Main Highlights:
– George Lucas is noted for not considering the Star Wars: Expanded Universe (EU) as part of the official Star Wars canon.
– He views the films he directed and the Clone Wars animated series as the authentic Star Wars universe.
– Despite its non-canon status, the Expanded Universe has gained recognition through Leslye Headland's series, The Acolyte.
– The Acolyte has incorporated several concepts and characters from the EU, thus canonizing parts of it.
A Closer Look at George Lucas and the Expanded Universe
George Lucas, the legendary filmmaker, took the world by storm in 1977 with his original Star Wars film. This epic space opera became a worldwide phenomenon, spawning sequels, prequels, and inspiring a myriad of spin-off media, together known as the Expanded Universe (EU). However, Lucas has often maintained a distinction between his works and the EU.
The EU kept the Star Wars essence alive during periods when Lucas wasn't crafting new entries. Despite its popularity, Lucas treated the EU as a distinct entity, indicating that he considered the stories not to be part of the true Star Wars universe.
Shift in Perception: The Expanded Universe Under Disney
The acquisition of Lucasfilm by Disney added another layer to the debate surrounding the EU. With this takeover, the EU was marked as non-canon and renamed Star Wars Legends. It seems Lucas viewed these spin-offs as supplementary media rather than integral parts of the Star Wars lore, as revealed in an interview with Starlog magazine.
However, Dave Filoni, Lucas' collaborator on the Clone Wars animated series and current Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm, echoes this sentiment. According to Filoni, Lucas recognized only his films and the animated shows as the true Star Wars canon.
The Acolyte Series: A Nod to the Expanded Universe
Despite the clear distinction made by Lucas, many Star Wars fans have appreciated and advocated for the EU. The Acolyte, a series by Leslye Headland, has turned a positive spotlight on the Expanded Universe.
The Acolyte, though faced with criticism for its storytelling and apparent deviations from the established lore, has successfully incorporated several EU concepts. These include the Trà kata fighting style and the mystical Cortosis metal which were previously only featured in EU comics.
Taking a step further, The Acolyte also introduced Darth Plagueis in a live-action format. Although briefly mentioned in Revenge of the Sith, most of Darth Plagueis's story is fleshed out in the EU. The Acolyte's potential season 2 may further delve into this narrative, thus canonizing more of the EU.
In Conclusion: An Ongoing Star Wars Evolution
It's interesting to observe how the Star Wars universe continues to evolve and expand beyond its original framework. Despite Lucas' reservations, it's clear that the Expanded Universe has played a significant role in this growth. Thanks to projects like The Acolyte, more aspects of the EU are finding their way into Star Wars' official canon.
The Acolyte is currently available for streaming on Disney+. This series stands as an example of how the Star Wars franchise can creatively incorporate elements of the Expanded Universe, granting them a place in the wider Star Wars lore. It seems the line between canon and non-canon within the Star Wars universe continues to blur, much to the delight of many fans.
As they say in the Star Wars universe, “The Force is strong with this one”.
