Why Darth Mickey Keeps Borrowing from Star Wars Books

Often, fans question the consistency of Star Wars stories, particularly when the films and books seem to borrow ideas from each other. The fact is, the expansion universe has never been canon by the same standards as the movies. This article explores why and how this happens, and why the new Disney Star Wars movies occasionally reference and borrow from the expanded universe.

Are Star Wars Books Canon?

The Star Wars books and other expanded universe (EU) materials were never on the same level of canon as the movies. Under George Lucas' control, there were multiple levels of canon, and while novels, comics, and other media could be considered true until Lucas contradicted them in a movie, they were not binding on him. However, he did incorporate some elements from the EU, such as the name Coruscant for the capital planet of the Republic.

The Legends Continuity

The Legends continuity, a term often used to describe the non-canon materials created by Lucasfilm before 2014, was not considered part of the main “canon.” The old Star Wars Expanded Universe often included a brief disclaimer stating that the material was a story based on Star Wars but was not part of the main movie saga, with the exception of the Thrawn trilogy, which was commissioned by Lucas and considered a separate issue, closer to movie canon.

Why the Crossover?

Two main reasons account for the significant crossover between “Legends” and the new “Disney Wars”:

Legends Continuity was Not Officially Canon: The old Legends continuity was always explicitly stated as not being part of the movie canon, making it easy for the Disney team to incorporate elements from it for new content without creating a conflict with the films. Lazy Cribbing: The current directors have employed a strategy of borrowing ideas from the now-defunct Legends continuity rather than coming up with new concepts. This approach is partly due to the success of earlier fanbases for these characters, making them a sure bet for audience appeal.

Partly, this practice can be attributed to the fandom as well. While the quality of the writing in the new trilogy has been a point of contention, it’s important to note that The Last Jedi specifically used fewer elements from the expanded universe, yet received massive backlash from fans.

The Purpose of the Crossover

Disney’s approach to using Legends elements is a strategic choice to capitalize on the established fanbase of these characters. By incorporating well-known and beloved elements from the expanded universe, Disney aims to engage existing fans while introducing new material to the broader audience. This strategy not only provides continuity and consistency but also enhances the overall storytelling experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the inconsistency between movies and books in Star Wars might frustrate some fans, it reflects a deliberate and strategic approach to storytelling. The Legends continuity, though not an official part of the main canon, provides a rich resource for expanding the Star Wars universe in a way that satisfies both long-time fans and newcomers alike. As Disney continues to build its new canon, drawing from the rich legacy of the expanded universe remains a key strategy for engaging audiences and maintaining the franchise's cultural impact.