Recently, we’ve written both about (now former) Disney CEO Bob Iger’s statements that Star Wars will be moving away from film for the time being, as well as rumors of an upcoming Star Wars series set in the “High Republic,” which sources previously said takes place 200 years prior to The Phantom Menace. Earlier this week, both of these reports came together as Disney’s publishing arm officially revealed Star Wars: The High Republic, a new novel-focused publishing initiative set in the now confirmed and as yet unseen era.
Tonight. Finally. Keep an eye on https://t.co/Dxe9qLeAja for all of the details. #ProjectLuminous pic.twitter.com/PbHRmVYyiK
— Michael Siglain (@msiglain) February 24, 2020
The hype started when Lucasfilm publishing creative director Michael Siglain posted an image to Twitter yesterday afternoon teasing the title “Project Luminous 2020” alongside a list of author names. While we’ve known about a vague author-focused Project Luminous concept since last year, the tweet promised that “Tonight. Finally” we would get more information.
Later in the evening, both the Star Wars and Del Rey books twitters told fans to keep their eyes on #ProjectLuminous, before finally keeping Siglain’s promise by posting a trailer giving us a first look at what Luminous actually is.
Named Star Wars: The High Republic, the trailer revealed Luminous to be a series of books and comics released across multiple publishers meant to detail the High Republic, a golden age for the Jedi taking place 200 years before the films. According to a press release, “Star Wars: The High Republic is set in an era when the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order are at their height, serving and protecting the galaxy.” The trailer also explains that the story takes place before the Republic fully spans the galaxy, meaning that aside from being a more peaceful era, it also has wild west and errant adventuring inspirations. Both Texas Rangers and Arthurian knights are cited as examples for this era’s type of Jedi.
At a press event the same night, Disney officially announced the first five books set in the High Republic era, coming from authors who have previously worked with the company on new canon novels like Star Wars: Bloodline (Claudia Gray) and Lando’s Luck (Justina Ireland). These include:
Star Wars: The High Republic: Into the Dark by Claudia Gray
Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures by Daniel José Older
Star Wars: The High Republic by Cavan Scott
Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule
The first books and comics for The High Republic are set to debut at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in August later this year, with Charles Soule’s Light of the Jedi leading the charge.
The cover to LIGHT OF THE JEDI, the novel that kicks off the massive new Star Wars initiative THE HIGH REPUBLIC (aka #ProjectLuminous)
It’s the Jedi story I’ve been writing since I was six years old.
Out August 25, and you can pre-order it here now: https://t.co/yP2oFcZdwT pic.twitter.com/KqneH19dV9
— Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) February 25, 2020
While we don’t yet know much else about Light of the Jedi, the High Republic trailer does promise that, despite being set in a golden age, the whole initiative will follow the ramifications of an event called “The Great Disaster,” and will initially start off following a core group of heroes that will eventually expand to include a large cast of characters including not just Jedi, but also “new smugglers, new scoundrels, new bounty hunters.” It also sets up a new villainous group called “The Nihil,” who the creative team refer to internally as “space vikings.” It’s likely that this first novel will then focus on setting up a foundation for future stories. Also, the cover seems to point to it having a Wookie Jedi, which, hell yeah.
The High Republic is an exciting premise, and one that brings to mind the pre-Disney extended universe while still setting itself apart as something new. For example, in a press release, Disney promises that the High Republic will not overlap any films or television series currently planned for production, meaning that the authors involved in the project will have complete freedom for outlining this new era of galactic history. This is also especially interesting given the surprise addition of a few unexpected publishers set to take place in the initiative. While Marvel and longtime partner Del Rey books aren’t too surprising, The High Republic will also feature works by VIZ Media, which focuses primarily on manga, and Titan Magazines and IDW, comic publishers that Disney does not own and who have recently found success with works like the surprisingly socially conscious Flintstones reboot comic.
In case anyone was doubting this as a half-effort, The High Republic trailer makes a point that Disney is aiming big with the initiative, essentially gathering many of their most trusted writers in a room, giving them access to concept artists like Darth Maul designer Ian McKay, and giving them the freedom the “let their imaginations run free.” To wit, it emphasizes that the High Republic series will include stories intended for adults, teens, and children, meaning that Disney is casting its net wide here.
Overall, I’m excited to see Disney Star Wars settle down on a more structured format for its novel and comics wings. While the Extended Universe was essentially the bread and butter for the series during the pre-Episode I and post Episode III hiatuses, Disney’s new set of Star Wars novels and comics, while often excellent, have never felt essential to the overall Star Wars story. Hopefully, the High Republic will change that, and maybe even expand to include video games and other non-film mediums as well, another of the old Extended Universe’s high points. Shadows of the Empire, anyone?
Finally, the High Republic trailer opens with promises of publishing being an incubation place, which is much the same function Marvel comics serve to the MCU now. While the High Republic currently doesn’t interfere with any on-screen projects, perhaps this is the start of even the film franchise’s next big post-Skywalker steps.
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