Author Topic: New ‘Star Wars’ Plot Revealed?  (Read 451 times)

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Oceander

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New ‘Star Wars’ Plot Revealed?
« on: March 26, 2014, 06:13:26 pm »
New ‘Star Wars’ Plot Revealed?

By Rich Goldstein

"A satisfying sequel is difficult to pull off. Many geniuses have defeated themselves through hubris."—Abed Nadir, Community

"Objection, your honor. The pod race was pretty cool."—Lawyer, Clerks: The Animated Series

The idea of a spoiler, much like the Ewok Nanta, slain in the Battle of Endor, is dead. Despite all protests to the contrary, audiences love advanced knowledge of a dramatic work and its intricate plot details.

Scientific research backs this up. In a study by UC San Diego's psychology department, readers reported experiencing greater levels of enjoyment when they were aware of the eventual outcome in stories that relied on an “ironic twist” for their ending. Dramatists, and their audiences, have been aware of this for centuries. That's why the play is called The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet and not What Happens to Romeo and Juliet? It’s why Titanic is one the highest-grossing movies of all time even though everyone knows the ship sinks. And it’s why any right minded individual gives items in their refrigerator both a visual and nasal inspection before consumption. People who truly don’t like spoilers probably drink a lot of rotten milk.

This is why hints of rumors about the upcoming Star Wars sequels are consumed whole—here we have a new reason to comb through and re-examine the tremendous catalog of information available in the “expanded universe,” the books, video games, graphic novels, television specials, and more ancillary products that cover the history, and future, of the Star Wars universe.

Lucasfilm confirmed that the upcoming trilogy will be set thirty years after the original trilogy and will feature a trio of young leads. Current speculation is that the new stories will focus on the next generation of Skywalkers, Darth Vader’s grandchildren. In Star Wars lore Anakin Skywalker has four grandchildren: Jaina, Jacen, and Anakin Solo (the children of Princess Leia and Han Solo); and Ben Skywalker (the son of Luke Skywalker and imperial dilettante, Mara Jade). If the new trilogy treats on the story of the Solo Twins, and the birth of Darth Caedus, it is arguably the most electrifying story in the Star Wars universe.

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Those familiar with the expanded universe have already begun speculating that there is a strong possibility the Solo twins are candidates for at least two members of the “young trio.”

Like the other Jedi in the Star Wars universe, Jacen is tempted by and falls to the Dark Side although, as with Anakin in the original (sequel) trilogy, Jacen’s fall is only a means to protect his family. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Jedi Tenel Ka Djo, Jacen eventually transitions into Darth Caedus.

It is after his Darth Caedus transformation that Jacen’s Nazi-esque evil deeds reach their apex, including his relationship with, and eventual murder of, a force-sensitive cyborg named Lumiya, who carries a lightwhip instead of a lightsaber, and with whom he attempts to rebuild the fallen Empire. In the book Sacrifice from the Legacy of the Force series, Darth Caedus kills Luke Skywalker’s wife, Mara Jade, when she realizes her nephew has become too evil to save and attempts to stop him.

Jaina Solo, who turned to Empire and Jedi fan favorite Boba Fett for assassin training, became a full Jedi Master and married former imperial officer, Jagged Fel. After surviving a similar Dark Side temptation, Jaina Solo becomes something of a demi-god, with New Republic commanders referring to her as “Yun-Harla,” “Goddess,” or “Great One.” Ultimately, Jaina is forced to confront her brother after he kidnaps his daughter, Allana, and threatens the child’s life if his wife does not join him on the Dark Side. In the book Invincible, Jaina stabs Jacen through the heart.

In an 2012 interview with expanded universe author, and sci-fi legend Timothy Zahn told Entertainment Weekly, “The original idea as I understood it—and Lucas changes his mind off and on, so it may not be what he’s thinking right now—but it was going to be three generations…and if there was another 7th, 8th, or 9th film, it would be Luke’s children. The Thrawn Trilogy really would have fit into the gap.”


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