10 Star Wars Expanded Universe Themes and Characters That We Need in Disney’s Star Wars Canon!
Joe Pulford
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There was a time after Return of the Jedi where fans of Star Wars had no movies to look forward to. Far from being a dark time though, Star Wars was flourishing in books and comics. There are many fans who believe that the now retconned Expanded Star Wars Books had better, more Star Wars like stories than what Disney is currently producing. We may never see the full stories in the current continuity, but we are seeing some portions in the new Disney Star Wars, like Grand Admiral Thrawn in the [easyazon_link identifier=”B07CXBXQYT” locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]Star Wars Rebels[/easyazon_link] cartoon. We even got to see a Hammerhead class ship in [easyazon_link identifier=”B01N7FYJ7H” locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]Rogue One[/easyazon_link]. Here are 10 more things from the EU that would make the new Disney Star Wars better.
10. The Errant Venture
This Imperial Class Star Destroyer was captured by the Smuggler Booster Terrik following the Battle of Endor. Terrik would repurpose the ship, turning into a market that featured a number of different merchants. The ship had its problems, but it was still a powerhouse. It also sports a festive red paint job. The ship first appeared in [easyazon_link identifier=”0553568043″ locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]X-Wing: The Bacta War[/easyazon_link].
9. Every Lightsaber Color in the Rainbow.
George Lucas was famous for not wanting to add new lightsaber colors to the franchise. He only wanted Blue, Red, and Green. However, Samual L. Jackson talked him into adding Purple. In Clone Wars fans got to see a black lightsaber, and in Rebels, we saw a White one. In the comics and books, there were yellow, teal, pink, orange, and silver sabers. Each blade was as unique as the Jedi that used it. Imagine the movie and TV series fights we could see if a lightsaber could be any color.
8. Exar Kun
Long before Darth Maul wowed the whole world with a double-bladed lightsaber, Exar Kun was wowing comics fans with one in the pages of [easyazon_link identifier=”1593078307″ locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]Tales of the Jedi[/easyazon_link]. Exar Kun is one of the most powerful Sith Lords in the Old Republic. He built the temples on Yavin. Later his Force Ghost would cause problems for Luke Skywalker’s new academy on Yavin. Seeing this evil Sith Lord in future Star Wars properties would be a nice nod to history.
7. Functional Students of Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker had many students in the EU. Most of them turned out pretty well, even if there were some hiccups along the way. Characters like Corren Horn, Kyp Durron, and Tenel Ka all attended the New Jedi Order and became successful Jedi Knights and Masters. So far in the current timeline, we’ve only met one of Luke’s students, Ben Solo, and he was an utter failure. He also seemed to have turned a group of students called the Knights of Ren. This isn’t a good showing for Luke as a Jedi. I would love to see more functional students Luke taught going forward.
6. An Alliance Between the Empire and the New Republic
All we’ve ever seen is the Rebels and the Empire fighting each other. Even in the new movies, it’s the same dynamic. Seeing Tie Fighters and X-Wings face off against another villain would be so cool. Seeing a Jedi and Sith combine skills to take down one warrior would be thrilling. The possibilities are so fun to imagine. What if there was a threat so great that it forced the enemies to team up… maybe something lower on my list?
5. The Karyta Dragon
We saw the bones all the way back in a New Hope on Tatooine, but in some of the EU stories, we got to see a living version of this monster. Most often they would be boss battles in video games like [easyazon_link identifier=”B00SNQGCNC” locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]Knights of the Old Republic[/easyazon_link]. The Dragon was known for having a very precious stone in its belly, which was sought after by anyone brave enough to hunt it. I’d love to have one chasing Rey or Finn in Episode IX.
4. Likable Solo Children
In the Expanded Universe, Leia and Han had three children, Jania, Jacen, and Anakin. Fans were introduced to them at very young ages. The twins were born during the [easyazon_link identifier=”0553296124″ locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]Thrawn Trilogy[/easyazon_link] and Anakin was added during the [easyazon_link identifier=”1568651201″ locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]Jedi Academy Trilogy[/easyazon_link]. Though the children had their ups and downs, with Jacen eventual falling to the Dark Side, fans got to know them as likable characters that grew on us. Unlike Ben Solo who seems to have taken many of the worst traits of Prequel Anakin Skywalker. It would be nice to find other Solo kids kicking around a Galaxy Far Far Away… though I hope Rey isn’t one of them.
3. Knights of the Old Republic
This is one of the best Star Wars video games of all time. The stories are set so far in the past for Star Wars, that continuity would not be an issue. We could explore the founding of the Jedi Order, Darth Bane (who is already Canon) and see how the Sith broke off. In my opinion, we should stay more than 900 years before Return of the Jedi, so that we never show Yoda’s backstory. Some things need to stay unknown.
2. Yuuzhan Vong
This alien race would be the perfect villain to cause the Alliance and the Empire to team up. First appearing in [easyazon_link identifier=”0345428455″ locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]Star Wars The New Jedi Order Vector Prime[/easyazon_link], these warriors caused many problems for the Universe. Living on the travel capable planet of Zonama Sekot these aliens came from a galaxy even farther away. They live outside of the Force, so Jedi have a hard time fighting them. They use living creatures instead of technology and relish pain. The Yuuzhan Vong add horror to the Star Wars Universe.
1. Mara Jade
The eventual bride of Luke Skywalker would be amazing to add to the Star Wars Universe. First appearing in [easyazon_link identifier=”0553296124″ locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]The Thrawn Trilogy[/easyazon_link], Mara Jade was an assassin for the Emperor who fought her programming. She became one of the most loyal heroes in the New Republic. Even if they have to lose her connection to Luke in the current continuity, she would be a perfect female protagonist to host her own series. Also, her purple lightsaber beat Mace Windu’s by a few years.
What parts of the EU do you want to see added back into the canon? Let us know in the comments below.
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