Summary
WithStar Warsdiscussions surroundingThe Acolytetaking over the internet, it’s time to talk about what theStar WarsExpanded Universe– now called “Legends” – actually was and is. Over the past few weeks, lots of criticism ofThe Acolytehas come fromStar Warsaudiences concerned about changes or perceived disrespect for the Expanded Universe. Some of this seems to come from the fact thatThe Acolytetakes place at a point in theStar Warstimelinethat was previously only relegated to books and comics.
Much like Luke Skywalker inStar Wars:The Last Jedi, enthusiasts are very concerned withStar Warsbooks, treating them like Luke treats the sacred Jedi texts in the movie. But how have these books, the Expanded Universe, changed over the years? How has the Legendstimeline changed as a whole, and how does that affectStar Warsto this very day? Do these audiences really know what they’re talking about - and what aboutKi-Adi-Mundi’s age?
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What Was The Star Wars Expanded Universe?
An Interconnected Timeline Of Star Wars Stories
The Expanded Universe is how theStar Warsuniverse beyond films was referred to in the years before theDisney purchase of Lucasfilm. Beginning after the release of the originalStar Warsmovie in 1977, the Expanded Universe eventually grew to contain countless books, comics, and games, fleshing out theStar Warsgalaxy with every release. The EU was beloved by fans, and introduced so many now-iconic characters, likeGrand Admiral Thrawnand Mara Jade.
As the EU continued into the 2000s, the print side of the galaxy became more ambitious, with the colossal, 19-book-longNew Jedi Orderseries, and the 9-book follow-ups,Legacy of the ForceandFate of the Jedi.More and more of the universe became detailed and fleshed out.EU books & comics took readers all the way up to 45 in-universe years afterA New Hope, and all the way back to over 25,000 years prior, with theDawn of the Jediera projects. Despite the EU seeming so streamlined today, it was not always so simple.
The Star Wars Expanded Universe Was Always Shifting & Changing
Sourcebooks Published Later Did The Heavy Lifting
One big reason that fans are upset aboutThe Acolyteis because they believe it is somehow defiling previously establishedStar Warslore. One specific example of this is, as previously mentioned, the age of Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi. In reality,the defining feature of the Expanded Universe is that it is based on other pieces of media – theStar Warsmovies and TV shows, which are always presenting new information. Thus, the Expanded Universe was always shifting and changing.
Ki-Adi-Mundi’s Age Was Never Canon
This is the nature of any transmedia franchise; it’s always in flux. In the old Expanded Universe, there were even established tiers of canonicity, with higher tiers such as movies and TV shows able to redefine previously held facts only presented in lower tiered sources, like magazine articles or RPG supplements. Even so, Ki-Adi-Mundi’s age was established in a now non-canon CD-ROM computer encyclopedia program, something whichThe Acolytewould never have been beholden to in the first place.
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Many Legends Books Really Are Page-Turners, Whether They’re Canon Or Not
Don’t Dismiss Stories Because They’re Not Canon
Contradictory to what Yoda says inThe Last Jedi, though that may have just been because the books weren’t actually burning,Star WarsLegendsbooks are absolutely page-turners. Legends books contain a separate but very high quality alternateStar Warstimeline, and should not be overlooked simply because they don’t exist in the same world as currentStar Warsshows and movies. The old Expanded Universe is an absolute treasure-trove ofStar Warsstories.
Legends books contain a separate but very high quality alternate Star Wars timeline, and should not be overlooked simply because they don’t exist in the same world as current Star Wars shows and movies.
Unfortunately, though, many audiences weaponize this aspect of these wonderful and underrated books & comics, leading to divisive and intense arguments between enthusiasts of Legendsand canon. This is always sad to see, as the new and old timelines share so much between them. Legends is always available, and reprints are still being published to this day – making it a viable option for spending time as aStar Warsenthusiast. There’s no need for arguing about trivialities online whenStar WarsLegendsis alive and well, if one chooses to read it.
