A Long Time Ago In a Galaxy Far, Far Away.... - Star Wars General Discussion
- Thread starter SHIELD Agent 47
- Start date
She should have been gone after the Sequels debacle, but better late than never I suppose. Not that Filoni is perfect (he definitely has his blind spots and weaknesses) but the good has outweighed the bad IMHO.
WOOT!
Not to hate on Kennedy, but Filoni was the chosen successor and should have been at the helm from the beginning. I have honestly enjoyed everything he ahs done with the franchise so I am stoked to see what they do next!
Not to hate on Kennedy, but Filoni was the chosen successor and should have been at the helm from the beginning. I have honestly enjoyed everything he ahs done with the franchise so I am stoked to see what they do next!
While its good that Kennedy is finally going, the choice of sucessor is rather questionable, sure a joint leadership seems like a good idea but is Dave really the right choice to be in charge creatively of the whole brand, It likely going to be a case of meet the new boss, same as the old boss, so I'll not hold my breath on this as it might be wiser if Disney just simply sits on the brand and only do license stuff for a few years instead of pumping out TV shows and the ocasonal movie that will cost a small fortune to make!
I’m only going to be happy about this as long as they can actually get something produced and out. Give me Rogue Squadron already!
But honestly I never had much of an issue with how Kennedy has done things. Honestly I think the larger problem goes higher than the Head of Lucasfilm and more with the PICs at Disney. It feels more like they want the merch machine it was 30 to 20 years ago without putting in the effort to make a good story most of the time.
That and they need to stop pleasing the older fanbase and continue making stuff for the newer generations. Let’s be honest people, we aren’t getting any younger and only harder to please. I’m not saying that I think the previous tenure was perfect. Far from it, but you can see the divisions already. The older generations tend to hate anything not OT, the next generation tend to actually like the Prequels, and the kids today do tend to like the characters of the sequels.
Most of us have never known a world without Star Wars at this point. But right now it feels like we need to reinvent the lightsaber. The Saga as a whole has too many people trying to make it their own that it never works for anyone. So hard stop. No Skywalkers, no Empire/First Order. No returning characters. Either jump ahead far enough that the Skywalker saga is legend, or back far enough that Yoda hasn’t been born yet. This way there’s nothing to expect of the characters or worlds of involved. Keep certain aspects of technology and force useage, bring back familiar aliens or planets but do not have anything to do with anything from the Skywalkers.
But honestly I never had much of an issue with how Kennedy has done things. Honestly I think the larger problem goes higher than the Head of Lucasfilm and more with the PICs at Disney. It feels more like they want the merch machine it was 30 to 20 years ago without putting in the effort to make a good story most of the time.
That and they need to stop pleasing the older fanbase and continue making stuff for the newer generations. Let’s be honest people, we aren’t getting any younger and only harder to please. I’m not saying that I think the previous tenure was perfect. Far from it, but you can see the divisions already. The older generations tend to hate anything not OT, the next generation tend to actually like the Prequels, and the kids today do tend to like the characters of the sequels.
Most of us have never known a world without Star Wars at this point. But right now it feels like we need to reinvent the lightsaber. The Saga as a whole has too many people trying to make it their own that it never works for anyone. So hard stop. No Skywalkers, no Empire/First Order. No returning characters. Either jump ahead far enough that the Skywalker saga is legend, or back far enough that Yoda hasn’t been born yet. This way there’s nothing to expect of the characters or worlds of involved. Keep certain aspects of technology and force useage, bring back familiar aliens or planets but do not have anything to do with anything from the Skywalkers.
I did go on the record, back when post-Di$ney acquisition storylines were first announced, as saying the the first New Tenure story arc should have been set a lot longer ago....
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Pius Dea Crusades
The Pius Dea Crusades, also known as Contispex's Crusades, were a series of conflicts that lasted from 11,965 BBY to 10,966 BBY, and served as the defining events of the Pius Dea Era. The Pius Dea were a prominent religious sect with humanocentric and militaristic tendencies that emerged in the...
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Honestly, I'll admit, I'm not sure what I want Star Wars to do next.
Because...the story really should be done, now. We've come full circle. We're good. We COULD stop now. We won't, because money, but still.
So, assuming that we WILL be forced to continue, no matter what, what should we do? Well, it seems like a lot of people liked Andor. It seems like the larger fan base REALLY wants to turn Star Wars into this tense, darker political thriller. And it seems like they want Star Wars to get away from the Jedi and the Sith. Between the Mandalorian and Andor, it seems like the larger fan base just wants to get away from that stuff as much as possible. Or, at least, they want the franchise to explore the "Grey Side" of the Force, with different kinds of "wild" Force Users. At least that's my impression of things.
The thing is...that's not me or my opinion. I kind of miss "swashbuckling" Star Wars. The Star Wars that wasn't quite so...black on brown on grey? I kind of miss the more "colorful" side of Star Wars. It feels like making Star Wars too serious and dark is kind of missing the point of the series. To me, it feels like the reaction of making Batman super-serious and dark after the Adam West show, with stuff like The Dark Knight Returns or The Killing Joke. Everyone wants their franchise to be taken SO seriously, that they're removing all the "fun", and wanting to get really "artsy" to prove it's "mature". And I'm kind of hankering for something more like "The Brave and the Bold". I don't know. And the Jedi and Sith stuff is the most interesting and unique part of Star Wars, to me. Without the Force, Star Wars is just another show about space marines. And, to be fair, we did just get Skeleton Crew, which I thought was pretty fun. But, it just seems like the more "politically driven" shows are getting more love?
And that's one of the bigger problems, right there. We definitely have a fractured fan base. So many different sides of the fandom want such diametrically opposing things, there's no way to appease everyone, or even a majority at this point.
Whatever they do next, I think we can all agree that they should have some sort of PLAN. Like...a actual STORY they want to tell. You know...like they SHOULD have had for the Sequel Trilogy, but for some reason didn't? For some reason, they thought it was a great idea to turn a multi-billion dollar franchise into the most expensive game of telephone ever.
And, to be fair, we have seen that Disney IS capable of doing that with Star Wars. They did that with all the High Republic stuff. They just...didn't do it for the huge, expensive movies for some reason. I'll admit, I'm not the biggest High Republic fan out there. I feel like it was a little too slow for it's own good. And a little too similar to the Old Republic to really stand out. But, they did have a overarching story that they told over the course of years. So, Disney CAN do it.
I don't even think the next phase of Star Wars even necessarily NEEDS to revolve around another Trilogy of movies. Just make a few one-shot shot movies in the same setting or dealing with different angles of the same problem. Like the early Marvel/Avengers movies. Build up to forming your new Star Wars "Avengers", maybe. One-shot movies giving character spotlights to each of the new characters, before they come together to do something big together. That way we get around the "ensemble problem" of having too many characters to focus on in some of these movies. I feel like we never really got to know Poe or Finn as well as we should have in the Sequel Trilogy, and that's because there were so many other characters to introduce and focus on. Maybe a structure like this could help fix that?
And, personally, I think I'd prefer it if we went forward in the timeline, instead of back. We've gone backwards a few different times. The Old Republic, Tales of the Jedi, Dawn of the Jedi, High Republic, and even the Prequel/Clone Wars Era. But, we barely ever move more than one generation forward. So, I'd like to see that change.
Y'know, part of me would kind of like to see them adapt the Ostrander/Duursema Legacy comics. Flashing forward 100 years. Doing a pre-made story of some kind would help them actually have a plan and stick to it. But, I'll admit, it's probably a little too mired in the Old Expanded Universe to be used too faithfully. I mean...I guess Cade would have to be Rey's great-grandson in this new adaptation? That'd be weird. Interesting, but you would need to change a few things.
Speaking of the Old Expanded Universe...am I crazy for wanting a Sequel Trilogy/Expanded Universe crossover? I know everyone seems sick of the multiverse in everything. But, personally, I'm still a sucker for it. And it'd actually be kind of interesting to see the New Jedi Order cross over with the Sequel Era characters. Compare and contrast where we ended up, at around the same timeframe. Have Ben and Jacen fight in a Force Ghost duel. Have Sequel Era Chewbacca reunite with New Order Era Han. There's stuff you could do. I guess this is really more of a "comic book" level idea, rather than something fit for a movie. Mainstream audiences would have NO idea what's going on. But, I think I'd dig it.
Otherwise, let's flash forward around 1000 years. Just to give us a chance to get a different setting. But, what kind?
Well, we could go topical, and have a Droid uprising. In the modern day, the Droids are basically on the same level as people. So, in a 1000 years, how do you deal with Droids that are FAR more advanced than organics? Droids that are capable of SO MUCH more than any organic civilization can even dream of. Droids that have outgrown organic society. Although, technology is weird in Star Wars. There really haven't been any notable technological advancements in-universe for thousands of years. They've had warp-speed capable tech forever and just kind of plateaued. So, while it would be nice to see SOME technological changes in the universe in a 1000 years, I'm not sure if that's actually fitting for the setting. And while a robot uprising would be pretty topical right now...maybe it's TOO topical? Maybe it just wouldn't be much fun to do that, with it almost happening in real life, too. People want escapism, not a lecture. Plus, we JUST got something pretty similar with the Dark Droids event from the Marvel comics. I like the idea, but I don't love it.
Maybe we could bring the Rakatan/Builders back? It'd be interesting to bring back the advanced alien race who "built" this entire galaxy in the first place. The only problem is...I have no idea how "canon" they actually are, anymore? Plus, I'll admit, the Rakatan just don't have the most visually imposing design for a new villain faction. They're a little derpy. So, maybe reveal that the Rakatan have been conquered by a more warlike alien empire, and this new empire is basically touring all the lands they've won in battle? The Rakatan becoming a slave race, that would need to be freed to turn the tide. And this new warlike alien race could be something like the Yuuzhan Vong. Probably not exactly the Vong, since fans seem to have soured on them over the years. But, I do love the idea of a "alien invasion" happening in the Star Wars movies. And we've already done Clone-Palpatine, and Thrawn in the mainline universe. Why not steal a few more ideas from the old EU?
Or maybe we could do something with Kyber Crystals? I don't know, over the years, all the Lightsaber lore has gotten a bit odd. Nowadays, Kyber Crystals basically have wills of their own and they choose their own wielders. They can be "broken" and "repaired". It'd be interesting if the Kyber Crystals basically began to evolve into their own beings. Like...some sort of light-based hologram civilization. Becoming literal luminous beings of light with a crystal core. That way their entire body can be made out of "lightsaber". Maybe even make them "Light-Side Villains", since we've already had Dark Side Villains for this entire franchise. If that's even possible with the lore. But, making the Kyber extremists who see everything as a black or white choice and harshly punishing any crime would be interesting enough, maybe? Like avenging angels judging humanity. I'll admit, it needs work.
But, maybe we should do something a little more new? What about this for a high concept? Someone invents a piece of technology that allows ANYONE to use the Force. Everyone suddenly has Force powers, thanks to this new bracelet everyone's wearing. And now, all of society has to deal with everyone being able to make things float with their mind and other force powers. Psychically enhanced social media. Con artists able to use Mind Tricks on you in back alleys. Fights between couples turning into Force explosions in apartments. Cops able to spy on you in your home by astral projecting themselves. Politicians who suddenly seem a little TOO charming? Having the corporation behind this new technology being the bad guys might be a little cliche. But, sometimes cliches work. And with all these new Force people everywhere, maybe we could do something with the Dark Side of the Force itself becoming personified? Sort of like the Mortis Gods. The Light and Dark Sides being able to influence more people than ever before through this technology? Technology that ends up changing the "mystical" landscape of the galaxy, allowing the Force itself to change and evolve? Everyone can use the Force, but no one has Jedi training or self control. Everyone's a Force User, but the Jedi are basically extinct. I think that'd be a interesting new setting for a new story to play out. There's story possibilities there. I think this is probably the best idea I've got.
So, I don't know, I'm just kind of spit-balling ideas, at this point. I'm really not sure what I'd do, if Disney gave me the keys to the kingdom. I do not envy Filoni this job. Every action is going to be micro-analyzed by the fans. I don't know what could get fans to be less critical of this franchise, at this point. But, hopefully, he's able to come up with something to give Star Wars a win.
Because...the story really should be done, now. We've come full circle. We're good. We COULD stop now. We won't, because money, but still.
So, assuming that we WILL be forced to continue, no matter what, what should we do? Well, it seems like a lot of people liked Andor. It seems like the larger fan base REALLY wants to turn Star Wars into this tense, darker political thriller. And it seems like they want Star Wars to get away from the Jedi and the Sith. Between the Mandalorian and Andor, it seems like the larger fan base just wants to get away from that stuff as much as possible. Or, at least, they want the franchise to explore the "Grey Side" of the Force, with different kinds of "wild" Force Users. At least that's my impression of things.
The thing is...that's not me or my opinion. I kind of miss "swashbuckling" Star Wars. The Star Wars that wasn't quite so...black on brown on grey? I kind of miss the more "colorful" side of Star Wars. It feels like making Star Wars too serious and dark is kind of missing the point of the series. To me, it feels like the reaction of making Batman super-serious and dark after the Adam West show, with stuff like The Dark Knight Returns or The Killing Joke. Everyone wants their franchise to be taken SO seriously, that they're removing all the "fun", and wanting to get really "artsy" to prove it's "mature". And I'm kind of hankering for something more like "The Brave and the Bold". I don't know. And the Jedi and Sith stuff is the most interesting and unique part of Star Wars, to me. Without the Force, Star Wars is just another show about space marines. And, to be fair, we did just get Skeleton Crew, which I thought was pretty fun. But, it just seems like the more "politically driven" shows are getting more love?
And that's one of the bigger problems, right there. We definitely have a fractured fan base. So many different sides of the fandom want such diametrically opposing things, there's no way to appease everyone, or even a majority at this point.
Whatever they do next, I think we can all agree that they should have some sort of PLAN. Like...a actual STORY they want to tell. You know...like they SHOULD have had for the Sequel Trilogy, but for some reason didn't? For some reason, they thought it was a great idea to turn a multi-billion dollar franchise into the most expensive game of telephone ever.
And, to be fair, we have seen that Disney IS capable of doing that with Star Wars. They did that with all the High Republic stuff. They just...didn't do it for the huge, expensive movies for some reason. I'll admit, I'm not the biggest High Republic fan out there. I feel like it was a little too slow for it's own good. And a little too similar to the Old Republic to really stand out. But, they did have a overarching story that they told over the course of years. So, Disney CAN do it.
I don't even think the next phase of Star Wars even necessarily NEEDS to revolve around another Trilogy of movies. Just make a few one-shot shot movies in the same setting or dealing with different angles of the same problem. Like the early Marvel/Avengers movies. Build up to forming your new Star Wars "Avengers", maybe. One-shot movies giving character spotlights to each of the new characters, before they come together to do something big together. That way we get around the "ensemble problem" of having too many characters to focus on in some of these movies. I feel like we never really got to know Poe or Finn as well as we should have in the Sequel Trilogy, and that's because there were so many other characters to introduce and focus on. Maybe a structure like this could help fix that?
And, personally, I think I'd prefer it if we went forward in the timeline, instead of back. We've gone backwards a few different times. The Old Republic, Tales of the Jedi, Dawn of the Jedi, High Republic, and even the Prequel/Clone Wars Era. But, we barely ever move more than one generation forward. So, I'd like to see that change.
Y'know, part of me would kind of like to see them adapt the Ostrander/Duursema Legacy comics. Flashing forward 100 years. Doing a pre-made story of some kind would help them actually have a plan and stick to it. But, I'll admit, it's probably a little too mired in the Old Expanded Universe to be used too faithfully. I mean...I guess Cade would have to be Rey's great-grandson in this new adaptation? That'd be weird. Interesting, but you would need to change a few things.
Speaking of the Old Expanded Universe...am I crazy for wanting a Sequel Trilogy/Expanded Universe crossover? I know everyone seems sick of the multiverse in everything. But, personally, I'm still a sucker for it. And it'd actually be kind of interesting to see the New Jedi Order cross over with the Sequel Era characters. Compare and contrast where we ended up, at around the same timeframe. Have Ben and Jacen fight in a Force Ghost duel. Have Sequel Era Chewbacca reunite with New Order Era Han. There's stuff you could do. I guess this is really more of a "comic book" level idea, rather than something fit for a movie. Mainstream audiences would have NO idea what's going on. But, I think I'd dig it.
Otherwise, let's flash forward around 1000 years. Just to give us a chance to get a different setting. But, what kind?
Well, we could go topical, and have a Droid uprising. In the modern day, the Droids are basically on the same level as people. So, in a 1000 years, how do you deal with Droids that are FAR more advanced than organics? Droids that are capable of SO MUCH more than any organic civilization can even dream of. Droids that have outgrown organic society. Although, technology is weird in Star Wars. There really haven't been any notable technological advancements in-universe for thousands of years. They've had warp-speed capable tech forever and just kind of plateaued. So, while it would be nice to see SOME technological changes in the universe in a 1000 years, I'm not sure if that's actually fitting for the setting. And while a robot uprising would be pretty topical right now...maybe it's TOO topical? Maybe it just wouldn't be much fun to do that, with it almost happening in real life, too. People want escapism, not a lecture. Plus, we JUST got something pretty similar with the Dark Droids event from the Marvel comics. I like the idea, but I don't love it.
Maybe we could bring the Rakatan/Builders back? It'd be interesting to bring back the advanced alien race who "built" this entire galaxy in the first place. The only problem is...I have no idea how "canon" they actually are, anymore? Plus, I'll admit, the Rakatan just don't have the most visually imposing design for a new villain faction. They're a little derpy. So, maybe reveal that the Rakatan have been conquered by a more warlike alien empire, and this new empire is basically touring all the lands they've won in battle? The Rakatan becoming a slave race, that would need to be freed to turn the tide. And this new warlike alien race could be something like the Yuuzhan Vong. Probably not exactly the Vong, since fans seem to have soured on them over the years. But, I do love the idea of a "alien invasion" happening in the Star Wars movies. And we've already done Clone-Palpatine, and Thrawn in the mainline universe. Why not steal a few more ideas from the old EU?
Or maybe we could do something with Kyber Crystals? I don't know, over the years, all the Lightsaber lore has gotten a bit odd. Nowadays, Kyber Crystals basically have wills of their own and they choose their own wielders. They can be "broken" and "repaired". It'd be interesting if the Kyber Crystals basically began to evolve into their own beings. Like...some sort of light-based hologram civilization. Becoming literal luminous beings of light with a crystal core. That way their entire body can be made out of "lightsaber". Maybe even make them "Light-Side Villains", since we've already had Dark Side Villains for this entire franchise. If that's even possible with the lore. But, making the Kyber extremists who see everything as a black or white choice and harshly punishing any crime would be interesting enough, maybe? Like avenging angels judging humanity. I'll admit, it needs work.
But, maybe we should do something a little more new? What about this for a high concept? Someone invents a piece of technology that allows ANYONE to use the Force. Everyone suddenly has Force powers, thanks to this new bracelet everyone's wearing. And now, all of society has to deal with everyone being able to make things float with their mind and other force powers. Psychically enhanced social media. Con artists able to use Mind Tricks on you in back alleys. Fights between couples turning into Force explosions in apartments. Cops able to spy on you in your home by astral projecting themselves. Politicians who suddenly seem a little TOO charming? Having the corporation behind this new technology being the bad guys might be a little cliche. But, sometimes cliches work. And with all these new Force people everywhere, maybe we could do something with the Dark Side of the Force itself becoming personified? Sort of like the Mortis Gods. The Light and Dark Sides being able to influence more people than ever before through this technology? Technology that ends up changing the "mystical" landscape of the galaxy, allowing the Force itself to change and evolve? Everyone can use the Force, but no one has Jedi training or self control. Everyone's a Force User, but the Jedi are basically extinct. I think that'd be a interesting new setting for a new story to play out. There's story possibilities there. I think this is probably the best idea I've got.
So, I don't know, I'm just kind of spit-balling ideas, at this point. I'm really not sure what I'd do, if Disney gave me the keys to the kingdom. I do not envy Filoni this job. Every action is going to be micro-analyzed by the fans. I don't know what could get fans to be less critical of this franchise, at this point. But, hopefully, he's able to come up with something to give Star Wars a win.
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One shot stories on a rather low budget is what best on the movie front, stop spending $200 million plus on a single movie and get the budget down, simply tell a entertaining story without being blogged down by a ton of lore and retcons, that's about the best thing to do, slowly and steadly rebuild trust with the fans after years of dising on them and chasing after phantoms, keep the larger political side of things to very small amount, just give hints of what happening on the larger scale but focus primary on the story at hand, also, maybe faithfully adapt some books or comics, ones that are well liked, not some random stuff that was made up and didn't go down well with the fandom! Star Fighter is kind of the best shot at this sort of thing, IF they do it right but I have my doults
My plan would be to lean into the samurai undertones that have always been part of Star Wars, and do the Sengoku Period In Space.
After the fall of galactic government, the galaxy has become a patchwork of independent warring states. The hyperlanes are prowled by pirates, mercenaries, and roving war fleets, each trying to defend their own patch of space. There have been a few attempts to unite the galaxy, either through diplomacy or military force, but they haven't come to much; between the well-meaning but ineffective Republic and the tyrannical Empire/First Order, most people are deeply skeptical of centralized government, especially in the Outer Rim.
Potential states could include the Arkanis Protectorate (governed from Tatooine by Boba Fett's successors), the Mandalorian Freehold (stretching from Mandalore to Nevarro), the resurgent Hutt Empire, the Corporate Sector Authority (which has now fully conquered Trianii space), the Mon Calamari Republic (now expanded to include Lothal), etc.
The Jedi are wandering do-gooders, midway between ronin and Buddhist monks. Rather than receiving official missions, Jedi wander wherever the Force guides them. There's no organized Temple or Council (or if there is, they lack the reach and political influence they once enjoyed). They no longer take younglings, but instead find young adult Force-sensitives as they stumble across them (resulting in a loose-knit Order that is not nearly as cohesive as it was under the Republic).
(This needn't be just a trilogy; I'm setting up a playground comparable to the Galactic Civil War or the Clone Wars, where novelists, comic writers, animators, game designers, and kids-with-toys can find plenty of gaps to fill in --this was another of the flaws of the Sequel Trilogy, IMHO.)
After setting up this status quo, we learn (through a wandering Mifune-like Jedi and their photogenic young apprentice) of a new threat appearing from Wild Space. At first believed to be the returning Sith, or some other kind of Dark Jedi, they turn out to be something far worse; the Yuuzhan Vong.
The trilogy now focuses on our hero reconvening a Council of Jedi for guidance; in order to survive the invasion, the Galaxy must be united, but who is there to do it?
Some support a bold young military daredevil, like a cross between Han Solo and Oda Nobunaga. Others prefer a more diplomatic unifier (maybe a new Leia-like figure). The Jedi must choose who to support, and they do not all agree.
As the Vong threat grows (and the Jedi and their allies scramble to learn more valuable intel), characters are pulled and polarized --given the threat, some Jedi start feeling that the Dark Side is justified. If violence and bribery are needed to establish a united front, then maybe building a militarized Empire is the way to go. . .
Some Jedi would absolutely be curious about how the Vong can be invisible to the Force, which might lead them to investigate some old pre-Jedi-era ruins, seeking a greater understanding, maybe even meeting Bendu.
Meanwhile, others start poking around what used to be Sith territory, out past Korriban, looking only for a weapon.
After the fall of galactic government, the galaxy has become a patchwork of independent warring states. The hyperlanes are prowled by pirates, mercenaries, and roving war fleets, each trying to defend their own patch of space. There have been a few attempts to unite the galaxy, either through diplomacy or military force, but they haven't come to much; between the well-meaning but ineffective Republic and the tyrannical Empire/First Order, most people are deeply skeptical of centralized government, especially in the Outer Rim.
Potential states could include the Arkanis Protectorate (governed from Tatooine by Boba Fett's successors), the Mandalorian Freehold (stretching from Mandalore to Nevarro), the resurgent Hutt Empire, the Corporate Sector Authority (which has now fully conquered Trianii space), the Mon Calamari Republic (now expanded to include Lothal), etc.
The Jedi are wandering do-gooders, midway between ronin and Buddhist monks. Rather than receiving official missions, Jedi wander wherever the Force guides them. There's no organized Temple or Council (or if there is, they lack the reach and political influence they once enjoyed). They no longer take younglings, but instead find young adult Force-sensitives as they stumble across them (resulting in a loose-knit Order that is not nearly as cohesive as it was under the Republic).
(This needn't be just a trilogy; I'm setting up a playground comparable to the Galactic Civil War or the Clone Wars, where novelists, comic writers, animators, game designers, and kids-with-toys can find plenty of gaps to fill in --this was another of the flaws of the Sequel Trilogy, IMHO.)
After setting up this status quo, we learn (through a wandering Mifune-like Jedi and their photogenic young apprentice) of a new threat appearing from Wild Space. At first believed to be the returning Sith, or some other kind of Dark Jedi, they turn out to be something far worse; the Yuuzhan Vong.
The trilogy now focuses on our hero reconvening a Council of Jedi for guidance; in order to survive the invasion, the Galaxy must be united, but who is there to do it?
Some support a bold young military daredevil, like a cross between Han Solo and Oda Nobunaga. Others prefer a more diplomatic unifier (maybe a new Leia-like figure). The Jedi must choose who to support, and they do not all agree.
As the Vong threat grows (and the Jedi and their allies scramble to learn more valuable intel), characters are pulled and polarized --given the threat, some Jedi start feeling that the Dark Side is justified. If violence and bribery are needed to establish a united front, then maybe building a militarized Empire is the way to go. . .
Some Jedi would absolutely be curious about how the Vong can be invisible to the Force, which might lead them to investigate some old pre-Jedi-era ruins, seeking a greater understanding, maybe even meeting Bendu.
Meanwhile, others start poking around what used to be Sith territory, out past Korriban, looking only for a weapon.
I would start over. Forget Legends/Canon. Expanded Universe, take three.
I'm no writer, so I have no grand vision for where the story should go or what era to focus on. I would hire actual writers and let them figure all that out. I would just give them a couple guardrails.
1: One jedi ever fell to the Dark Side but managed to give it up, and his name is Anakin Skywalker. No one else ever gave it up. No one. Ever. No, not your character either.
2: The Dark Side died with Palpatine. No exceptions. Otherwise I don't much care what you do with a post ROTJ era. Have fun. Except...
3: Your favorite background jedi didn't survive Order 66. Sorry. It was actually a big deal.
4: Your favorite villain died too. Sorry. They may have deserved a better death but that's not how it works. Hate leads to suffering, and an abrupt and undignified end.
5: If you wish to tell stories in the OT era, you do not get to break Vader's mask to expose one of his eyes. You've been beaten to the punch on this visual, if you haven't noticed.
I'm no writer, so I have no grand vision for where the story should go or what era to focus on. I would hire actual writers and let them figure all that out. I would just give them a couple guardrails.
1: One jedi ever fell to the Dark Side but managed to give it up, and his name is Anakin Skywalker. No one else ever gave it up. No one. Ever. No, not your character either.
2: The Dark Side died with Palpatine. No exceptions. Otherwise I don't much care what you do with a post ROTJ era. Have fun. Except...
3: Your favorite background jedi didn't survive Order 66. Sorry. It was actually a big deal.
4: Your favorite villain died too. Sorry. They may have deserved a better death but that's not how it works. Hate leads to suffering, and an abrupt and undignified end.
5: If you wish to tell stories in the OT era, you do not get to break Vader's mask to expose one of his eyes. You've been beaten to the punch on this visual, if you haven't noticed.
Anybody who thinks the Dark Side would die with Palpatine doesn't really understand The Force, or humanity for that matter.
For that matter, to think that Order 66 could possibly have eliminated 100% of the Jedi is foolishness itself.
For that matter, to think that Order 66 could possibly have eliminated 100% of the Jedi is foolishness itself.
I didn't read a TON of EU novels back in the day, but I did read a few. I did like the idea that the Empire didn't just disappear when Palpatine died, but continued on in a reduced, but still significant form that existed side-by-side with the New Republic in an alternating hot and cold war. That's an environment pretty thick with story possibilities.
Also like the idea of a new, larger threat that forces these previous enemies to work together. It's an old trope, but it's used so often because it works. I never read the Yuuzhan Vong books, so I don't have any firsthand thoughts about how well they in particular worked, but something like that. A returning Rakata, like Zaky said, or an expansionist Hutt empire or some previously unknown race from the unexplored regions of the galaxy. Something new instead of constant Jedi vs. Sith.
Also like the idea of a new, larger threat that forces these previous enemies to work together. It's an old trope, but it's used so often because it works. I never read the Yuuzhan Vong books, so I don't have any firsthand thoughts about how well they in particular worked, but something like that. A returning Rakata, like Zaky said, or an expansionist Hutt empire or some previously unknown race from the unexplored regions of the galaxy. Something new instead of constant Jedi vs. Sith.
With the exception of #3 and especially #5, I think these are all pretty much awful ideas. Sorry.
Nah, just completely throw everything out and start fresh with the basic concepts. The Jedi and Sith arent religious orders; they're sports teams. Everyone goes wild at whatever they call their super bowl. Its such a big deal that the entire galaxy stops. The Force isn't some quasi-magical BS; its what they call talent. Someone strong in the force, just means they're gonna own everyone come competition time. Its why both teams struggle to get the best ones they can and why Anakin getting traded to the Sith was a big deal that his fans still haven't recovered from, and neither has he since his wife took his kids in the divorce and has never gotten to see them. With the Sith now having him the Jedi's have never one a competiton since then. This is why Luke is the new Hope. Coach Obi Wan realizes that wholly jive this kid has the force like he's not seen since Anakin, surely he can bring the Jedi back to prominence!
"Pass on what you have learned" goes for the Dark Side as well. With Palpatine gone, there is no one left to pass it on. It's a dynasty that's gone extinct. Someone who wanted to start it up again would have to start from scratch. But why would someone want to? The whole mystique of the Dark Side is the belief that you cannot possibly ever give it up once you try it. Forever will it dominate your destiny and all. For the Jedi, that was a warning. For the Sith, that was the pitch. No one has ever given it up. You won't be the first. It's too good.
That's why Anakin matters. He didn't just break the line of succession. He broke the mystique of the Dark Side in the process. Millennia of marketing fell down that elevator shaft.
I can think of two truly exceptional jedi that managed to survive. I would need other survivors to be on their level. I could allow it but a writer would need to give me one hell of a pitch.
I'm all for this. Leave the Dark Side out of it, but yes. Explore this.
In my pitch for Post-RotJ Star Wars, of all the systems that made up the Republic-that-became-Empire, when Palpatine died they'd split up basically like this:
35% remains the Empire. There's 10,000 years of momentum behind the original Republic/Empire, so that's gonna be hard to break up just because one guy at the top died. I would definitely drop the Sith aspects of it, as Palpatine kept all of that pretty close to the chest. This is a "secular" Empire, like the boardroom scene in A New Hope.
30% immediately join up with the New Republic. Technically smaller and less powerful than the remaining Empire, but too big for them to just directly attack.
10% of systems decide to remain independent, but are on good terms with the New Republic
10% are run by various ex-Imperial warlords. All of them see themselves as the "true heir" to the Empire, but don't have enough power to control more than a few systems.
The remaining systems run the gamut. Some are viciously independent and want nothing to do with either side. Some are taken over by the Hutts or other non-Emprire/Republic groups. Some are so unimportant as to be basically forgotten by all larger parties.