Since the publication of Heir to the Empire in 1991 Luke and Leia have been involved in almost every Star Wars novel published. We followed intently Luke's triumphs and failures in trying to recreate the Jedi Order, we revelled at Han and Leia's marriage, grew to love their three children just as much as they did and empathised with Luke's attempts at love before he finally realised that Mara Jade was his true love.
An important reason why authors include these characters is so that, as Timothy Zahn explains, "people who might be starting Star Wars books for the first time [...] wouldn’t be completely lost"^[2] and can immediately relate to a character that they know from the films. This is important in maintaining Star Wars' popularity with both new and old readers as Star Wars novels are ranked the second most popular book series with total world sales of over 750 million books sold since 1976^[3]. So our post-Return of the Jedi heroes have been primary in driving not only the novel sales, but also the plotlines forward. However not everyone agrees with how their stories should unfold. When it was initially launched, The New Jedi Order did not win the support of many fans or even some established authors, particularly issues with with the series' progression and loathing of Chewbacca's death at the beginning of the series^[4]. Even though the Star Wars galaxy was virtually destroyed by the alien Vong's invasion and the surviving heroes had won, there was still apparently more to come in another multi-novel story arc. Taking an aging Luke and Leia (they would be chronologically 60 years-old), Legacy of the Force places them in yet another power struggle for the galaxy that was told over a further nine novels. It is no surprise then that according to the novel writers, Luke and Leia have never experienced real peace since destroying the second Death Star.
So when George Lucas announced that the proposed television series would not involve the Skywalkers because the series would be set between-the-trilogies (i.e. after the events of Revenge of the Sith and before A New Hope) and Luke and Leia would be growing up during this period, it offered an ideal opportunity to develop novels, plotlines and story arcs that do not require Luke and Leia's presence. With a time-span of 18 years on the Star Wars timeline, there is no doubt that there is ample material in this period for both novel and television series: the hunt for the surviving Jedi after Order 66; the expansion of imperial control across the galaxy; the evolution of clone trooper to storm trooper; the beginning of the rebellion and formation of the Rebel Alliance; the first battles of the Galactic Civil War; are just a few possible storylines that can be examined in either novel, television or both mediums without requiring Luke or Leia to drive the story forward. Instead we can look forward to novels that take other film characters previously unheard of in novels and place them in plot-driving positions. Novels such as Death Star (2007) by Steve Perry and Michael Reeves heavily featured Admiral Motti and Grand Moff Tarkin as well as 'guest' appearances by Han and Chewbacca. Later this year we can expect the Coruscant Night trilogy by Micheal Reeves that will be another between-the-trilogies novel and, as well as new characters to meet, we can also expect to see a number of appearances by Darth Vader and the Emperor so that readers can relate to known film characters.
Certainly we can expect more and more novels to be published that touch on this important time in the Star Wars timeline and it is perhaps without coincidence that the novel license is due for renewal this year and so far it has been very quiet from Sue Rostini and LucasBooks regarding this important contract. The planned television series for 2009 will offer the novel licensee an opportunity to write tie-in novels that feature the new television characters as well as those characters who had secondary or minor roles in the films. There is also an opening to include 'guest' appearances by Han or Chewbacca (just as they appeared in Death Star), C-3PO, R2-D2 or even a 'guest villain' such as Darth Vader.

George Lucas's comments regarding the exclusion of the Skywalkers from the television series are, of course, entirely ascribable to the proposed television series and not to any planned novels. However, this website believes that the time has come for Luke and Leia to get some rest after seventeen years of continuous storytelling and allow other stories to be told that don't "involve the Skywalkers".

• [1] as quoted in Star Wars Insider #94, Titan Magazines, 2007
• [2] quote from interview with Shaun Farrell, March 2006 (souce: FarSector.com)
• [3] source: Wikipedia (wikipedia.com)
• [4] Timothy Zahn: "I don’t think that killing off major characters really fits the style and overall 'feel' of the Star Wars universe", First In: Timothy Zahn and Star Wars, fractalmatter.com, November 2007 (source: FractalMatter.com)

© 2008 swbooks.co.uk.

3 comments

In my humble opinion as a STAR WARS Fanboy (man now) for nearly 30 years... I think it's time to let the GIANT rest for good!  There's no where else to go.  I cannot personally imagine STAR WARS without the SKYWALKERS. In the same token, a story can be repetitively overdone with the same characters or related characters/story's.  Similiar to how Gene Rodenberry's STAR TREK has warp sped me to death! I'am or will be 40 years old October this year. I was there when STAR WARS (NOW Called Episode IV: A NEW HOPE) first flashed on the BIG screen. That moment is still with me! It's quite a different feeling from VIDEO TAPE, DVD and Blue Ray. Those formats are all nice and cool and technologically sophisticated gadgets to bring classic, contemporary and 21st Century movies to home entertainment. But, I must say to have seen it on the silver screen in 1977 is like Woodstock or a child first being born (that moment cannot ever be repeated quite the same again). The novels have been great (although I'm not too entirely impressed by the NEW JEDI ORDER) I don't want to see such a precious and great series be overblown and become a CASH COW with no end in sight.  It takes away from the STAR WARS mytho which I was afraid would happen once Lucasfilm allowed Licensing for the Expanded Universe. Don't get me wrong, I love the EU but it's time to say Peace To U, We Out!!!  Leave well enough alone and George handle it. I mean hey, we still don't even know where Yoda comes from or the name of his species.  Let's stay in the universe that already exists and call it a day! Let's pray for the day when old George L. will finally release ALL (I mean ALL) SIX Episodes on DVD in a box set with AALLLL The Deleted Scenes!!! Yeah baby! Yeah!

I have to whole-heartedly disagree.  While I loved the OT as a kid, played with my action figures (THEY'RE NOT DOLLS, DAMMIT!) til they were completely worn out, the EU and the Prequels made me fall in love with Star Wars all over again.

When the Heir to the Empire trilogy came out, I could not have been happier.  I own every SW novel, with the exception of the last few NJO books.  My daughter who is now 8 has grown up with the Prequels and it's been awesome to see her react the same way I did when I was her age.  She's got a bunch of the new action figures, several of the kids book and she and her cousins and friends play "Star Wars" all the time.

I can't wait for the new "Clone Wars" series this year and the live action show will be the biggest show on television.   They won't have the Skywalkers, won't have the Solos and that'll be OK.  The SW galaxy has grown beyond the original central characters; it's grown beyond the original mythos of achieving power, losing everything and the redemption that follows.  The EU has blasted new characters, new story arcs, new everything into our lives.

I love Thrawn, Mara, Jagged Fel, the new Boba, Admiral Pelleon (God rest his soul).  My favorite novel is "Shatterpoint" (no Big Three there) and again, that's OK.

SW has grown beyond the box that Lucas built it within.  As long as it continues to evolve in relevant, meaningful and interesting ways, it should go on forever.  Adding new voices - new authors, new writers, new programmers, new visionaries - will help keep it all fresh.

I love it all and hope it goes on forever...

I'm not sorry but who cares about blue ray and putting 6 movies in one box... I want more books!  Also I would like to see all the novels in audio book format because I like to listen to them after I read them.  Lately it's just Legacy of the Force!  Long live Lucas Licensing!