STAR WARS: LEGENDS VS CANON - HOW CHARACTERS' STORIES DIFFER

Dive into the fascinating world of Star Wars timelines, where the beloved Ewok Wicket W. Warrick becomes a prime example of how Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm dramatically reshaped familiar narratives. Discover the intricate split between the original Expanded Universe (now Legends) and the new Canon, which has transformed character arcs and storytelling in ways fans never expected. From Wicket’s alternative paths of leadership and family to the broader implications for the Star Wars universe, this exploration reveals how a single franchise can exist in multiple compelling realities simultaneously. What secrets lie between these parallel narratives, and how do they change everything we thought we knew about our favorite characters?

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Quick Highlights:

Disney's acquisition of Star Wars in 2014 brought significant structural changes.
The franchise is now divided into two main continuities: Canon and Legends.
Character arcs, such as Wicket W. Warrick's, vary between these timelines.

Disney's Overhaul: Canon and Legends

Since Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2014, the Star Wars franchise has seen a major reorganization. One of the most notable shifts was the introduction of two separate timelines: the official "Canon" and the pre-existing stories rebranded as "Legends." This separation allowed Disney's creative team to craft a fresh narrative while respecting the legacy of past works.

Origins of Legends and Canon

The Legends continuity encompasses stories developed between 1976 and 2014, covering books, comics, and other media. The redefined canon, on the other hand, consists of the original trilogy, prequel trilogy, and select works like Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series and film. This distinction set the stage for new and old storylines to co-exist, with characters often having different fates depending on which timeline is being explored.

Wicket W. Warrick Across Timelines

Wicket W. Warrick, the lovable Ewok from Return of the Jedi, showcases the differences between Canon and Legends. In Legends, Wicket marries Kneesaa, his childhood friend, and the pair become leaders of their village. In the Canon timeline, Wicket's story takes a simpler turn. He appears briefly in The Rise of Skywalker, where he is seen alongside his son, Pommet Warrick, though his role or status within his community is not elaborated on in this continuity.

Impact on Star Wars Storytelling

The division between Canon and Legends continues to carve different paths for characters and creates lively discussions among fans. With two narrative streams available, the franchise offers varied interpretations of its universe, enriching the Star Wars experience for those who explore both timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Star Wars Canon and Legends?

Star Wars Canon refers to the official storyline recognized by Lucasfilm, including movies, TV shows, and select books. Legends, on the other hand, consists of older stories from the Expanded Universe that are no longer part of the official continuity but still cherished by fans.

Which Star Wars characters have different backstories in Canon versus Legends?

Characters like Luke Skywalker, Mara Jade, Thrawn, and Boba Fett have significantly different backstories in Canon and Legends. For instance, Mara Jade plays a major role as Luke’s wife in Legends, but she does not exist in Canon.

How is Thrawn’s story different in Canon and Legends?

In Legends, Thrawn is a Grand Admiral who returns to challenge the New Republic after the Empire’s fall, detailed in the “Heir to the Empire” trilogy. In Canon, he is introduced during the events of Star Wars: Rebels, serving primarily under the Empire before the Rebel Alliance’s victory.

Did Boba Fett survive the Sarlacc Pit in both Canon and Legends?

Yes, in both Canon and Legends, Boba Fett survives the Sarlacc Pit. However, the methods of his escape and the subsequent details of his life differ greatly between the two, with Canon exploring his survival in “The Book of Boba Fett” while Legends has older, more detailed tales.

Is Luke Skywalker’s story the same in Canon and Legends?

No, Luke Skywalker’s story diverges significantly. In Legends, he rebuilds the Jedi Order, marries Mara Jade, and continues to be a central figure in galactic events. In Canon, his story focuses more on his disillusionment and isolation after Kylo Ren turns to the dark side.

Why are some Star Wars characters missing in Canon but present in Legends?

When Disney rebranded the Expanded Universe as Legends, many characters were excluded or reimagined for the new Canon to streamline the storytelling. Some, like Mara Jade, have not yet been reintroduced to Canon.

What is the difference between Leia’s role in Canon and Legends?

In Legends, Leia becomes a Jedi Knight and plays a key role in rebuilding the Republic and raising her children, who are strong in the Force. In Canon, Leia does not formally become a Jedi and focuses more on her political and leadership role in the Resistance.

Filipino Translation:

Alam mo ba, ang Star Wars franchise sobrang nagbago simula nung binili ng Disney ang Lucasfilm noong 2014? Isa sa mga major changes is yung pag-create nila ng dalawang separate timelines: yung new “Canon” at yung tinatawag na ngayon na “Legends.” Ang resulta, maraming character stories ang ni-rework sa parehong continuities.

Yung original Expanded Universe (na ngayon ay Legends) may stories from 1976 hanggang 2014, habang yung new Canon includes yung original trilogy, prequel trilogy, at pati na rin yung Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series at film. So basically, iba-ibang direction yung nangyari sa maraming characters because of this split.

Example na lang si Wicket W. Warrick, yung cute na Ewok na lumabas sa Return of the Jedi. Sa Legends timeline, ikinasal siya sa childhood friend niya na si Kneesaa, at sila yung naging leaders ng village nila. Pero sa Canon, ibang story—nag-appear lang siya sa The Rise of Skywalker kasama yung anak niyang si Pommet Warrick, pero wala pang mention kung leader pa rin siya or what.

Hanggang ngayon, yung split ng Canon at Legends ang nag-i-influence sa kung paano na-e-experience ng fans yung Star Wars stories. Kaya tuloy, andaming discussions about sa dalawang parallel narratives na ‘to within the franchise. Ang dami talagang pwedeng pag-usapan, diba?

10 Star Wars Characters Whose Stories Are Radically Different In Canon And Legends was first published here.