Star Wars Episode 7 News

Monday, March 24, 2014

UPDATE 2! Clarification On What's In The Star Wars Canon.


Because of the many questions I've seen in the comments  and in my e-mail, here's a quick clarification on what's included in the Star Wars canon...



First back in January it was announced that a group called Lucasfilm Story Group is developing a unified Star Wars canon. Leland Chee and Pablo Hidalgo are both part of that group.

Chee said that the Story Group has a hand in all facets of Star Wars storytelling, including movies, TV, games, and publishing. Also he mentioned that the canon field will serve them internally simply for classification rather than setting hierarchy. Later he added that their main goal is to create one cohesive Star Wars canon.

And a tweet by Pablo Hidalgo himself gives the answer to the main question. What's included in the new Star Wars canon?

star wars

I'm posting his tweet as an image because he recently deleted his Twitter account.

Also check out this very interesting report from JediTempleArchives  from a month ago about the Star Wars toys that also tells us that there are significant changes happening with the whole Star Wars brand: 
Hasbro has been directed by Lucasfilm, Ltd. to avoid the Expanded Universe like the plague. Not only is it next to impossible that we'll see a brand new Expanded Universe figure in the near future, older and hard to find figures will NEVER see re-release either.

Hasbro said, and I quote, to "not expect to ever see Jaina Solo or Jacen Solo or any other older Comic Packs figure re-released in any way to get out to collectors".

On a related note, we will see a huge cutback on the characters from the Prequel Trilogy as well. They're not off limits, but the focus will be on the Original Trilogy and Star Wars: Rebels for the foreseeable future.

So whether you like it or not for now Star Wars: Episode 1-9, TCW, Star Wars: Rebels and the Spin-Off movies are the only thing considered canon.


UPDATE!

A small but fresh update. Right now Peter Mayhew is attending MegaCon 2014. During the Star Wars panel, fans where asking questions one of which is closely connected with the current topic:


star wars

UPDATE 2!

And here's something else that was brought to my attention 5 days ago that I completely forgot about. From Joe Corroney's Facebook page:
Joe Corroney (an illustrator who has provided Lucasfilm Ltd. with official Star Wars artwork for related books, games, trading cards and magazines since 1996) Going out on a limb here (not really) but I believe Lucasfilm is having to change, alter, adapt, redefine, erase, etc. (some or all of the above) the EU based on the script and story treatments coming from Disney production (JJ, Kasdan). I don't think LFL is interested in nuking and paving thirty years of dedicated EU like a corrupted hard drive for the fun of it. The new movies being created by Team Disney are dictating the new direction of the franchise and all previous and upcoming spinoff material. LFL will be salvaging as much of what they can from the EU I'm sure.

So although the EU is not considered canon it surely is not dead. Remember what JediDigger told us few months ago:
Right now they're looking at using the basic descriptions of EU characters with different names. Fans should not expect to see Kyle Katarn, Corran Horn or Cilghal, but characters who are very much like them.

That's why Bob Iger said they would use the 17,000 character for inspiration for new characters.

So all EU lovers, haters and so on should calm down. I'm sure there will be a little something for everyone in the new movies.

P.S. Be ready for some more rumors tomorrow.


217 comments:

  1. Leland Chee did state that the published material moving forward would also be canon. Dave Filoni also stated that the Maul arc that's being published as a comic book by Dark Horse is canon.

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    1. There is still hope for EU Fans, but little.

      Is possible that as the story group builds the canon, they add EU books in where there are gaps?

      RIP to the Star Wars Expanded Universe.
      It pains me that so many of those characters were good, as wel as
      Many bad, but so many good.

      Delete
    2. well*

      For some reason, after you backspace on mobile, it won't let you type anymore. Nothing serious.

      Delete
  2. I'm sorry for the EU fans but I'm elated about the prequel snub. The further we get away from them the better!

    So far so good... we may just have an awesome trilogy ahead of us yet!

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    1. As a prequel fan, I find your comment very insulting and arrogant.

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    2. Insulting and arrogant? I'm glad you're here to tell us these things! I really love the EU, but I guess they don't wanna upset the EU fans, so the characters will probably just change names and alter the timelines hopefully

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    3. Oh poor you. This is not "insulting and arrogant", it's the truth. Only babies would take that so personally. Personally I find it "Insulting and arrogant" when prequel fanboys try to insult me and come up with fake excuses as to why I don't like the garbage that was the prequel films. If you like them, great, but don't insult me just because I can actually see how poorly written and directed baby drivel they were.

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    4. well said! amigo

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    5. ^except a billion OT fanboys would back you up if a PT fan says something that you don't happen to agree with. Quit calling me a baby for having an opinion , especially when you spout out your authority with the reasoning that goes something like this: "the OT is better cuz I say so and it just is." Maybe in your world this makes sense.

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    6. @anonymous march 23.... at 12:24 pm,

      Do you want to know what the definition of "baby drivel" is?

      It is an army of teddy bears taking out the greatest military force in the galaxy with rocks and arrows. It is the Emperor saying "You are now part of the dark side, ha! ha!" because Luke just had a temper tantrum. It is two storm troopers firing at Luke and Leia from 20 feet away and missing, even giving them enough time to swing on a rope.

      Quit calling the movies other people like as "garbage" and "baby drivel" when nonsensical stuff appears in the stuff you happen to enjoy.

      And before you crucify me with your next comment, please realize that my favorite two Star Wars movies were Episode IV and V. So there.

      Delete
    7. Well I'm glad you're here to tell us these things! Chewie take the professor in the back and plug him into the hyperdrive

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    8. Since these comments are all anonymous, it kinda looks like you're having an argument with yourself.

      Delete
  3. ♫♫ I read on this site that Pablo Hidalgo was put in charge of incorporating the E/U characters into the film. I'm glad they are dis regarding that EU garbage. As far as people continuing to thrash the prequels, maybe try watching them again, or for the 1st time, I hope Jar Jar make an appearance just for all the prequels bashers. ♫♫

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    1. Hey the director's name is JJ Abrams. That's close enough to Jar Jar for any prequel fans. Let's leave it at that and only that... forever.

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  4. Unfortunately, that's what everyone knew that gonna be.

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  5. yoo-hoo!!! The way is should be!!! ... Waiting patiently for the EU crybabies in 3... 2... 1...

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    Replies
    1. They will still talk about EU characters like they are going to be in ep 7. So pathetic

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    2. ♫♫ Every casting rumor people think it is Mara Jade or Jacen Solo. I'm sure Lucasfilm even got tired of this and made this announcement. It wasn't good enough that Lucas said this publicly right after the sale to Disney. Bye Bye Mara ♫♫

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    3. haha so true. EU fanboys drive me mad.

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    4. I hate the EU, especially the fucking stupid Vongs!

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    5. I hate the OT fanatics, especially the EU bashers.

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    6. The YV war is awesome. The story about the rise and fall of Caedus is awesome. Mara Jade is awesome. The Thrawn trilogy is awesome. The prequel trilogy is not really very awesome. I love the movies, and I love most of the EU stuff, but I don't really have a problem about it not being canon anymore. They would be fools to throw away characters such as Thrawn, the solo and skywalker children and lots of the others. They would really be fools to just shove everything aside. JJ has been to meetings with Timothy Zahn (Thrawn trilogy and duology) and that really tells me that even though the eu is no longer canon, the characters are not really dead. Maybe the name is changed or something else, but when you guys see the movies and think it is awesome. Maybe it is because they have mashed the EU together?

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    7. Waiting for EU crybabies? I was waiting for ignorant trolls but you beat me here!!!

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    8. "I hate the OT fanatics"
      Personally I hate OT fanatic haters, because being unable to admit when something is bad is ignorant, and hating people who have common sense to be fanatics over brilliant films like the OT makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

      Delete
    9. We're the ewoks brilliant?

      Answer truthfully.

      Delete
  6. I'll personally never accept a cartoon as canon. Only the movies, episodes 1-9

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    1. That's fine becasue one thing I'm sure they will do is keep the movies in such a way that you will not have to have seen any of the other stuff for the films to work.

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    2. I'd take the EU over the cartoons.

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  7. Ultimately its up to the fan to determine what is canon or not. It does not matter if it is recognized by the companies or not.

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    1. Yeah, but the thing about EU figures kinda sucks. I don't collect but there are plenty of people that do... and it's a blatant loss of income and makes no businesses sense

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    2. I agree, plus all the work that those authors put into those books and comics.

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    3. I must rush to get my Revan and Bastilla figures before they cost to much lol

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    5. um what's got your pants in a knot?

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  8. i read most of the EU, and i loved it, it kept me entertained for years at work.
    I will always consider EU cannon, i will consider lucasfilm and disney's universes to be alternate timelines.
    after all. its all fiction at the end of the day anyways.

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    1. Exactly what I'm going to do

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    2. ♫♫"i will consider lucasfilm and disney's universes to be alternate timelines" That's hilarious. ♫♫

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    3. Hilarious is correct! Some people get confused that EU is the alternate timeline instead.

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    4. It is all fiction anyways my fellow star wars fans. i will view both as equal.
      i just hope disney's version of cannon will justify them throwing away the EU.

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    5. Dandino, 100% agree. Everyone should use something called "consumer discretion". If the new stuff sucks don't pay to consume it. Unfortunantly that will mean that Star Wars is dead but something else would take its place. Maybe some more "fan fiction" will even be produced.

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    6. Nothing Can Ever Replace Star Wars ;D

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  9. I just want to know where the comic strips fit into the cannon.

    http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Star_Wars_comic_strip

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    1. Stories could be so-so, but I loved many of those, esp. Al Williamson's work.

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  10. YOU CAN DO WEATHERER YOU WANT BUT THE EU WILL ALWAYS BE A CANON IN MY HEART...

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    1. ♫♫ Keep those garbage stories in your heart, it's a great place for them, I want the real films. ♫♫

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    2. Haw Haw! Keep it in your heart and go read Mills and Boons too!

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    3. I've love all of the Star wars movies, including the The Clone wars series, just think about, 30 years of quality Star wars material and it's not valid, come on it's like saying, MR George Lucas didn't made a Star wars, it makes no sense...

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    4. I used to like the EU, Sandis!

      Until they start with the Vong craps!

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  11. "Everything on screen". So the 80's Droids and Ewoks cartoons, the 2 Ewok movies and The Holiday Special are also canon.

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    1. Learn to read. "what's on the screen- Episodes I-VI"

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    2. OK ummmm, same thing. The aforementioned has been on the screen.

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    3. ...No. Again, learn to read. "what's on the screen- Episodes I-VI".. In other words. everything in episodes I-VI. Are you seriously going to take "on screen" so literal?..

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    4. Yes, yes I am. Except for TCW movie (which was horrible), the rest were on TV. REBELS is said to be canon. TV. If there's a li e action show, that'll be TV. It didn't say "In other words". If LFL wants to clarify their statement, so be it. Otherwise, "On screen" includes all stuff that has been, ya know, ON SCREEN. What's that so difficult for you to understand lol? Is English your primary language?

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    5. Lol, Amen brother!

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    6. I hope Lumpy makes it into VII.

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    7. Oh yeah, Vlix too!

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  12. There is no way inam going to ignore 30 years of expanded universe material now that disney have their hands on the saga. It was canon before, they can't just wipe it out. 30 years of what was canon now just dismissed?! That's just retarded.

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    1. It was NEVER canon.

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    2. It was to us I enjoyed a lot of the books and comics. KOTOR will always have a special place for me as well as the Jedi Academy trilogy and the Heir to the empire series. I could go on and on about the awesome books made, that should be cannon, but I won't.......

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    3. ♫♫ I could write a BS "canon" for you. It has been wiped out as fanboys just can't get over those lame EU stories. People are saying Chewbacca can't be in Episode 7 because he was killed a lame novel. I wish Lucas never would have allowed others right write fanboy novels. ♫♫

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    4. To be fair, KOTOR was GREAT!!! Its just the stories that take place after ROTJ that sucks! Yes, I hated the Clone Emperor and Vongs!

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    5. ^ this, most of the pre-movie canon is cool at times.

      "Clone emperor"

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    6. Most of the writers aren't even fans of SW!

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    7. Most people who worked on the harry potter movies also didn't read the harry potter novels either.

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  13. It's a damn good thing Lucasfilm is keeping Caravan of Courage g-canon.

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    1. Who needs the EU and Mara Jade? Cindel is going to be Lukes love interest in episode IV.

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    2. Did you mean Episode VII?

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    3. I hope Nick Fury appears in the ending to recruit Luke Skywalker for Avengers 2 and Black Widow will become Luke's love interest!

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    4. Hahaha that is so awesome. You made my day

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  14. Yeah There are a lot of things I will keep in my personal cannon. But I will not have clone wars as part of my official Cannon as it is just silly. Might as well make the holiday special cannon hahahaha yeah Susan B Arthur is now part of the official cannon

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  15. What I still don't understand is: is Star Wars Clone Wars (the 2d epic miniseries by Genndy Tartakovsky) still considered canon or not? Nobody talks about that and is where Ventress and Grievous are introduced (and in TCW seems everybody knows perfectly who they are)...

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    1. ♫♫ Both Clone wars Cartoons were written to coincide with the films. Same as Rebels. It's the Novels and video games that will have no baring on the REAL Star Wars. ♫♫

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  16. Nice clarification. But will someone explain to me what they mean by the word "canon"? I see that word alot here and I don't know what it means. Thanks. :)

    God Bless and No Rude Replies Please
    Tigress

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    1. It means events that are 'real' in that world.

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  17. AS LONG AS NO Clone Emperor and Vongs, I will be happy!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. No you won't. There's bound to be something in the new material that you hate just as much. And the stuff you like, some guy years from now will troll you about how it's "not real" (LOL) someday.

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    2. Yipe, as long as there is no clone Palpy or those vietnamese vegetable naming villains.

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  18. That means I have to watch the clone wars to keep up to date? Weaaaak! Just give me a raw gritty dark Empires style western epic in space with real gnarbar characters who are BA as fudge and give no flyins about the empire and belief in something beyond their oppressed lives worth fighting for all held together by the mysterious force only the most elite understand on their quest through the universe \m/.. you had one job george lucas..you had one job..

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    1. Have you seen the three last seasons of tcw? They are ten times more "gritty" and violent than all of the movies...

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  19. CW sucks Anakin should not have an apprentice when the counsel didn't trust him in episode III. There is so much wrong with the series I am sorry that people take it so seriously. the cartoon one was okay but the CG one just did nothing but dumb down the series. I will never consider it to be part of my Star Wars.....

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    1. Did you watch at least most of it before you came to that conclusion? or are you saying that after watching 2 episodes. If so, you opinion doesn't really matter to me or anyone here for that matter, I'm sure.

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    2. i thought the only way a Jedi became a Master was if his Padawan graduated to the rank of Jedi? If this is so, it would make sense the counsel did not trust Anakin, his Padawan dropped out of the Jedi training which explains why he wasn't yet a master in ROTS...

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    3. I'm watched the last episode of TCW a couple of days ago. As a fan of the OT, EU and really not that great fan of the PT I found it really hard to watch some times. The worst about the clone wars was really that it really made no sense.. In the cartoon it really felt like a connection between EP II and III and therfore I loved it. The animated clone wars was too much talking, to much jedi breaking the code and doing it our own way thinking, and really not enough clone wars. When I started to watch season 4 I was really beginning to get annoyed. When I watched season six and they started on the JarJar love story I was ready to just give it all up for the 1000th time. The first time was with the mandalorians being peacefully and pacifists.. The only cool things about the final sesaon was the fact that Darth Bane was mentioned and Ashoka was only on the screen for 30 seconds! The best part of it all is that it is finally done! I know Lucas intended for the PT to be about the society and politics in star wars, but it really doesn't have that same magic feeling as the OT did.. I really hope JJ and Kennedy does a great job. When we heard it would take place 30 years after Jedi i got really excited!

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  20. In my opinion everything before the movies could stay, and everything after ROTJ should be annihilated.

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    1. Because that was around the same time you probably grew up, so naturally everything after 83 was "bad." You sound like a religious preacher who says "rock n roll' was evil in the 1950s.

      Of course, I'm being half-serious, but really, come on. The PT and clone wars had some good qualities.

      Delete
    2. "everything after ROTJ should be annihilated."

      I'm going to take a wild guess and say that you have no idea what the Thrawn Trilogy is.

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    3. The Thrawn Trilogy was great Sith 33

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  21. I thought The Clone Wars (3D) was WAY better than Episodes I & II. It took a while to get its stride (I didn't really like the movie or season one that much), but the last few seasons were really great storytelling.

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  22. I want to repeat what I just read, to make sure I understand it all correctly:

    At the moment of writing this (March 22, 2014), the only official (canon) Star Wars story is the one told by the latest versions of the existing episode movies (Episodes 1-6) and the Star Wars: The Clone Wars CGI series (the feature film plus the 6 TV seasons that followed). Future products (Star Wars: Rebels CGI TV series, Episodes 7-9, spin-off movies) will also be canon, but all the rest produced will be discarded.

    Wow.

    First of all, this is a very bold move indeed. Recognizing only Episodes 1-6 and The Clone Wars CGI film and series (which add little to the overall story in any case) will give Disney freedom to do whatever they wish next.

    On the other hand, there is so much stuff out there beyond the Episodes 1-6 and the Clone Wars film/series - books, graphic novels, you name it. I can't help but think that folks who spent the $$$ on these will feel cheated now, given that what they enjoyed will be invalidated. Also, they might be reluctant to buy any such material in the future, assuming that Disney will produce its own EU material. Hm.

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    1. how would i feel cheated? EU has always been ignored in the past...original Marvel SW comics killed, Boba Fett backstory killed, Masters of Teras Kasi ignored "rules" of EU, ..etc, etc...this is not the first time in the SW Universe that entire storylines have been thrown out the window, and i am sure it won't be the last as the years roll on...

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  23. This is as it should be. EU is crap.

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    1. No seriously, EU is indeed CRAP!!!

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    2. That doesn't even make sense to say. There is a lot that falls under that banner. Unless you just hate Star Wars which would indeed make you a troll.

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    1. Yeah, because you have to be a really amazing person to read books.. Pretentious twats like you are so hilarious. Star wars is a film series. The books, games, tv shows are all spin offs.

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    2. Well most likely you're too lazy to read or maybe you don't know have to read properly...

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    3. You dont have to be an amazing pperson, just be willing to expand your mind a little bit. Go watch a reality show or something. -Hilarious Twat

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    4. Wtf?? I read all the time but I'm not a pretentious twat like you who thinks reading is some sort of admirable activity. It's fucking reading lmao. 8 year olds read. Wow. It says a lot about you if you actually think reading is some sort of amazing ability.. Did you just learn how to read yourself or something?
      "or maybe you don't know have to read properly..." Again, I do read, you're just making up stuff and being pretentious about it, so I'd pipe down if I were you.. or should I say, GO READ A BOOK!! Because that makes me sound REALLY clever doesn't it?.. Because only REALLY clever people can read, right?.. lmao. The internet is truly a hilarious source of idiots.

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    6. You have a huge vocabulary. Keep using the words amazing, pretentious, hilarious and twat in every response, it works for you. We have a fucking genius over here.

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  25. good , means they are not limited by all the bollocks (pardon my french , sorry if ive alsooffended the frrench) , some of the eu stuff is good , but it is a separate entity . the offical films are what matters , everything else is just fan fiction .

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    1. Its not just us. Its the people in charge of Star Wars too. Go back to your cartoons

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    2. Uncanon? Not reading anything else you ever post...

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    3. but than again, there's a sub-categories for considered canon, like a G-canon that's stands for MR George Lucas Star wars material, or C-canon for novels, comics and video games...

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  27. @ Sandis Rozuleja Dvorovs

    Disney is the new owner here. They have the right to decide what is Star Wars canon and what is not. If they say that they recognize only Episodes I-VI and Star Wars: The Clone Wars as valid canon from pre-Disney days, this is within their rights. It is as simple as that.

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    1. They dont have "the right". They cant just decide to consider something noncanon whenever tbey feel like it. Theyre completely going about this the wrong way.

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    2. how can you be so ''okay'' with that, it's such a waist of quality Star wars material, or maybe simply you don't care, as simple as that...

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    3. I am not ok with it at all. There are better stories in the EU than in the newly defined canon (Dark Horse's Tales of the Jedi graphic novel series is an example). I am just saying that they can do it - and they did it.

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  28. Good riddance. Get rid of all of it. In fact, keeping TCW is being far too kind. As far as I'm concerned, the episodic movies are the only thing that counts anyway. Anything else can be discarded at a moment's notice.

    Big Daddy Dave

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    1. I agree. TCW is weak, and it should've been only Episodes I-VI as canon. The reason why TCW is included as well is most likely the fact that the transition to Disney happened while TCW was still in active production (Season 6 came out under the Disney banner).

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  30. I'm glad the EU is being discarded, they killed Chewbacca. I'll take Chewie over any offspring Han and Leah had or some chick
    Luke married. It's the right move and a fair trade off.

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    1. Since you clearly know what you're talking about and everything ...

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    2. Yeah, they shouldn't kill off the family dog! One of the reason I hated the EU. Except KOTOR, KOTOR is sweet!

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  31. One of the things I always enjoyed about Star Wars that no matter how big a EU writer/artists/etc screwed up, they tried their best to make it all work together and making it one story as a hole.

    There is some good stuff (and admittedly some very bad stuff) in the EU and the potential that it's all just gone is a bit of a disappointment for me, I understand the need for space to create new movies,...but everything thrown away, seems like a waste? ...although reading this site I seem to be a minority who thinks this way.

    Will just have to see how this develops but I must already admit my enthusiasm towards the new films is already decreasing as a result.

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    1. Completely agree with you...

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    2. While I have read and enjoyed many of the EU novels, I couldn't care less if the events in them were included or not. But there were some really good characters to come from them. For me they are the things being wasted.

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    3. i own all of the novels from '78 to '05 & the only thing i would have done differently would have officially "ended" the Lucasfilm novels. I would have let the author pull a last storyline, killing off main characters, etc. putting their twist at the end of the SW EU Universe, then i would have started over with Disney EU. This would have put money in their pockets, pacified SOME of the EU fans by giving them an ending and give everyone something new to look forward to. I am glad to have a new story to look forward to and cannot wait to see what happens...everything revolves around the movies, and X Men are a good example of having multiple story lines at different eras in their universe...

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  32. It's not official yet...

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  33. That was very well put, I feel the exact same way

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  34. Everybody drawing lines in the sand makes me laugh, I have enjoyed all things Star Wars! I hope E7 goes a new direction so I can enjoy something new! I loved and appreciated every movie, book and cartoon, each one for its own individual reasons. I guess I consider myself a fan. I will watch these new films regardless of who is in them! Why? You may ask. Because I love Star Wars!

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  35. But EVERYTHING will be thrown away? Even the Kotor games? But they don't interfere in the movies storyline.

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    1. KOTOR is safe. The EU stories after ROTJ will be flushed down the toliet which is GREAT NEWS to us!

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  36. O.k- so the EU is just the EU, something beyond the main canon. Now I will bid you nice people goodbye, I have built a time machine and I'm going back to the mid 1990's to try and convince George Lucas to film the Thrawn Trilogy with Ford, Hamill & Fisher, instead of making the prequels..

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    1. Farewell Time Traveler, and while you are at it, please try to find my keys i lost back in '89 & see if you can get Phantasm 5 rolling somewhere around '02 if possible...

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    2. How 'bout you just help him write the prequels and then make sure he never sells the rights to Star Wars?

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  37. So where does Shadows of the Empire fall in all of this?

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    1. Gone, lots of good material removed from the canon. Not really a big deal though, it doesn't prevent you from reading and enjoying it. It's only a big deal if EP VII sucks, b/c then they'll have pretty much killed Star Wars.

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  38. This makes perfect sense. Yes, a lot of people are huge EU fans, and many of the rest of us at least like bits and pieces of the EU material. Nothing wrong with that at all.

    But at a certain point, you have to stop and consider the fact that anybody making a new SW film is going to have their hands tied in a big way by having to account for the characters and events of dozens upon dozens of stories written by a slew of different authors. Creative freedom gets chucked in the trash heap if that's the case.

    Hell, Lucas didn't even always bother with continuity with his own existing movies when he made a new one. That being the case, why would an official "canon" include much of anything beyond the movies?

    I'm sure they'll borrow selected elements from various EU stories and adapt them to the new movies. But I can see not wanting to tie themselves down to specific EU characters and storylines.

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    1. Great minds think alike. I couldn't agree more.

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  39. Well in all honesty I could really care less about any of the actual stories, save for the Thrawn Trilogy, being offical canon. If anything I do want to see characters like Thrawn, Mara, and Katarn get adapted into the new universe. Especially Thrawn, and I'm sure if fans let Disney know how important certain character like Thrawn are to the fanbase, they may just include them in the new canon.

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  40. please remember that lucas had always reserved the rights to tell the story of what happened after return of the jedi. so no big surprise.

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  41. This is still speculation. The movies and TV has always been the "main" source that overrides everything else. No one, no where, officially, has said the rest is being thrown out. All they are saying is they CAN throw it out. If they do, long term, Star Wars is dead.
    The EU is why we are talking about Episode 7. The one cohesive universe is what set Star Wars apart from all other franchises.
    Now, was all of it great? Of course not but an entire generation of fans grew up with the EU being "Star Wars" to them.
    I think we know there are going to be some changes and a point of departure, after a certain novel for instance, would make sense but to just throw it all away is throwing away a generation of Star Wars fans-fans that got us to where we are-for what? Why is the "upside" to this?
    Keeping most of the EU isn't going to drive any fans away, as long as we aren't retelling the same stories, for example, but destroying it is destroying a trust. Why would I buy ANY new comic, book, etc if on a whim it becomes "fanficition?" The EU wouldn't have sold as well if it had been marketed as glorified fanfiction.
    I can't see Disney being this short sighted. I think even the EU fans are aware there will be some changes and retcons but a total destruction...it isn't just destroying the EU, it's destroying the trust that the EU represented and thus, long term, will destroy the franchise.
    It's the reason we are excited about Episode 7 and no one cares about Star Trek 3.

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    1. Someone gets it!!! I know they plan on pumping out a ton of movies but they stand to lose an awful lot of profit if they drive away the hardcore fanbase. Even if EP VII is a great success with the general public they eventually get bored and that's when you need your loyal fanbase.

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  42. Deleting the EU from official SW canon is NOT a waste. A waste would be going to see a SW movie featuring Jacen, Jaina, Mara Jade, Corran, Horn, Thrawn and all other EU characters as opposed to fresh, brand-new and exciting faces. The EU was Lucasfilm's way to fans interested in SW between films/trilogies (and also a very nice way for them to make some good money). No more, no less. And most importantly, no big loss of any kind here.

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    1. Exactly. People can only blame themselves if they are stupid enough to treat something like the EU as 100% canon in the first place.

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    2. Absolutely correct. Why on Earth or Tatooine would people consider some RIDICULOUS events (the Emperor's clones, Boba Fett surviving the Sarlacc pit, TONS of Jedi surviving Order 66, etc.) as official canon (let alone as good story-telling) is completely beyond me. I for one, I'm very happy to know that the slate's been wiped clean, and that we'll be getting new characters and situations created by one Lawrence Kasdan (and not mediocre authors, who are nothing other than glorified fanfic writers for the most part).

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    3. Because it was all so realistic to begin with ...

      Check update 2 and happy trolling!!!

      Delete
  43. ohhh
    Spoiler for people that havn't seen the last of the clone wars serie.

    the force "spirit" tells yoda that there is another Skywalker,
    now this is around before the twins where born. So Anikan must have a Brother or sister. Now the Clone Wars serie is canon.

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  44. ummm....i took that as the force spirit referring to Padme being pregnant with the twins....

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  45. Lucasfilm always told the EU is canon, but it never was. They knew it, we knew it. Great idea to kill th EU at last, because it's so bad. Mara sucks, Thrawn sucks, Jaina and Jacen sucks. The whole crap sucks.

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    1. Words none more true have never been written!!! EU sucks!!! Finally it´s outta the picture.

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    2. After ROTJ EU for the most part, but the Old Republic stuff is quite good.

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    3. Did you ever consider that maybe you're not really a fan? Pro tip, the Thrawn and Mara parts ID you as a troll.

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  46. This will be a day long remembered, we have seen the end of the EU, we will soon see the end of the prequels.

    Fuck yeah!!!

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    1. Medals for all !!
      ..except Chewie

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    2. Yeah, let's not have Star Wars anymore!!! Ugh ...

      You do realize the EU is inevitable right? I mean, even if its not exactly the same as before there will be an EU. Also, read Update 2. Have a nice day!!! LOL!!!

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  47. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  48. I like EU I read loads of the books, graphic novels and of course games (I guess it scraps the jedi knight and academy games too) but I can live with it as long as the old republic stuff is still canon. It's the old republic stuff that I loved the most, I would absolutely love a tv series or film based on the old republic! or a kotor 3 would do nicely XD

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  49. NEWSFLASH!!! The EU is NOT going anywhere. The EU EXISTS!!! They can claim it doesn't count all they want. And that means nothing. Lucasfilm can put out a press release saying the moon vanished and it would have as much credibility.

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    1. Your ignorance and lack of understanding amuses me greatly

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    2. ^Anonymous? If you believe the EU disappeared from the library shelves, or that the moon vanished from the sky, you are an idiot.

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    3. Anonymous 12:28, what is ignorant about my post? The EU is not going anywhere. No matter what Pablo says. And after you see J.J.'s movie, you may want to pretend that doesn't exist.

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    4. HAHA. I will repeat myself, your ignorance and lack of understand amuses me greatly. They are saying the EU is not canon.. Simple. This has nothing to do with forgetting it's existance and taking it "from the library shelves, or that the moon vanished from the sky". You all look absolutely ridiculous it's beyond hilarious.

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    5. Anonymous 1:10 you are an idiot. Lucasfilm saying the EU is not canon is the same as saying it does not exist. Even "Heir to the Empire," which was "OVERSEEN" by George Lucas, also does not exist. I guess just to appease J.J. and his EU reset. Sure to be overseen by some Bad Robot intern (see Star Trek comic books).

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  50. Though enthused by the thought of being able to enjoy brand new star wars stories, it does feel sad that the EU stories I grew old with (always felt like we grew old togetger with the big 3 and all) are now gone. Still remember the shock and sadness and denial I went through when chewie died in the books. Some of the solo kids felt like my own, having 'watch them' grow up.

    I supposed its both a good and bad thing.

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  51. After seeing all the hate for the EU, I hope Abrams puts a time warp plot in the prequels, and undoes the prequels.

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    1. Yeah seriously. If anything, it's the PT that deserves a re-write...

      ...like actually making Anakin a truly nice guy before he falls to the Dark Side, emphasizing the tragedy of his fall.

      Instead we got this whiny, intolerable jerk, so it wasn't sad at all when he fell. Heck, everyone in the theater actually CHEERED when he was all burnt and crispy. It was bizarre, as the character we saw was pretty much the exact opposite of how Obi-Wan originally described him in ANH.

      We never saw the selfless, admirable hero. He was a total jerk from adolescence onward. I'll never forgive Lucas for that.

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  52. Nobody is saying that the EU "doesn't exist". LFL is just saying that they aren't going to force the filmmakers who create the new movies to be bound by EU events and characters.

    The novels and comic books and vid games are all still there to be enjoyed. Every few years, I know I'll still dust off the old Rogue Squadron novels and read through 'em and enjoy the hell out of 'em.

    The movies just won't follow the EU novels is all. Nor should they, IMHO. Rehashing the events from a bunch of novels of wildly varying quality doesn't sound like that appealing a moviegoing experience to me. Personally, I go to new Star Wars movies wanting to be surprised and amazed. (Okay, so with the prequel movies it was often a lot more along the lines of stunned and appalled, but still.) ;^)

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    1. One thing I have learnt is that EU fanboys overreact to literally everything. I'm starting to just give up with them

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    2. What pisses me off the most are these EU fanboys claiming that if you have not read the books you're not a real fan. I've been a fan since 1977, a lot longer than some of these wankers have been alive and way before the EU became popular.

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    3. I've been a fan since '77 too, Fettman. And y'know, I think we all learned very early on that the movies were the movies and the extra stories from the books and the comics were their own thing.

      I mean, what was our first round of "EU"? Jaxxon the green space rabbit and Splinter of the Mind's Eye. Did any of us even bat an eye when Empire came out in 1980 and none of that stuff was taken into account? Hell no! Splinter was a fun story, but it was obvious right off the bat that Luke's first encounter with Vader was on Cloud City, and not in that temple on Mimban.

      The books and comics were always just fun ways to let various authors play around with the world of Star Wars.The whole "They have to all be considered one continuous story, ALL of them!" thing didn't come along until much, much later, and I never bought it for a second.

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  53. I really used to enjoy this site but the hate here lately has gotten really bad. Never realized before the amount of animosity between PT, OT and EU fans.

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    1. This shows how vast and different the fans are. Some people love this news while others hate it. That's why JJ Abrams is fucked either way. No matter what he puts on screen, A LOT of people are gonna hate him. People are already ready to call him Jar Jar Abrams ffs. Personally as long as the big 3 are back, I know ill enjoy it

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    2. I normally just see it as casual versus hardcore but it can be tough to take sometimes. I enjoy all 3 of those things (PT, OT, a lot of the EU) and I'm irritated by anyone who taunts any one of those 3 groups.

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  54. Episodes I-IX? Try I-XII...at least. This series will have some major legs.

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  55. Well... rest in peace, Jaxxon. And you too, Plif.

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  56. From the Facebook page of Joe Corroney, a good friend of the LFL Story Group

    From Joe Corroney's FB page, he's a good friend of Pablo Hidalgo

    Joe Corroney Going out on a limb here (not really) but I believe Lucasfilm is having to change, after, adapt, redefine, erase, etc. (some or all of the above) the EU based on the script and story treatments coming from Disney production (JJ, Kasdan). I don't think LFL is interested in nuking and paving thirty years of dedicated EU like a corrupted hard drive for the fun of it. The new movies being created by Team Disney are dictating the new direction of the franchise and all previous and upcoming spinoff material. LFL will be salvaging as much of what they can from the EU I'm sure.

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  57. they could still make pretty similar characters that would sorta resemble them in a way

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  58. Folks, it is clear to me that most of you got that Pablo Hidalgo Twitter statement wrong. What he actually meant is that Star Wars canon is only what is on the BIG screen, at this moment in time the 7 movies that were released in the theaters (Episodes 1-6 and the Clone Wars CGI feature film).

    Everything else (TV series, books, graphic novels, video games, action figures etc.) is not Star Wars canon.

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    1. Right, at the moment ...

      Any canon is always fluid and the SW canon has been VERY fluid recently.

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  59. Please keep the Old Republic EU.

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    1. Very likely since there's $$$ involved. There's just no need to declare it yet.

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  60. Some fans are so stupid about some things. I love the prequels as I love the Original movies, I like a lot of EU (of course, there are some shit). Why don't you respect each other?

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  61. ♫♫ Another article that confirms No EU in the next film, that is about 3 and the last few days, but then the article ends.....
    "I'm sure there will be a little something for everyone in the new movies." ♫♫

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    1. Not exactly what Update 2 says though. Think of the EU as chocolate chips and EP VII as a big chocolate chip cookie.

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  62. Why are so many of the posts deleted? "This comment has been removed by a blog administrator." A good percentage of posts on this article and a few other have been deleted, yet they are people swearing on posts and there is name calling but those posts are left on here? Very strange.

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    1. It should just be an indicator of how bad those posts were. He's letting minor fanboy wars fly and the occasional curse. It's just when someone carries something to far... that's when it get's deleted.

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  63. I had no idea that SW fans were so passionate! ;) The idea of TCW (Animated TV series) being the only published non Ep 1- 9 material that is canon i totally get!

    I mean we all know that the real game (for fans of the EU or not) with TCW was to see what would survive the EU Purge and actually make it into an episode of TCW (verified actual canon). There are so many great things from EU that made it into TCW series, and I for one am thankful. Darth Bane, Mandalore, Mandalorians, Sith home world Korriban (Moraband), Night Sisters, Dathomir, Republic Commandos (just awesome to see the RCs on screen), Dark Sun, Hutt home world, Darth Maul lives, etc, etc … I mean the list goes on and on.

    I believe TCW series and staff should be applauded for trying (and doing so in many cases) to save some of the best EU and make it canon. Knowing darn well that TCW episodes and characters are the only non Ep 1 - 9 based stories that would actually survive the EU Purge and be made canon!

    Thank you to all TCW staff for making some of my favorite characters from the EU actual canon! Awesome! :)

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  64. This is about the stupidest thing I've ever read, and the only thing it will accomplish is to split the Star Wars community in two. We've seen this many times before with other franchises, and the same thing always happens: if you take a massive crap on the very fans who have invested in your stories for YEARS, you will lose them.

    The fact is that the Jacen/Jaina story is easily among the best of EU, and you'd have to be insane to want to change that in any significant way. Jacen's fall would easily be the most compelling story within this time period that they could use for the big screen... a total no-brainer. Furthermore, while a lot of the other EU stuff is indeed not very good, things like KotOR 1 and 2 were BY FAR some of the best SW stories ever written, and they were infinitely better than the awful prequel trilogy. The best of Star Wars is the OT, KotOR 1/2, Jacen/Jaina, and the Bane stuff. Most everything else is second-rate (or worse, in the case of the PT).

    The bottom line is that Jacen becomes a Sith Lord, he kills Mara Jade, and Jaina eventually kills him, PERIOD. If any of those main plot points are changed, then I don't know a single SW fan who will be interested. The new movies will just be more Hollywood drivel designed to make big $$$ by appealing to the lowest common denominator (the average idiot movie-goer), instead of the true fans who have supported SW for decades. Anyone supporting such a brain-dead change doesn't deserve to call themselves a Star Wars fan. It would be "Greedo shoots first" magnified by a thousand.

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  65. God himself could direct the new Star Wars movies and people would still bitch about something. Forget about PT, OT, EU, FU blah blah and just enjoy the new trilogy and embrace the fact that many people have waited a long time for a post OT story.

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  66. "The bottom line is that Jacen becomes a Sith Lord, he kills Mara Jade, and Jaina eventually kills him, PERIOD. If any of those main plot points are changed, then I don't know a single SW fan who will be interested."

    Well, that's taking it a bit far. I know plenty of SW fans who will be very interested, even if the new films don't end up following the EU novels. In fact, I know plenty of SW fans who would rather see something new, rather than just a cinematic rehash of the novels.

    That's like saying that nobody will be interested in seeing a Batman movie unless it follows a particular storyline from the comic books. Of course people will be interested, hardcore fans included.

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