The Obi-Wan Kenobi show was full of great Legends Easter eggs, but more than just referencing the Legends timeline, it actually brought multiple Legends characters into the canon like Djinn Altis and Valin Halcyon. This has happened to numerous characters over the past few years, but while some Legends characters have thrived in canon, others have yet to reach the heights they once did.
Some characters that have been in canon from the start of Disney’s reign over Star Wars have better stories in Legends, whether that be because they are more fleshed out and prominent or because their stories in Legends were just that good.
Xizor
Thus far in the canon, Xizor has only had a couple of mentions that have brought him into the canon as the same prince turned crime-lord leader of the Black Sun that he was in Legends. In Legends, though, he was far more prominent and important.
Due to his incredible wealth, power, and influence in criminal goings-on in the Galaxy, Xizor was one of the most powerful individuals in the Galaxy during the time of the Galactic Civil War. Mentioned throughout various Legends stories, Xizor was a key aspect of Shadows of the Empire and one of the more popular criminals/villains in the Legends canon.
Commander Cody
There is definitely an asterisk beside this as Cody is confirmed to appear in The Bad Batch season 2, which may well put his canon storyline above that in Legends. In the Legends timeline, though, Cody is just more fleshed out.
Everything in The Clone Wars still exists in the Legends timeline, which would put the two timelines at a stalemate if it were not for the story Cody got after the fact. He went on to serve the Empire, leading his own Imperial Batallion and being loyal to the tyrannical organization. There is not much separating Cody in the two timelines, but having a clearer picture on his post-Order 66 life puts Legends ahead – for now.
Aurra Sing
In the canon, Aurra Sing is one of the very best bounty hunters out there and someone who shines throughout The Clone Wars. Outside of that show, though, her story is not explored too much.
Her death in canon perhaps deserved to be seen rather than announced in a quick line. In Legends, she does not have a death but does have an interesting story that saw her once as a Jedi Padawan before becoming a skilled and notorious Jedi killer. She continued to live and work during the Galactic Civil War, hired by the likes of Vader and Jabba, known as one of the best and most fearsome bounty hunters in the Galaxy. Her hatred of Jedi, feelings of abandonment, and skill in killing them were enjoyable, and she was always fun to watch – just as she is in the canon.
Dash Rendar
It may surprise some to learn that the beloved Legends character Dash Rendar is canon, but that is the case thanks to Solo: A Star Wars Story – Tales From Vandor. Apart from being known as a smuggler, his story in the canon is pretty non-existent, though.
In Legends, Rendar has a fascinating life as a smuggler and freelancer who worked with many people and organizations over the years. He is a crucial element of the Shadows Of The Empire series and someone Legends fans have wanted in the canon for a long time. From his family’s exile to the core worlds by Palpatine, to faking his death, to making mistakes that cost many Bothans their lives to working with Lando Calrissian, Rendar’s story in canon has so much to it and is a joy to sift through.
Rukh
Undoubtedly one of the most incompetent on-screen Star Wars villains to debut from Legends, Rukh is majorly ineffective in Rebels and is just generally a better character in the Legends timeline.
His being a personal bodyguard/assassin for Thrawn is shared between the two timelines in Legends, though, in the Thrawn trilogy, he is shown to be far more effective in those roles. What is truly fascinating about Rukh’s Legends story compared to canon is his relationship with Thrawn and the fact that Rukh assassinated the Grand Admiral, doing so because of Thrawn’s lies regarding Rukh’s homeworld, which Thrawn kept in ill-health.
Quinlan Vos
It is hard to judge which version of Quinlan Vos is better, thanks to his fascinating and brilliant role in the must-read Dark Disciple. In Legends, more is known about his life on either side of the Clone Wars, ultimately setting the two apart.
Given his recent mention in Obi-Wan Kenobi, there is so much potential for Vos’ character to be vastly better in the canon. In Legends, though, he has an interesting survival story on Kashyyyk and multiple stories about him pre-Clone Wars, such as his amnesia, a mission to Dathomir, and his more explored relationship with Aayla Secura. All that is on top of his falling to the dark side under Dooku, similarly to in canon.
Wedge Antilles
Wedge Antilles is an unsung hero in Star Wars and someone whose story continues to be expanded in the canon. For now, though, many would safely say his Legends story remains superior.
A large reason for this is the iconic Rogue Squadron series, of which Wedge Antilles is a star. Like many, Wedge’s story can and continues to be vastly improved by excellent canon novels and comics. But thus far, canon cannot much the sheer volume of Legends content in which Wedge is involved and how great his story from boyhood to rebellion hero to New Republic hero is.
Revan
Revan is another character many would not know is now a part of the canon, becoming so due to reference books and, recently, Shadow Of The Sith. He has no story, though, meaning his Legends counterpart wins out even if he were not one of its best characters.
In the minds of many, though, that is exactly what Revan is, one of the best Legends characters there is. His role in Knights of the Old Republic alone will take a lot for the canon version of the character to beat. Throw in a vital role in various conflicts, his relationship with the Force, and his flip-flopping between the light and dark side, and there is Revan, one of Star Wars’ most iconic and debated characters.
Darth Plagueis
The story of Darth Plagueis the Wise is not only a story that the Jedi would not tell, but a story that the canon has yet to explore fully. He has various appearances and puzzle pieces lying there, but they have not been put together like in Legends.
Darth Plagueis by James Luceno is one of the best Star Wars novels ever and details Darth Plagueis’ story and relationship with Sidious brilliantly, establishing just how crucial of a role he had in the Galaxy at the time and how powerful he was. Fans are excited for the day that story is adapted to fit the canon.
Darth Bane
Darth Bane and his iconic, hugely important Rule of Two have been canonical for years now, but his story has yet to reach the standards set in Legends by one of the greatest Star Wars stories ever.
That story is, of course, the Darth Bane trilogy by Drew Karpyshyn. Even ignoring all of his other great appearances in Legends, that story detailing his life, his power, and the creation of the Rule of Two is a standout Star Wars tale that will be hard for the canon to top, should it attempt to dissect this powerful dark side figure properly.
