Riccardo 
When George Lucas created Star Wars in 1977, he ignited the imagination of millions worldwide. The original trilogy of films introduced us to a rich, vibrant galaxy filled with fascinating characters, alien worlds, and epic conflicts. However, the story didn’t end with “Return of the Jedi.” For decades, the Star Wars Expanded Universe (EU) has been exploring the vast reaches of that galaxy far, far away, delving into its history, expanding its lore, and introducing countless new adventures.
The Birth of the Expanded Universe
The Star Wars Expanded Universe officially began in 1978 with the release of “Splinter of the Mind’s Eye” by Alan Dean Foster. This novel was commissioned as a potential low-budget sequel to the original film, should it not perform well at the box office. While the massive success of Star Wars rendered this contingency unnecessary, “Splinter of the Mind’s Eye” marked the beginning of a vast tapestry of stories set in the Star Wars universe.Throughout the 1980s, the EU grew slowly but steadily. The Han Solo Adventures trilogy by Brian Daley and The Lando Calrissian Adventures trilogy by L. Neil Smith expanded on the backstories of these beloved characters. Meanwhile, Marvel Comics continued to publish Star Wars comics, filling the gap between the original film and “The Empire Strikes Back.”The Golden Age of the Expanded Universe
The EU truly exploded in the 1990s, beginning with Timothy Zahn’s landmark “Heir to the Empire” trilogy. Set five years after “Return of the Jedi,” these novels introduced Grand Admiral Thrawn, one of the most popular EU characters, and reignited interest in Star Wars during a period when no new films were being produced.This success opened the floodgates for a torrent of new Star Wars content. Novels, comics, video games, and even radio dramas expanded the universe in all directions. Some key developments during this period included:- The Tales of the Jedi comics, which explored the ancient history of the Jedi and Sith
- The X-Wing novel series, focusing on Rebel/New Republic starfighter pilots
- The Dark Empire comic series, which controversially brought back Emperor Palpatine as a clone
- The Jedi Academy trilogy, chronicling Luke Skywalker’s efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order
Check out the rise of Grand Admiral Thrawn
Multimedia Expansions
The EU wasn’t limited to print media. Video games played a crucial role in expanding the Star Wars universe, often telling stories that significantly impacted the overall lore:- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003) and its sequel explored the galaxy 4,000 years before the films, introducing beloved characters like Revan and Darth Malak.
- Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (1996) was a multimedia project spanning a novel, comic series, video game, and toy line, filling the gap between “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.”
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008) told the story of Darth Vader’s secret apprentice in the years leading up to the original trilogy.
The New Jedi Order and Beyond
As the EU entered the 21st century, it continued to evolve and take risks. The New Jedi Order series (1999-2003) was a massive, 19-book epic that introduced the extragalactic Yuuzhan Vong as a threat unlike anything the Star Wars galaxy had faced before. This series dramatically altered the status quo, leading to the deaths of major characters and forever changing the political landscape of the galaxy.Subsequent series like Legacy of the Force and Fate of the Jedi continued to push the timeline forward, exploring the lives of the next generation of Skywalkers and Solos. Meanwhile, other books delved into unexplored eras, such as the Darth Bane trilogy, which established the “Rule of Two” that governed the Sith for a millennium.Continuity and Canon
One of the most impressive aspects of the Expanded Universe was its commitment to maintaining a consistent continuity. Lucasfilm’s licensing department worked hard to ensure that the vast majority of EU stories could coexist without major contradictions. This led to the creation of an intricate timeline spanning thousands of years, from the dawn of the Republic to more than a century after the original films.The EU was generally considered canon, second only to the films and TV shows produced by George Lucas himself. This led to a tiered system of canon:- G-canon: The films, TV shows, and direct statements from George Lucas
- T-canon: Television shows like The Clone Wars
- C-canon: Most EU materials, including novels, comics, and games
- S-canon: Secondary canon, older or less consistent materials
- N-canon: Non-canon materials, including “what-if” stories
The Impact of the Prequels
The release of the prequel trilogy (1999-2005) presented both challenges and opportunities for the EU. While some existing materials set in the prequel era had to be retconned or declared non-canon, the new films also opened up vast new areas for exploration. Novels, comics, and games set during the Clone Wars proliferated, filling in the gaps between the films and expanding on the backgrounds of characters like Darth Maul and General Grievous.Fan Favorites and Lasting Legacy
Over the decades, the Expanded Universe introduced a vast array of characters who became fan favorites, often rivaling the popularity of those from the films. Some standout examples include:- Mara Jade: A former Emperor’s Hand who became Luke Skywalker’s wife
- Grand Admiral Thrawn: A brilliant Imperial strategist with blue skin and red eyes
- Kyle Katarn: A Rebel agent turned Jedi who starred in several video games
- Darth Bane: The Sith Lord who established the Rule of Two
- Jacen and Jaina Solo: The twin children of Han and Leia, whose destinies took very different paths
