The Future of Star Wars: Disney’s Approach to Legends and Old Canon
Among the most discussed topics in the Star Wars fan community is the relationship between Star Wars Legends and the Old Canon. Many fans wonder whether Disney, through Lucasfilm, will continue to draw inspiration from Legends while also integrating elements from the Old Canon to create a cohesive and appealing narrative. This article explores Disney’s approach to these resources and provides insights into their ongoing strategy.
Cherrypicking Inspiration and Creative Freedom
Lucasfilm, the creative powerhouse behind the Star Wars franchise, has always had the latitude to pick and choose from its expansive library of Star Wars materials. This flexibility allows them to adapt Legends and the Old Canon to align with their vision for the franchise. While Legends contained a mix of brilliant ideas and less satisfactory content, Lucasfilm decanonized it to give themselves the creative freedom to tell new stories and craft new characters without the constraints of older material.
By invoking this creative freedom, Lucasfilm can incorporate unique and appealing elements from Legends into their new content. For example, certain characters, planets, or technology from Legends might be reimagined and reworked into new stories, providing fresh and engaging content for fans.
Cherrypicking for New Storylines
The practice of using Legends and the Old Canon is not new; it has been part of Lucasfilm’s methodology for decades. This cherrypicking of inspiration can be seen in several aspects of the franchise, from character backstory to planet details. When writing the Star Wars prequel films, George Lucas himself referenced the Star Wars Encyclopedia to inform his choices, ensuring consistency with the universe he created.
Similarly, in recent years, Lucasfilm has incorporated elements from the Old Canon into the new stories. For example, the character Thrawn, originally from the Legends series, was reintroduced in the animated series Rebels and later in live-action media. This integration demonstrates Lucasfilm’s willingness to blend old and new material to maintain continuity and appeal to fans.
Adapting to the New Canon
While Lucasfilm has the flexibility to include elements from Legends, they must also adapt to the evolving New Canon. The New Canon, established with the arrival of the Disney-owned Star Wars, sets a definitive storyline and timeline. Some Legends content, including specific events or character arcs, may not fit within this new framework due to time inconsistency or conflicting timeline elements.
This doesn’t mean that all Legends content will be disregarded. Instead, Lucasfilm will selectively incorporate elements that enhance the New Canon while ensuring consistency with the overarching narrative. For instance, certain characters or technology from older stories might be subtly integrated to provide a richer and more comprehensive backstory for the universe.
Creating Fresh Content
Ultimately, Lucasfilm’s priority is to create new, engaging stories that resonate with modern audiences. While pulling from past materials can be beneficial, the franchise’s success depends on the creation of fresh and original content. This approach allows them to maintain the legacy while pushing the boundaries of the Star Wars universe.
It’s common for Lucasfilm to create new characters, abilities, and storylines that are entirely original, even when drawing inspiration from past materials. For example, they might create new characters with unique abilities inspired by Legends but with a distinct and original backstory. This balance between new and old provides a satisfying narrative that caters to both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise.
When it comes to incorporating Legends and Old Canon, the key is to ensure that the new content feels natural and consistent. This balance is crucial for maintaining fan engagement and ensuring that the Star Wars universe remains vibrant and compelling.