Help Me George Lucas, You’re My Only Hope! The Fate of the Expanded Universe

Summary

The Star Wars fan community is in a state of despair over Disney’s decision to discard the expanded universe in order to streamline the franchise’s continuity. The author highlights the numerous storylines that have been erased from the canon and contemplates the potential impact of this move on the future of Star Wars.

Introduction
What is the Expanded Universe and Why is it Important?
Why Did Disney Choose to Abandon the Expanded Universe?
What Are the Implications of This Decision for the Future of Star Wars?
Can Fans Keep the Expanded Universe Alive Through Fan Fiction?
Conclusion

Introduction

Star Wars fans all over the world are in a state of shock and grief as Disney has chosen to discard the Expanded Universe. For years, fans of the franchise have followed the epic saga of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and others through books, comics, and video games that were part of a vast and interconnected universe. However, with the announcement of the sequel movies, Disney made a controversial decision to abandon the Expanded Universe, leaving fans with many unanswered questions and a great sense of uncertainty.

What is the Expanded Universe and Why is it Important?

The Expanded Universe (EU) represented the entire body of Star Wars lore that existed outside of the original trilogy and the prequel movies. From novels to comic books, animated series, and video games, the EU was a vast and complex universe of its own. For decades, authors, artists, and game designers had been creating rich and fascinating stories, shaping characters, and expanding the Star Wars narrative. The EU was a way for hardcore fans to dive deeper into the Star Wars universe, explore new worlds and cultures, and encounter new heroes and villains.

Why Did Disney Choose to Abandon the Expanded Universe?

Disney’s decision to discard the Expanded Universe was not a surprise for many fans. The company wanted to create a new continuity for the sequel trilogy that was unencumbered by the characters and events of the EU. Furthermore, Disney wanted to streamline the franchise’s overarching storyline, ensuring that all future movies, TV shows, and other media would form a cohesive and unified narrative that could attract new audiences and satisfy longtime fans. While many EU enthusiasts have criticized Disney’s decision, others have acknowledged the need for a fresh start and see it as an opportunity for new stories and characters to be created.

What Are the Implications of This Decision for the Future of Star Wars?

The abandonment of the Expanded Universe has significant implications for the future of Star Wars. First, many beloved storylines, characters, and events will be erased from the canon, leaving fans with unanswered questions and a great sense of loss. However, Disney’s decision also opens up new opportunities for the franchise. With a clean slate, directors, writers, and artists can explore new directions for the Star Wars universe, prove themselves to be reliable to an audience, afford different ways of interest to the audience and introduce new and compelling storylines.

Can Fans Keep the Expanded Universe Alive Through Fan Fiction?

For years, Star Wars fans have kept the franchise alive through their love of the Expanded Universe. Many have written their own stories, created their own artwork, and even designed their own video games. While some have been critical of fan fiction, others see it as a way to keep the spirit of the Expanded Universe alive and well. The author, however, shows concern about the creative direction of such pieces and warns that it might not be advisable for fans to try to be the sole maintainers of the Expanded Universe.

Conclusion

Fans of Star Wars are truly feeling the lost weight of their favourite universe after Disney abandoned much of the Expanded Universe continuity in order to streamline the franchise for new audiences. While the decision has generated mixed reactions, one thing remains clear: the Expanded Universe has left an indelible mark on the franchise, and its legacy will continue to inspire new generations of Star Wars enthusiasts. Only time and the direction George Lucas and Disney take, will tell the future of this beloved science-fiction franchise.