other side of that, though, was the removal of the expanded universe from canon. When disney took over lucasfilm and star wars from george lucas in 2012, a lot of exciting times came for the star wars fandom with new films, as well as new books, comics, video games, and tv shows, all on the way. Understanding the star wars universe will be easier than ever now since all of it is technically canon. The story of star wars, for the kind of fan that wants to know everything, is much bigger than the movies, spanning several novels, comic book series. Disney decided that there would be a new, restructured canon. The legendary star wars expanded universe turns a new page, april 25th, 2014. When he created star wars, george lucas built a universe that sparked the imagination, and inspired others to create.
New canon the newly standardized star wars canon includes all the movie episodes, the clone wars and rebels tv shows, and new books since. Why disney blew up more than 30 years of star wars canon. Chewbacca and han solos first encounter was also detailed in the old expanded universe in the 2000 comic book star wars. The legendary star wars expanded universe turns a new page. Including all the star wars books released after 2014, when disney started releasing books that fell into the official star wars universe. Chris taylor is the author of how star wars conquered the universe, the first complete history of the star wars franchise and its fandom. The 10 best stories in the star wars expanded universe. Why star wars legends is better than disney canon and why you should give it a shot duration. The sheer scale and complexity of star wars expanded universe made it almost impossible to do anything with the franchise without introducing contradictions. New timelineapproved star wars cartoons, comic books, and video games began appearing last fall, as well as seven adult books.
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 legends, formerly known as the expanded universe abbreviated eu, encompasses every one of the licensed, fictional background stories of the star wars universe, outside of the original six star wars films produced by george lucas and certain other material such as star wars. 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. Everything from thrawn i like rebels and i like thrawn in rebels, as a disclaimer to the yuuzhan vong, from callista ming to caedus, zannah to abeloth. 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. The clone wars remained canon and became part of along. And in the wake of the zahn books come more and more in the new republic era. These books are part of the original star wars expanded universe, and. The clone wars television series and film, and part i of the short story blade squadron. Do you prefer the old star wars expanded universe or the. The newly standardized star wars canon includes all the movie. The expanded universe is a collection of star wars fiction compiled over the last 30 years. These stories are the immovable objects of star wars history, the characters and events to which all other tales must align. Also, the fact that they are aware of these fan sites and clickbate articles attacking the expanded universe and perpetuating these myths and rumors which, if you were paying attention, i.
It is not for comics or short stories in legends continuity. Meanwhile, the expanded universe is no longer considered canon and was retermed as the legends brand. For over 35 years, the expanded universe has enriched the star wars experience for fans seeking to continue the adventure beyond what is seen on the screen. We are primarily a source of discussion and news for anything involving the star wars expanded universe legends or story group canon. In a flash, literally decades of stories from its expanded universe were. Most of the material from the expanded universe including books, comics. The star wars expanded universe is dumb and should be forgotten. The clone wars remained canon and became part of along with serving as the basis the new star wars canon as result of being created by or directly involved with george lucas while. In april 2014 lucasfilm and disney publishing stated that the existing. New movies and other stories arent based on these books, and will sometimes contradict them. Star wars canon books in chronological order youtini. The eu began in 1978 with the release of splinter of the minds eye, and has spanned thousands of in universe years since then.
It removed the entirety of the expanded universe from canon. The expanded universe quotes databank star wars legends. The breadth of these original stories, all based on the world of george lucas. Do not read further if you dont want to be spoiled. He opened up that universe to be a creative space for other people to tell their own tales. 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. Its actual language is quite a bit softer, temporizing that the eu is not being discarded, just changed. Cavan scott, bolstered by a whole host of voice actors, delivers one of the most engaging, immersive stories in all of the expanded universe with dooku.
These books are part of the original star wars expanded universe, and follow an internally consistent timeline. Do you prefer the old star wars expanded universe or the new. The star wars expanded universe, called the eu for short, is the name used to denote the star wars books, comics, video games, and more that were part of the star wars canon prior to april 25, 2014. On april 25, 2014, lucasfilm officially revised and solidified the canon, stating that all previously released expanded universe works would be rebranded under the new star wars legends banner and considered non canon, in order to ensure a flowing timeline with the release of the star wars sequel trilogy. A complete guide to the new star wars canon before the force. These books are considered history and this material is officially part of the star wars timeline. The 20 best star wars books of all time canon and legends.
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