Star Wars in other media: Difference between revisions

With the exception of the CGI-animated [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|''The Clone Wars'' TV series]], non-film material produced prior to April 2014 was collectively known as the '''''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe''' ('''EU'''). Lucasfilm, now under Disney, later rebranded the Expanded Universe as '''''Star Wars Legends''''' and declared it [[Canon (fiction)|non-canonical]] to the franchise. Most [[#Disney acquisition and canon restructuring|works produced after April 25, 2014]] are part of the official canon as defined by Lucasfilm, although a handful of ''Legends'' media has still been released after said date.

The first ''Star Wars'' spinoff material was ''[[Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker]]'' (1976), the novelization of the 1977 film. Lucas later commissioned [[Alan Dean Foster]], who ghostwrote the novelization, to write a sequel, which resulted in ''[[Splinter of the Mind's Eye]]'' (1978). Lucas originally intended to use this as the basis for a potential low-budget sequel to ''Star Wars'', but when it became one of the most successful films of all time, Lucas decided to write his own story for the film sequel, ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' (1980).<ref name="fry">{{cite journal |last=Fry |first=Jason |title=Alan Dean Foster: Author of the ''Mind's Eye'' |journal=[[Star Wars Insider]] |issue=50 |date=July–August 2000}}</ref> While this was in production, Lucas approved the ''[[Star Wars Holiday Special]]'' (1978), with which he had limited involvement.

Running from April 1977 to May 1986,<ref name="GCDB">{{gcdb issue|id=31248|title=''Star Wars'' #1 (April 1977)|access-date=August 23, 2016}}</ref><ref name="CR142">{{cite journal|date=April 1977|title=''Star Wars''|journal=[[The Comic Reader]]|issue=142}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://marvel.com/comics/issue/53897/star_wars_1977_107|title=''Star Wars'' #107 (May 1986)|publisher=Marvel.com|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-date=June 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620065417/http://marvel.com/comics/issue/53897/star_wars_1977_107|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Star Wars (1977 comic book)|''Star Wars'' comic book series]] from [[Marvel Comics]] met with such strong sales that former Marvel editor-in-chief [[Jim Shooter]] credited it with saving Marvel financially in 1977 and 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jimshooter.com/2011/07/roy-thomas-saved-marvel.html|title=Roy Thomas Saved Marvel|last=Shooter|first=Jim|author-link=Jim Shooter|date=July 5, 2011|publisher=Jimshooter.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912134444/http://www.jimshooter.com/2011/07/roy-thomas-saved-marvel.html|archive-date=September 12, 2015|url-status=dead|quote=In the most conservative terms, it is inarguable that the success of the ''Star Wars'' comics was a significant factor in Marvel’s survival through a couple of very difficult years, 1977 and 1978. In my mind, the truth is stated in the title of this piece.}}</ref> The series became one of the industry's top selling titles in 1979 and 1980.<ref>{{Citation|last = Miller|first = John Jackson|author-link = John Jackson Miller|title = Gone but not forgotten: Marvel ''Star Wars'' series kept franchise fans guessing between films |newspaper = [[Comics Buyer's Guide]]|issue = 1216|page = 46|date = March 7, 1997|location= Iola, Wisconsin|quote= The industry's top seller? We don't have complete information from our Circulation Scavenger Hunt for the years 1979 and 1980, but a very strong case is building for ''Star Wars'' as the industry's top-selling comic book in 1979 and its second-place seller (behind ''Amazing Spider-Man'') in 1980.}}</ref> An adaptation of the third theatrical film, ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'', was released as a separate four-issue [[limited series (comics)|limited series]] (1983–1984).<ref>{{gcdb series|id= 2765|title= Star Wars: Return of the Jedi}}</ref>

Two novel trilogies with original storylines were written, ''[[The Han Solo Adventures]]'' by [[Brian Daley]] (1979–1980),<ref name="CG Han">{{cite web |url=http://theculturalgutter.com/science-fiction/a-long-time-ago.html |title=A Long Time Ago ... |date=December 25, 2014 |work=The Cultural Gutter |first=Keith |last=Allison |access-date=March 2, 2017 |archive-date=March 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303044755/http://theculturalgutter.com/science-fiction/a-long-time-ago.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and 1983's ''[[The Adventures of Lando Calrissian]]'' by [[L. Neil Smith]].<ref name="CG Lando">{{cite web |url=http://theculturalgutter.com/science-fiction/in-a-galaxy-far-far-away.html |title=... In a Galaxy Far, Far Away |date=January 22, 2015 |work=The Cultural Gutter |first=Keith |last=Allison |access-date=March 2, 2017 |archive-date=March 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302194554/http://theculturalgutter.com/science-fiction/in-a-galaxy-far-far-away.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Dark TimesNewbold-2013">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-in-the-uk-the-dark-times-1987-1991|title=''Star Wars'' in the UK: The Dark Times, 1987—1991|publisher=[[StarWars.com]]|first=Mark|last=Newbold|date=April 15, 2013|access-date=March 16, 2017|archive-date=March 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311093228/http://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-in-the-uk-the-dark-times-1987-1991|url-status=live}}</ref> Daley also wrote [[Star Wars (radio series)|radio dramatizations]] of the original trilogy, which aired in 1981, 1983, and 1996.

The first [[Star Wars video games|''Star Wars'' electronic game]] was released in 1979 by [[Kenner]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Kenner/SWBattleCommand.htm |title=Kenner ''Star Wars'' Battle Command |website=Handheld Games Museum |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=January 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123215906/http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Kenner/SWBattleCommand.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> followed by a handful of [[Atari]] and [[Parker Brothers]] video games in the early 1980s, mainly adaptations of film scenes.

Two spin-off television films focusing on the life of the [[Ewok]]s, introduced in ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'', aired in 1984 and 1985. The furry creatures were also the subject of [[Ewoks (TV series)|an American/Canadian animated television series]] produced by [[Nelvana]], which ran for two seasons between 1985 and 1986. A sister series, ''[[Star Wars: Droids|Droids]]'', features the further adventures of [[R2-D2]] and [[C-3PO]]. In 1985, Marvel Comics' [[Star Comics]] imprint published a bi-monthly ''Ewoks'' tie-in comic, which ran for two years, and in 1986, published an eight-issue ''Droids'' series.<ref name="SyfyWireDroids">{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/everything-youd-ever-want-to-know-about-star-wars-droids|title=Everything You'd Ever Want To Know About Star Wars: Droids|last=Greene|first=Jamie|website=[[Syfy Wire]]|date=January 18, 2018|access-date=January 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120050018/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/everything-youd-ever-want-to-know-about-star-wars-droids|archive-date=January 20, 2019|url-status=livedead }}</ref> The two series featured a crossover storyline.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars-holocron.net/comics/ewoks-10-the-demons-of-endor|title=Ewoks #10 – The Demons of Endor|website=Star Wars Holocron|date=February 21, 2012|access-date=November 11, 2018 |archive-date=November 11, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111173914/https://www.starwars-holocron.net/comics/ewoks-10-the-demons-of-endor}}</ref>

Following the series' 10th anniversary, the release of ''Star Wars'' spin-off media was largely halted. In 1987, the fan newsletter ''[[Bantha Tracks]]'' was absorbed by the official Lucasfilm magazine, which focused on the company's projects outside of ''Star Wars''.<ref name=":0Newbold-2013">{{Cite web|date=2013-04-15|title=Star Wars in the UK: The Dark Times, 1987—1991|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-in-the-uk-the-dark-times-1987-1991|access-date=2020-12-26|website=StarWars.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Some fans feared that the franchise had come to an end, and the period between 1987 and 1991 has been called the "Dark Times."<ref>{{Cite web|datename="Newbold-2013-04-15|title=Star Wars in the UK: The Dark Times, 1987—1991|url=https:"//www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-in-the-uk-the-dark-times-1987-1991|access-date=2020-12-26|website=StarWars.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

There were some bright spots in this era, however. In 1987, [[West End Games]] began publishing ''[[Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game]]'', and the subsequent ancillary [[role-playing game]] material such as sourcebooks, gamebooks, and adventure modules. These have been called "the first publications to expand greatly beyond what was known from the vintage era of the movies," and would serve as a resource for a number of franchise novelists.<ref name="RPG">{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/west-end-games-expanding-that-galaxy-far-far-away |title=West End Games: Expanding Thatthat Galaxy Far, Far AwayAway… |publisher=StarwarsStarWars.com |first=Tim |last=Veekhoven |date=October 30, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504080721/https://www.starwars.com/news/west-end-games-expanding-that-galaxy-far-far-away |archive-date=May 4, 2017 |access-date=February 27, 2017}}</ref>

The lack of new ''Star Wars'' material ended with the 1991 release of [[Timothy Zahn]]'s novel ''[[Heir to the Empire]]''.<ref>{{cite web |lastname="Newbold |first=Mark |title=''Star Wars'' in the UK: The Dark Times, 1987–1991 |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-in-the-uk-the-dark-times-1987-1991 |website=StarWars.com |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=April 15, 2013}}<"/ref> ''Heir to the Empire'', which reached #1 on the [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''The New York Times'' Best Seller list]],<ref name="NYT Heir">{{cite web |url=http://www.hawes.com/1991/1991-06-30.pdf |title=''The New York Times'' Best Seller List |publisher=Hawes.com Publications |date=June 30, 1991 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811223901/http://www.hawes.com/1991/1991-06-30.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> began what would become a large collection of works set before, between, and especially after the original films.<ref name="SW HeirStarWars.com-2014a">{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/heir-to-the-empire-critical-reaction |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714065516/http://www.starwars.com/news/heir-to-the-empire-critical-reaction |title=Critical Opinion: ''Heir to the Empire'' Reviews |publisher=StarWars.com |date=April 4, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=February 27, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> StarWars.com wrote in 2014 that the novel "jumpstarted a publishing program that endures to this day and formalized the Expanded Universe".<ref name="SW HeirStarWars.com-2014a"/> It introduced, among others, the popular characters [[Grand Admiral Thrawn]] and [[Mara Jade]], and was followed by the sequels ''[[Dark Force Rising]]'' (1992) and ''[[The Last Command (novel)|The Last Command]]'' (1993).<ref name="SW HeirStarWars.com-2014a"/><ref name="EW 2012">{{cite web|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/11/02/star-wars-sequels-timothy-zahn/|title=''Star Wars'' sequel author Timothy Zahn weighs in on new movie plans|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|first=Anthony|last=Breznican|date=November 2, 2012 |access-date=July 21, 2016|archive-date=May 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516110755/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/11/02/star-wars-sequels-timothy-zahn/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Thrawn trilogy|''Thrawn'' trilogy]] is widely credited with revitalizing the ''Star Wars'' franchise.<ref name="SW HeirStarWars.com-2014a"/><ref name="SW Outbound">{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/eu/lit/novel/f20060131/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060204162725/http://www.starwars.com/eu/lit/novel/f20060131/index.html |date=January 31, 2006 |archive-date=February 4, 2006 |title=Timothy Zahn: ''Outbound Flight'' Arrival |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=July 21, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="kaminskisecret3Kaminski">{{cite book |last=Kaminski |first=Michael |title=The Secret History of Star Wars |edition=3rd |pages=289–291}}</ref> In ''The Secret History of Star Wars'', Michael Kaminski suggests this renewed interest was a factor in Lucas's decision to create the [[Prequel trilogy (Star Wars)|prequel trilogy]].<ref name="kaminskisecret3Kaminski"/>

Around this same time, the comics license was transferred to [[Dark Horse Comics]], who launched a number of series set after the original film trilogy, including the popular ''[[Dark Empire]]'' sequence (1991–1995) by [[Tom Veitch]] and [[Cam Kennedy]].<ref name="Dark Horse">{{cite web |url=http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/11/29/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-131/ |title=Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #131 |first= Brian |last= Cronin |date=November 29, 2007 |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150426232903/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/11/29/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-131 |archive-date= April 26, 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2017}}</ref> The comic launched months after the first ''Thrawn'' novel and was a sequel to those novels; it notably resurrected the film characters [[Emperor Palpatine]] and [[Boba Fett]]. Zahn was critical of the concept of resurrecting Emperor Palpatine through cloned bodies, feeling it undermined and contradicted the meaning of the ending of ''Return of the Jedi''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/movies/2019/8/29/20837784/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-emperor-palpatine-alive-dark-empire|title=The Emperor Strikes Back|first=Ben|last=Lindbergh|date=August 29, 2019|website=The Ringer|access-date=August 29, 2019|archive-date=June 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602223252/https://www.theringer.com/movies/2019/8/29/20837784/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-emperor-palpatine-alive-dark-empire|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Jedi Prince series|''Jedi Prince'' series]] of young-reader novels, released between 1992 and 1993, depicts Luke, Leia, and Han about a year after ''Return of the Jedi''.<ref name=readers"Hidalgo-2012"/> ''[[The Truce at Bakura]]'' (1993) depicts the immediate aftermath of the aforementioned film.<ref name=readers"Hidalgo-2012">{{cite book |last=Hidalgo |first=Pablo |title=Star Wars: The Essential Reader's Companion |date=2012 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=9780345511195}}</ref> In 1993, Dark Horse published ''[[Tales of the Jedi (comics)|Tales of the Jedi]]'', expanding the fictional universe to the time of the [[Galactic Republic#Old Republic|Old Republic]], approximately 4,000 years before the films. TheLater, the series spawned many other productions, including books, further comics, and eventually the ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic|Knights of the Old Republic]]'' computer roleplaying games, which led to many new productions set during the Old Republic era, such as the Bane Trilogy and the Knights of the Old Republic comic line.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.starwars.com/holocron/31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115015117/http://blogs.starwars.com/holocron/31|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 15, 2006|title=The Current State of Continuity and Cross-Media Storytelling|first=Leland|last=Chee|date=October 27, 2006|website=starwars.com}}</ref>

{{quoteblockquote|Gospel, or canon as we refer to it, includes the screenplays, the films, the radio dramas and the novelizations. These works spin out of George Lucas' original stories, the rest are written by other writers. However, between us, we've read everything, and much of it is taken into account in the overall continuity. The entire catalog of published works comprises a vast history—with many off-shoots, variations and tangents—like any other well-developed mythology.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Star Wars Insider |issue=23 |date=Fall 1994 |title=''Star Wars'' Publications Timeline |first1=Allan |last1=Kausch |first2=Sue |last2=Rostoni}}</ref>}}

The 1996 [[Steve Perry (author)|Steve Perry]] novel ''[[Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (novel)|Shadows of the Empire]]'', set in the as-yet-unexplored time period between ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi'', was part of a multimedia campaign that also included a comic book series and [[Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (video game)|video game]].<ref name="Verge">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/12/2/3715592/the-classics-star-wars-shadows-of-the-empire |title=The Classics: ''Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire'' |work=[[The Verge]] |first=Andrew |last=Webster |date=December 2, 2012 |access-date=March 2, 2017 |archive-date=March 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303122524/http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/2/3715592/the-classics-star-wars-shadows-of-the-empire |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Shadows">{{cite web |url=http://www.rebelscum.com/CH-SOTE.asp |title=''Shadows of the Empire'' Checklist |publisher=Rebelscum.com |access-date=March 2, 2017 |archive-date=March 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303124102/http://www.rebelscum.com/CH-SOTE.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> The multimedia project was largely meant to reinvigorate the franchise ahead of the prequel trilogy, along with Lucas's 1997 [[Changes in Star Wars re-releases|Special Editions]] of the original trilogy.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gonzales |first=Dave |title=The Greatest 'Star Wars' Spinoff Movie Was Everything but a Movie |url=https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/shadows-of-the-empire-star-wars-spinoff-rogue-one |website=[[Thrillist]] |access-date=March 24, 2019 |date=December 22, 2016 |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606005506/https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/shadows-of-the-empire-star-wars-spinoff-rogue-one |url-status=live }}</ref><!--Lucasfilm artist Doug Chiang created the design later used for Dash Rendar's Outrider as a background ship for the Special Edition of A New Hope. As the design first appeared in 1996's Shadows of the Empire multimedia project, the ship's subsequent appearance in the film (which was established retroactively by ancillary material) is often erroneously cited as an example of George Lucas incorporating EU elements into his films (cf. Coruscant and Aayla Secura).--> Lucas incorporated elements of the Expanded Universe into the Special Editions; for example, [[Coruscant]], the New Republic capital planet created by Zahn in the ''Thrawn'' trilogy, made its film debut in the Special Edition of ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'',<ref name="SW HeirStarWars.com-2014a"/><ref name="Moviepilot Coruscant">{{cite web|url=https://moviepilot.com/p/star-wars-novel-thrawn/4194243|title=''Thrawn'', The Next ''Star Wars'' Novel, Promises To Transform The Franchise|publisher=Moviepilot|first=Tom|last=Bacon|date=January 23, 2017|access-date=March 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312062828/https://moviepilot.com/p/star-wars-novel-thrawn/4194243|archive-date=March 12, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> before being featured more heavily in the prequel trilogy. [[Star Wars: Republic|An eponymous comic book series]], later subtitled ''Republic'', launched in 1998 and introduced [[Ki-Adi-Mundi]] ahead of his appearance in the films.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Star Wars #1 Prelude to Rebellion (Part 1 of 6) :: Profile|url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/98-022/Star-Wars-1Prelude-to-Rebellion-Part-1-of-6|access-date=2020-06-06|website=Dark Horse Comics|archive-date=May 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522091422/https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/98-022/Star-Wars-1Prelude-to-Rebellion-Part-1-of-6|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1999, ''Star Wars'' book publishing moved from [[Bantam Spectra]] to [[Del Rey Books]]. A new series set between 25 and 30 years after the original films, ''[[The New Jedi Order]]'' (1999–2003), was written by multiple authors and introduced a new threat: the [[Yuuzhan Vong]], a powerful alien race attempting to invade and conquer the entire galaxy.<ref name="HP">{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/inverse/star-wars-was-nearly-ruin_b_10832354.html |title=''Star Wars'' Was Nearly Ruined By A Hacky Alien Invasion Storyline |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |first=Ryan |last=Britt |date=July 6, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213211007/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/inverse/star-wars-was-nearly-ruin_b_10832354.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="USA TodayEng-2004">{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2004-06-23-star-wars-books_x.htm |work=[[USA Today]] |title=''Star Wars'' books are soldiering on |first=Dinah |last=Eng |date=June 23, 2004 |access-date=February 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131120080800/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2004-06-23-star-wars-books_x.htm |archive-date=November 20, 2013}}</ref> The first novel in the series, [[R.&nbsp;A. Salvatore]]'s ''[[Vector Prime]]'', killed off popular character [[Chewbacca]].<ref name="ChewbaccaWhitbrook-2018">{{cite web|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-expanded-universe-story-that-lead-to-lucasfilm-re-w-1822092518|title=The Expanded Universe Story That Led to Lucasfilm Re-Writing ''Star Wars'' Canon|first=James|last=Whitbrook|publisher=[[io9]]|date=January 15, 2018|access-date=January 16, 2018|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420141029/https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-expanded-universe-story-that-lead-to-lucasfilm-re-w-1822092518|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|name=chewie|Discussing the restructured [[Disney]] canon in 2014, Chee said the death of Chewbacca in ''Vector Prime'' was a key factor in the decision to rebrand the existing Expanded Universe as non-canon.<ref name="ChewbaccaWhitbrook-2018"/>}}

The character [[Aayla Secura]], introduced in 2000 in the ''Republic'' comic book series, appears in ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones|Episode II: Attack of the Clones]]'' (2002).<ref name="Filoni CBSiegel-2017">{{cite web|url=http://comicbook.com/starwars/2017/02/20/star-wars-lucasfilm-legends-expanded-universe-george-lucas/|title=''Star Wars'': Dave Filoni Explains George Lucas and Lucasfilm's Relationship with ''Legends''|publisher=Comicbook[[ComicBook.com]]|first=Lucas|last=Siegel|date=February 20, 2017|access-date=February 24, 2017|archive-date=December 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226235741/https://comicbook.com/starwars/2017/02/20/star-wars-lucasfilm-legends-expanded-universe-george-lucas/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://moviepilot.com/posts/3910470 |title=From Leia Organa To Rey: 6 Most Powerful Female Jedi In ''Star Wars'' |first=Eleanor |last=Tremeer |publisher=[[Moviepilot]] |date=March 6, 2017 |access-date=March 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209210909/https://moviepilot.com/posts/3910470 |archive-date=February 9, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The 2003 animated series ''[[Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV series)|Clone Wars]]'' and various spin-off books, comics, and video games explore [[Clone Wars (Star Wars)|the titular conflict]] in more detail leading up to ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith|Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]'' (2005).<ref name="IGN Clone">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-animated-series/21 |title=100 Top Animated Series: 21. ''Star Wars: Clone Wars'' (2003 TV series)|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=2009|access-date=February 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228235715/http://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-animated-series/21|archive-date=February 28, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Blastr Clone">{{cite web|url=http://www.blastr.com/2015-4-29/how-clone-wars-microseries-led-way-star-wars-return-tv|title=How the ''Clone Wars'' microseries led the way for ''Star Wars''{{'}} return to TV|date=April 29, 2015|first=Lisa|last=Granshaw|publisher=[[Blastr]]|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-date=March 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313124520/http://www.blastr.com/2015-4-29/how-clone-wars-microseries-led-way-star-wars-return-tv|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ahead of the film's release, Lucas announced a 3D "continuation" of ''Clone Wars'',<ref>{{cite web|last=Sanchez|first=Robert|date=January 29, 2007|title=NEW Animated Star Wars: Clone Wars Series Fully in Production!|url=http://iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1778&Itemid=99|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229042916/http://iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1778&Itemid=99|archive-date=February 29, 2008|access-date=January 25, 2013|website=IESB.net}}</ref> which was released as the animated film ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (film)|The Clone Wars]]'' (2008) and a [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|television series of the same name]] (2008–2020).<ref name="Lost Missions">{{cite web|last=Goldman|first=Eric|date=March 8, 2014|title=''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'' – Season 6 "The Lost Missions" Review|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/08/star-wars-the-clone-wars-season-6-the-lost-missions-review|access-date=March 1, 2017|publisher=[[IGN]]|archive-date=January 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129084325/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/08/star-wars-the-clone-wars-season-6-the-lost-missions-review|url-status=live}}</ref> These reveal that Anakin had a Padawan learner, [[Ahsoka Tano]], during this period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/13/clone-wars-moves-to-netflix|title=''Clone Wars'' Moves to Netflix|last=Itzkoff|first=Dave|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 14, 2014|access-date=February 28, 2017|archive-date=November 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111065629/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/13/clone-wars-moves-to-netflix/|url-status=live}}</ref> Various characters seen only briefly in the films or in other spin-off material are featured in more depth. At this time, Lucas denied any plans to ever make a [[Star Wars sequel trilogy|''Star Wars'' sequel trilogy]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Secret History of Star Wars|last=Kaminski|first=Michael|year=2008|orig-year=2007|publisher=Legacy Books Press|page=494|isbn=978-0-9784652-3-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-lucas7-2008may07,0,7983947.story|title=George Lucas: ''Star Wars'' won't go beyond Darth Vader|last=Boucher|first=Geoff|date=May 7, 2008|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=February 28, 2017|archive-date=October 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023143206/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-lucas7-2008may07,0,7983947.story|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2004, over 1,100 ''Star Wars'' titles had been published, including novels, comics, non-fiction, and magazines. Then-president of Lucas Licensing, Howard Roffman, estimated that there were more than 65 million ''Star Wars'' books in print. He said, "The books are a way of extending the fantasy of ''Star Wars''. The movies have had a really profound effect on a couple of generations. ''Star Wars'' has become a cultural touchpoint, and our fans are avidly interested in exploring more stories."<ref name="USA TodayEng-2004" />

{{redirect|Holocron|the [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|The Clone Wars]] episode|Holocron Heist|the [[Star Wars Rebels|Rebels]] episode|The Holocrons of Fate}}

Originally, Lucasfilm tracked the narrative content of the Expanded Universe in [[bible (screenwriting)|story bibles]],<ref name="HolocronChee-2012" /> alongside [[List of Star Wars reference books|official reference books]] such as ''[[A Guide to the Star Wars Universe]]'' (1984/1994) and the ''[[Star Wars Encyclopedia]]'' (1998). In 2000, [[LucasArts]] lead tester Leland Chee was hired as Continuity Database Administrator for Lucas Licensing, and developed a database of franchise continuity based in part on 1998's encyclopedic ''Star Wars: Behind the Magic'' {{nowrap|CD-ROM}}.{{efn|This included the first release of certain [[deleted scenes]] from the original trilogy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Star Wars Trilogy Deleted Scenes |url=https://www.studioremarkable.com/reviews/star-wars-deleted-scenes/4589/ |website=Studio Remarkable |access-date=February 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607123412/http://www.studioremarkable.com/reviews/star-wars-deleted-scenes/4589/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} The database came to be known as the '''Holocron''',<ref name="HolocronChee-2012">{{cite web|url=http://starwarsblog.starwars.com/index.php/2012/07/20/what-is-the-holocron/ |title=What is the Holocron? |last=Chee |first=Leland |website=StarWars.com |date=July 20, 2012 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128165235/http://starwarsblog.starwars.com/index.php/2012/07/20/what-is-the-holocron/ |archive-date=November 28, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="BloombergLeonard-2013">{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-03-07/how-disney-bought-lucasfilm-and-its-plans-for-star-wars|title=How Disney Bought Lucasfilm—and Its Plans for ''Star Wars''|last=Leonard|first=Devin|work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|date=March 7, 2013|access-date=August 3, 2016|archive-date=November 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116161839/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-03-07/how-disney-bought-lucasfilm-and-its-plans-for-star-wars|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Baker-2008">{{cite magazine|last=Baker|first=Chris|date=August 18, 2008|title=Meet Leland Chee, the ''Star Wars'' Franchise Continuity Cop|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|url=https://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/magazine/16-09/ff_starwarscanon|url-status=dead|access-date=March 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121141152/http://www.wired.com/2008/08/ff-starwarscanon/|archive-date=November 21, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://starwarsblog.starwars.com/index.php/2012/07/19/introducing-leland-chee/|title=Introducing… Leland Chee|last=Chee|first=Leland|website=StarWars.com|date=July 19, 2012|access-date=March 9, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316073308/http://starwarsblog.starwars.com/index.php/2012/07/19/introducing-leland-chee/|archive-date=March 16, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> a term used within the ''Star Wars'' universe for "ancient repositories of knowledge and wisdom".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/jedi-holocron|title=Jedi Holocron|website=StarWars.com|access-date=January 26, 2017|archive-date=June 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625221340/https://www.starwars.com/databank/jedi-holocron|url-status=live}}</ref> The Holocron consists of over 55,000 entries for franchise characters, locations, species, and vehicles.<ref name="HolocronChee-2012"/>

{{quoteblockquote|When it comes to absolute canon, the real story of ''Star Wars'', you must turn to the films themselves—and only the films. Even novelizations are interpretations of the film, and while they are largely true to George Lucas' vision (he works quite closely with the novel authors), the method in which they are written does allow for some minor differences ... The further one branches away from the movies, the more interpretation and speculation come into play. LucasBooks works diligently to keep the continuing ''Star Wars'' expanded universe cohesive and uniform, but stylistically, there is always room for variation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/community/askjc/steve/askjc20010817.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020205010337/http://www.starwars.com/community/askjc/steve/askjc20010817.html|url-status=dead|title=Ask the Lucasfilm Jedi Council|date=August 17, 2001|archive-date=February 5, 2002|access-date=August 4, 2016|website=StarWars.com|first=Steve|last=Sansweet}}</ref>}}

{{quoteblockquote|I don't read that stuff. I haven't read any of the novels. I don't know anything about that world .. That's a different world than my world. But I do try to keep it consistent .. The way I do it now is they have a ''Star Wars Encyclopedia''. So if I come up with a name or something else, I look it up and see if it has already been used. When I said [other people] could make their own ''Star Wars'' stories, we decided that, like ''Star Trek'',... we would have two universes: My universe and then this other one. They try to make their universe as consistent with mine as possible, but obviously they get enthusiastic and want to go off in other directions.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=[[Starlog]] |title=Interview with George Lucas|date=August 2005|issue=337}}</ref>}}

Regarding the Holocron database in 2012, Chee said: "What sets ''Star Wars'' apart from other franchises is that we develop a singular continuity across all forms of media, whether it be the films, TV series, video games, novels and comics, and the Holocron is a key component to Lucasfilm being able to do this."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/swcvi-the-holocron-keeper-at-celebration|title=SWCVI: The Holocron Keeper at Celebration|last=Chee|first=Leland|website=StarWars.com|date=August 20, 2012|access-date=February 26, 2017|archive-date=May 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522092044/https://www.starwars.com/news/swcvi-the-holocron-keeper-at-celebration|url-status=live}}</ref> The Holocron was divided into five levels of canon (in order of precedence):

*'''G-canon''' was "'''George Lucas canon'''": Episodes ''I–VI'' (the released films at that time) overrode the lower levels of canonicity,<ref name="GizmodoWhitbrook-2015">{{cite web |url=http://io9.gizmodo.com/a-brief-history-of-star-wars-canon-old-and-new-1683320381|publisher=[[Gizmodo]]|title=A Brief History Of ''Star Wars'' Canon, Old And New|first=James|last=Whitbrook|date=February 2, 2015|access-date=January 27, 2017|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525091051/https://io9.gizmodo.com/a-brief-history-of-star-wars-canon-old-and-new-1683320381|url-status=live}}</ref> even when referring to elements introduced in other media. In the words of Leland Chee: "George's view of the universe is his view. He's not beholden to what's gone before."<ref name="Baker-2008"/>

*'''T-canon''' was '''Television canon''': The canonicity level comprising ''The Clone Wars'', which Lucas co-created.<ref name="GizmodoWhitbrook-2015"/>

*'''{{visible anchor|C-canon}}''' was '''Continuity canon''': Most of the material from the Expanded Universe including books, comics, and video games.<ref name="GizmodoWhitbrook-2015"/> The creation of stories that introduced radical changes in the continuity, like ''[[The Force Unleashed]]'' video game (which introduced [[Darth Vader]]'s [[Starkiller|secret apprentice]] Starkiller), required Lucas's approval, and he spent hours explaining the character relationships to the developers.<ref name="Baker-2008"/>

*'''S-canon''' was '''Secondary canon''': Any element introduced in Continuity canon that was contradicted by other material.<ref name="GizmodoWhitbrook-2015"/> The ''Holiday Special'' is an example, except for elements referenced in higher levels of canon.<ref name="Baker-2008"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.starwars.com/thread.jspa?threadID=152583&start=870|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115064750/http://forums.starwars.com/thread.jspa?threadID=152583&start=870|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 15, 2006|title=Holocron continuity database question|first=Leland|last=Chee|website=StarWars.com|date=October 4, 2006|access-date=October 23, 2018}}</ref>

*'''D-canon''' was '''Detours canon''': Elements of the unreleased show ''[[Star Wars: Detours|Detours]]'', though primarily intended as a parody of the franchise, were to follow a serial storyline that existed in a low level of canonicity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2015/10/its-an-awkward-time-to-be-a-star-wars-fan/|title=It's An Awkward Time To Be A Star Wars Fan|last=Owen|first=Phil|date=October 7, 2015|website=[[Kotaku]]|location=Australia|access-date=November 4, 2018|archive-date=May 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519082831/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2015/10/its-an-awkward-time-to-be-a-star-wars-fan/|url-status=live}}</ref>

*'''N-canon''' was '''Non-canon''': "What if" stories (such as the first 20 issues of the ''[[Star Wars Tales]]'' comic anthology), [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover appearances]] (such as ''Star Wars'' character appearances in ''[[Soulcalibur IV]]''), game statistics, and anything else directly contradicted by higher levels of canon.<ref name="GizmodoWhitbrook-2015"/>

In October 30, 2012, [[Thethe Walt Disney Company]] acquired Lucasfilm for {{US$|4.06 billion}} (equivalent to about ${{inflation|US|4.06|2012|r=2}}B in {{inflation/year|US}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2012/12/21/walt-disney-completes-lucasfilm-acquisition|title=Mickey meets ''Star Wars'': Walt Disney Co. completes acquisition of Lucasfilm|last=Schou|first=Solvej|date=December 21, 2012|work=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=August 26, 2016|archive-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123215710/http://www.ew.com/article/2012/12/21/walt-disney-completes-lucasfilm-acquisition/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Disney To Acquire Lucasfilm Ltd.|url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-to-acquire-lucasfilm-ltd/|publisher=[[The Walt Disney Company]]|type=press release|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=August 26, 2016|archive-date=September 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917204033/https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-to-acquire-lucasfilm-ltd/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BloombergLeonard-2013"/> Subsequently, Lucasfilm formed the "Lucasfilm Story Group", which was established to keep track of and define the canon and unify the films, comics, and other media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://io9.gizmodo.com/disney-appoints-a-group-to-determine-a-new-official-st-1497893812|title=Disney appoints a group to determine a new, official ''Star Wars'' canon|first=Rob|last=Bricken|publisher=Gizmodo|date=January 9, 2014|access-date=January 27, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222090516/http://io9.gizmodo.com/disney-appoints-a-group-to-determine-a-new-official-st-1497893812|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BlastrMoore-2014">{{cite web|title=Here's how Disney + Lucas plan to define (and redefine) ''Star Wars'' canon|url=http://www.blastr.com/2014-1-7/heres-how-disney-lucas-plan-define-and-redefine-star-wars-canon|publisher=[[Blastr]]|first=Trent|last=Moore|date=January 7, 2014|access-date=August 2, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818155819/http://www.blastr.com/2014-1-7/heres-how-disney-lucas-plan-define-and-redefine-star-wars-canon|url-status=dead}}</ref> Among its members are Chee, Kiri Hart, and [[Pablo Hidalgo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-meet-man-responsible-797760|title=''Star Wars'': Meet the Man Responsible for Keeping the Story Straight|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|date=May 22, 2015|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=January 26, 2017|archive-date=February 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211191527/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-meet-man-responsible-797760|url-status=live}}</ref> To prevent the planned sequel trilogy from being beholden to and restrained by the plotlines of the Expanded Universe works, the choice was made to discard that continuity.<ref name="SW LegendsStarWars.com-2014b" />{{efn|name=chewie}}{{efn|All events set after ''Return of the Jedi'', such as the Yuuzhan Vong War (in which Chewbacca was killed) and Boba Fett's escape from the sarlacc, were removed from continuity. Major characters like [[Mara Jade]] (and by extension her marriage to Luke Skywalker) and Han Solo and Leia Organa's children were likewise removed. Other notable exclusions from the canon were the ''Ewoks'' television movies, the 2003 ''[[Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV series)|Clone Wars]]'' animated series, the ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic|Knights of the Old Republic]]'' video games, the ''Shadows of the Empire'' multimedia project, and video game characters like Darth Vader's apprentice, Starkiller, and stormtrooper-turned-Jedi [[Kyle Katarn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/can-star-wars-survive-skywalker-saga-ends-1202561|title=Where ''Star Wars'' Can Go After the Skywalker Saga|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=April 17, 2019|access-date=April 17, 2019|first=Richard |last=Newby|archive-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124034906/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/can-star-wars-survive-skywalker-saga-ends-1202561|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/things-disney-erased-star-wars-expanded-universe/|title=10 Things In Star Wars EU Canon That Disney Erased|date=May 20, 2019|website=ScreenRant[[Screen Rant]]|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-date=May 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519082820/https://screenrant.com/things-disney-erased-star-wars-expanded-universe/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

On April 25, 2014, Lucasfilm rebranded the Expanded Universe material as ''Star Wars Legends'' and declared it non-canonical to the franchise. The company's focus would be shifted towards a restructured ''Star Wars'' canon based on new material.<ref name="SW LegendsStarWars.com-2014b">{{cite web|date=April 25, 2014|title=The Legendary ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe Turns a New Page|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page|access-date=May 26, 2016|website=StarWars.com|archive-date=September 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910044317/http://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="THR LegendsMcMilian-2014">{{cite news|last=McMilian|first=Graeme|date=April 25, 2014|title=Lucasfilm Unveils New Plans for ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lucasfilm-unveils-new-plans-star-698973|access-date=May 26, 2016|archive-date=August 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830203115/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lucasfilm-unveils-new-plans-star-698973|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SW Adult">{{cite web|date=April 25, 2014|title=Disney and Random House announce relaunch of ''Star Wars'' Adult Fiction line|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line|access-date=May 26, 2016|website=StarWars.com|archive-date=May 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514073722/http://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line|url-status=live}}</ref> Chee said in a 2014 [[Twitter]] post that a "primary goal" of the story group would be to replace the previous hierarchical canon (of the Holocron) with one cohesive one.<ref name="BlastrMoore-2014"/> However, the final season of ''The Clone Wars'', which was released in 2020,<ref name=":1Hibberd-2019">{{cite web|last1=Hibberd|first1=James|date=23 August 2019|title=Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 7 gets a premiere date|url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/08/23/clone-wars-final-season-date/|access-date=9 May 2021|website=Entertainment Weekly|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125055707/https://ew.com/tv/2019/08/23/clone-wars-final-season-date/|url-status=live}}</ref> contradicted aspects of the 2016 canon novel ''[[Star Wars: Ahsoka (novel)|Ahsoka]]''. The next year, ''The Clone Wars'' spin-off series ''[[Star Wars: The Bad Batch|The Bad Batch]]'' contradicted canon elements of the 2015 ''[[Kanan Jarrus#Comics|Kanan]]'' comic book series. ''The Bad Batch'' executive producer Jennifer Corbett explained that "Everything we did was for a reason and it might not match 100% but it's sort of just wanting to honor what existed but also give another take on it in this story."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gilman|first=Andrew|date=2021-05-05|title=Star Wars Producer Explains Retcon of [SPOILERS] In Disney+ Premiere of The Bad Batch|url=https://thedirect.com/article/star-wars-retcon-disney-bad-batch-caleb-dume|access-date=2021-05-09|website=The Direct|language=en|archive-date=May 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519082837/https://thedirect.com/article/star-wars-retcon-disney-bad-batch-caleb-dume|url-status=live}}</ref>

In its 2014 announcement, Lucasfilm explained that the only preexisting works to be considered canonical within the franchise would be the primary episodic films and the 2008 ''The Clone Wars'' film and TV series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/jenheddle/status/459751590262353920|title=Jennifer Heddle on Twitter: "@avgoins Yes."|last=Heddle|first=Jennifer|date=April 25, 2014|website=Twitter|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-date=January 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116103359/https://twitter.com/jenheddle/status/459751590262353920|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|The sole exception is the serialized short story "[[List of Star Wars books#Star Wars Insider (2014–present)|Blade Squadron]]" by [[David J. Williams|David J.]] and Mark S. Williams, which debuted in ''[[Star Wars Insider]]'' Issue 149 on April 22, 2014, three days prior to the "Legends" announcement. "Blade Squadron" is thus the first canonical ''Star Wars'' story outside the original six episodic films and ''The Clone Wars''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lightsaberrattling.com/star-wars-insider-magazine-fiction-is-canon/|title=Star Wars Insider Magazine Fiction Is Canon|access-date=2014-05-30|work=Lightsaber Rattling|archive-date=May 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519082838/https://lightsaberrattling.com/star-wars-insider-magazine-fiction-is-canon/|url-status=live}}</ref>}} The announcement called these works "the [[Retroactive continuity|immovable objects]] of ''Star Wars'' history, the characters and events to which all other tales must align."<ref name="SW LegendsStarWars.com-2014b"/><ref name="THR LegendsMcMilian-2014"/> It was also made clear that a planned ''Star Wars'' sequel trilogy, and subsequent works developed within the restructured canon, would not be based on ''Legends'' material but could possibly draw from it.<ref name="SW LegendsStarWars.com-2014b"/><ref name="THR LegendsMcMilian-2014"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://screenrant.com/star-wars-canon-history/|title=How ''Star Wars'' Is Almost More Sacrosanct Than Real History|work=[[Screen Rant]]|first=Rob|last=Keyes|date=March 21, 2017|access-date=March 21, 2017|archive-date=March 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112239/http://screenrant.com/star-wars-canon-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> The first new canonical novel was ''[[Star Wars: A New Dawn|A New Dawn]]'' by [[John Jackson Miller]], published in September 2014,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/08/30/star-wars-a-new-dawn-review |title=''Star Wars: A New Dawn'' Review |first=Eric |last=Goldman |date=August 30, 2014 |publisher=[[IGN]] |access-date=May 27, 2016 |archive-date=May 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522215549/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/08/30/star-wars-a-new-dawn-review |url-status=live }}</ref> acting as a prologue to the [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]]-animated television series ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'', which was released a month later.<ref name="Rebels debut">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-rebels-spark-of-rebellion-premieres-friday-october-3-on-disney-channel|title=''Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion'' Premieres Friday, October 3 on Disney Channel|publisher=StarWars.com|access-date=December 29, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006072156/http://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-rebels-spark-of-rebellion-premieres-friday-october-3-on-disney-channel|url-status=live}}</ref> Marvel began publishing new ''Star Wars'' comic book series in January 2015,<ref name="SDCC 2014">{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/sdcc-2014-inside-marvels-new-star-wars-comics-exclusive |title=SDCC 2014: Inside Marvel's New ''Star Wars'' Comics |first=Dan |last=Brooks |publisher=StarWars.com |date=July 26, 2014 |access-date=August 20, 2016 |archive-date=May 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514043523/http://www.starwars.com/news/sdcc-2014-inside-marvels-new-star-wars-comics-exclusive |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CA 2014">{{cite web |url=http://comicsalliance.com/marvel-new-star-wars-titles-darth-vader-princess-leia-aaron-cassaday-gillen-larroca-waid-dodson/ |title=Force Works: Marvel Announces Three New ''Star Wars Titles'' From All-Star Creative Teams |publisher=[[Comics AllianceComicsAlliance]] |first=Andrew |last=Wheeler |date=July 26, 2014 |access-date=August 20, 2016 |archive-date=October 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008145245/http://comicsalliance.com/marvel-new-star-wars-titles-darth-vader-princess-leia-aaron-cassaday-gillen-larroca-waid-dodson/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IGN 2014">{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/07/27/sdcc-2014-marvel-announces-3-star-wars-comics |title=SDCC 2014: Marvel Announces 3 ''Star Wars'' Comics for 2015 |publisher=[[IGN]] |first=Joshua |last=Yehl |date=July 26, 2014 |access-date=August 20, 2016 |archive-date=November 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121190208/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/27/sdcc-2014-marvel-announces-3-star-wars-comics |url-status=live }}</ref> and the ''[[Journey to Star Wars]]'' publishing initiative included books and comics tying in to the sequel trilogy films.

The first sequel trilogy film, ''[[The Force Awakens]]'', was released in December 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-worldwide-846428|title=''Star Wars: The Force Awakens'': When the Film Opens Around the World|last=McClintock|first=Pamela|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=December 7, 2015|access-date=February 26, 2017|archive-date=December 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209224531/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-worldwide-846428|url-status=live}}</ref> There was some minor fan backlash against the restructured canon, with one group successfully campaigning to buy a billboard pleading for Lucasfilm to continue the original non-canonical Expanded Universe separately from the canon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/04/21/star-wars-fans-buy-billboard-pleading-for-return-of-expanded-universe|title=Star Wars Fans Buy Billboard Pleading For Return of Expanded Universe|last=Skrebels|first=Joe|date=April 21, 2016|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-date=November 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104045938/https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/04/21/star-wars-fans-buy-billboard-pleading-for-return-of-expanded-universe|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Rebels'' supervising director [[Dave Filoni]] reintroduced popular ''Legends'' character Thrawn into the canon in the 2016 third season of ''Rebels''.<ref name="Filoni CBSiegel-2017"/> Timothy Zahn was hired to write new canonical novels about the character.<ref name="UT Rebels">{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2016/07/16/thrawn-star-wars-rebels-celebration/87180842/|title=Thrawn to make grand appearance in ''Star Wars Rebels''|work=USA Today|first=Brian|last=Truitt|date=July 16, 2016|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716183003/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2016/07/16/thrawn-star-wars-rebels-celebration/87180842/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SW GAT">{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-rebels-face-grand-admiral-thrawn-when-star-wars-rebels-season-three-premieres-saturday-september-24 |title=The Rebels Face Grand Admiral Thrawn When ''Star Wars Rebels'' Season Three Premieres Saturday, September 24 |publisher=StarWars.com |date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=September 25, 2016 |archive-date=October 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005104338/http://www.starwars.com/news/the-rebels-face-grand-admiral-thrawn-when-star-wars-rebels-season-three-premieres-saturday-september-24 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/07/17/star-wars-celebration-2016-rebels-will-treat-thrawn-as-a-vader-level-threat|title=''Star Wars'' Celebration 2016: ''Rebels'' Will Treat Thrawn As A Vader-Level Threat|first1=Daniel|last1=Krupa|first2=Eric|last2=Goldman|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=July 17, 2016|access-date=July 21, 2016|archive-date=April 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410101456/https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/07/17/star-wars-celebration-2016-rebels-will-treat-thrawn-as-a-vader-level-threat|url-status=live}}</ref> Since co-creating ''The Clone Wars'', Filoni has followed Lucas (who incorporated Expanded Universe elements into the Special Editions, prequels, and ''The Clone Wars'') in incorporating multiple spin-off elements into his series.<ref name="Filoni CBSiegel-2017"/><ref name="Filoni YouTube">{{cite web|last1=Filoni|first1=Dave|author-link1=Dave Filoni|last2=Gutierrez|first2=Andi|date=August 12, 2016|title=Dave Filoni Extended Interview: The ''Star Wars'' Show|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcNXPNXOv2A |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/hcNXPNXOv2A |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=January 28, 2017|publisher=Official Star Wars [[YouTube]] channel|at=40:51}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Some cancelled ''The Clone Wars'' episodes were adapted into books and comics in ''[[The Clone Wars Legacy]]'' multimedia project.

After ''The Force Awakens'', multiple films were released, including the anthology films ''[[Rogue One]]'' (2016) and ''[[Solo: A Star Wars Story]]'' (2018), as well as the second and third sequel trilogy films, ''[[The Last Jedi]]'' (2017) and ''[[The Rise of Skywalker]]'' (2019). Dozens of novels, comics published by Marvel and [[IDW Publishing|IDW]], and games like ''[[Star Wars Battlefront II (2017 video game)|Battlefront II]]'' (2017) were released.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/star-wars-battlefront-ii-will-tell-a-canon-story-of-imp-1794354644|title=Star Wars Battlefront II Will Tell a Canon Story of Imperial Revenge (and Have Last Jedi DLC)|last=Lussier|first=Germain|work=io9|access-date=2018-08-20|language=en-US|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423052830/https://io9.gizmodo.com/star-wars-battlefront-ii-will-tell-a-canon-story-of-imp-1794354644|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, the animated series ''[[Star Wars Resistance|Resistance]]'', set in the sequel trilogy era, premiered in late 2018 and ran until early 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-resistance-trailer|title=Star Wars Resistance Trailer Revealed {{!}} StarWars.com|date=2018-08-17|work=StarWars.com|access-date=2018-08-20|language=en-US|archive-date=June 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607170644/https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-resistance-trailer|url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[The Mandalorian]]'', a post-''Return of the Jedi'' live-action series written by [[Jon Favreau]] premiered in late 2019 on the Disney streaming service [[Disney+]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/jon-favreau-to-executive-produce-write-live-action-star-wars-series|title=Jon Favreau to Executive Produce and Write Live-Action&nbsp;Star Wars&nbsp;Series {{!}} StarWars.com|work=StarWars.com|access-date=2018-08-20|language=en-US|archive-date=June 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607194528/https://www.starwars.com/news/jon-favreau-to-executive-produce-write-live-action-star-wars-series|url-status=live}}</ref> In early 2020, a final season of ''The Clone Wars'' animated series debuted on the streaming service.<ref name=":1Hibberd-2019" />

In February 2020, it was announced that a new line of books and comics, labeled ''[[Star Wars: The High Republic|The High Republic]]'', would begin publishing starting in August. The line takes place 200 years prior to the events of ''The Phantom Menace'' and will not overlap any films or series currently planned for production.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-the-high-republic|title=Lucasfilm to Launch ''Star Wars: The High Republic'' Publishing Campaign in 2020|website=StarWars.com|date=February 24, 2020|access-date=March 6, 2020|archive-date=February 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225043833/https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-the-high-republic|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2020, multiple live-action series were announced for Disney+, including ''[[Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV series)|Obi-Wan Kenobi]]'', ''[[Andor (TV series)|Andor]]'', ''[[Lando (TV series)|Lando]]'', three ''Mandalorian'' spin-offs, and ''[[The Acolyte (TV series)|The Acolyte]]'' (set during the High Republic).<ref>{{cite web|last=Mitovitch|first=Matt|date=December 21, 2020|title=Boba Fett Series Confirmed as a Mandalorian Spinoff; Pedro Pascal Will Be Back as Mando for Season 3|url=https://tvline.com/2020/12/21/the-book-of-boba-fett-mandalorian-spinoff-series-december-2021/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221150505/https://tvline.com/2020/12/21/the-book-of-boba-fett-mandalorian-spinoff-series-december-2021/|archive-date=December 21, 2020|access-date=December 21, 2020|work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Lindahl|first=Chris|date=2020-12-10|title=Justin Simien's 'Lando,' Ahsoka Tano and High Republic Series, Plus 'The Rangers of the New Republic' Set on Disney+|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/12/new-star-wars-show-ahsoka-tano-rangers-of-the-new-republic-andor-disney-plus-1234603763/|access-date=2020-12-11|website=IndieWire|language=en|archive-date=December 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210232613/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/12/new-star-wars-show-ahsoka-tano-rangers-of-the-new-republic-andor-disney-plus-1234603763/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-10|title=Future Lucasfilm Projects Revealed|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/future-lucasfilm-projects-revealed|access-date=2020-12-10|website=StarWars.com|language=en-US|archive-date=December 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213074720/https://www.starwars.com/news/future-lucasfilm-projects-revealed|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 2, 2021, several legacy ''Star Wars'' films and series were added to Disney+.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ridgely|first=Charlie|date=March 16, 2021|title=Disney+: Every Movie and TV Show Arriving in April 2021|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/disney-plus-new-movies-shows-april-2021/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-16|website=[[ComicBook.com]]|language=en|archive-date=March 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316194956/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/disney-plus-new-movies-shows-april-2021/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Bad Batch'' debuted on May 4.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Keane|first=Sean|date=May 3, 2021|title=Star Wars: The Bad Batch crew talks season length, Omega and Imperial oppression|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/star-wars-the-bad-batch-crew-talks-season-length-omega-and-imperial-oppression/|url-status=live|access-date=May 9, 2021|website=[[CNET]]|archive-date=May 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503173054/https://www.cnet.com/news/star-wars-the-bad-batch-crew-talks-season-length-omega-and-imperial-oppression/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Multiple Marvel comics rebootedrelaunched in 2020, moving to the era between ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi''.<ref>{{cite web|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|date=October 4, 2019|title=Marvel to Relaunch 'Star Wars' Comic With Time Jump|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/marvel-relaunch-star-wars-comic-time-jump-1245572|access-date=October 6, 2019|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|archive-date=October 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005173826/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/marvel-relaunch-star-wars-comic-time-jump-1245572|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Celestino|first=Mike|date=February 5, 2020|title=Comic Review – "Star Wars: Darth Vader" (2020) #1|url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/02/05/comic-review-star-wars-darth-vader-2020-1/|access-date=February 29, 2020|website=Laughing Place|archive-date=February 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229082019/https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/02/05/comic-review-star-wars-darth-vader-2020-1/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="relaunch">{{cite web|last=Marston|first=George|date=October 25, 2019|title=''Star Wars: Doctor Aphra'' Relaunching in 2020|url=https://www.newsarama.com/47583-star-wars-doctor-aphra.html|access-date=March 3, 2020|website=[[Newsarama]]|archive-date=December 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211152149/https://www.newsarama.com/47583-star-wars-doctor-aphra.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ''Star Wars'' Legends [[fictional universe]] spans multiple eras. The names, symbols, and dates of the publishing eras were first introduced in October 2000<ref>{{cite web |title=Eras of Adventure |url=http://www.starwars.com:80/eu/lit/novel/news20001026.html |website=StarWars.com |access-date=6 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050308004508/http://www.starwars.com:80/eu/lit/novel/news20001026.html |archive-date=8 March 2005}}</ref> and were refined<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chee |first1=Leland |title=Keeper of the Holocron's Blog |url=http://blogs.starwars.com/holocron/24 |website=StarWars.com Blogs |access-date=6 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002061953/http://blogs.starwars.com/holocron/24 |archive-date=2 October 20062008}}</ref> up to February 2015:<ref>{{cite book |last1=Corey |first1=James S. A. |title=Honor Among Thieves |date=2015 |publisher=Del Rey |location=London |isbn=9780099594260}}</ref>

==References Notes ==