Why Disney Discontinued Legends in Star Wars

There has been much discussion and backlash regarding Disney's decision to rebrand the Star Wars Legends as non-canonical[1]. Many fans of the original Legends material felt betrayed when key elements were introduced, such as the Emperor's resurrection in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Critics argue that Disney will likely bring back the Yuuzhan Vong in a way that fails to satisfy fans. However, behind the controversial decisions, there are practical reasons why the Legends content didn't fit within the new Disney canon. These reasons include conflicting storylines, inconsistent timelines, and overall bad storytelling.

Conflicts and Inconsistencies in Star Wars Legends

The era of Legends was marked by a lack of consistency, which reached a tipping point when multiple authors could write stories without consulting each other. Conflicts emerged in various plot points, making it difficult for fans to track the real story. For example:

How did Darth Maul die? Was it at Naboo as mentioned in the Phantom Menace novelization or on Tatooine as depicted in the animated series? When did Anakin become a Jedi Knight? Was it at the beginning of the Clone Wars as shown in the animated series, or at the end as detailed in the Jedi Trial? Has Boba Fett ever visited Coruscant? According to one story, the answer is yes, but in another, the answer is no. When did Garm Bel Iblis learn about the Death Star? Was it after the Coruscant Treaty was signed, as in The Force Unleashed, or after the establishment of the Rebel Alliance in Interlude at Darkknell? Who stole the Death Star plans? Was it Kyle Katarn, Keyan Farlander, X-Wing pilot, or Jyn Erso from Rogue One? Where did Boba Fett come from? Was he originally a Mandalorian Commando, as in Star Wars 68: The Search Begins, or a former Stormtrooper from Dark Empire 2?

These inconsistencies created a convoluted and confusing narrative that became increasingly difficult for the fans to follow. It also made it hard for new fans to understand the established lore.

The Need for Canon in Star Wars

Disney recognized the need for a more unified and consistent storyline. To address these issues, Legends content was reclassified as non-canonical. This move aimed to streamline the Star Wars universe and ensure a clear, coherent narrative. For instance, while the original Phantom Menace novelization suggested that Darth Maul was killed on Naboo, this was later contradicted in the animated series. Similarly, there were discrepancies in the timeline and character arcs, making it difficult to determine what was the true story.

Is It About Making More Money?

While financial gain was a factor in making this decision, it is not the sole reason. Rebranding as non-canonical allowed Disney to create a more focused and consistent version of the Star Wars universe without the baggage of conflicting stories and inconsistencies. This decision was also made to protect the integrity of the franchise and maintain its appeal to a wide audience. However, this move did not sit well with all fans of the Legends series, leading to a mix of both support and criticism.

Conclusion

While Disney's decision to rebrand Legends as non-canonical and establish a new canon was necessary to address the inconsistencies and conflicts in the storytelling, it came at the cost of dividing the fanbase. Legions of loyal fans felt a sense of betrayal, but the move was driven by the need to produce a clear and unified story that would stand the test of time.

For those interested in deeper dives into the differences between Legends and the new Disney canon, there are numerous resources available. Fan forums, official statements from Disney, and academic analyses of Star Wars literature offer a wealth of information. Understanding the history and rationale behind these decisions can help fans appreciate the complexities involved in shaping a beloved franchise.

References

[1] "Star Wars Legends," Wikipedia, accessed September 2023, _Star_Wars:_Legends