The modern Star Wars canon began with one of the best possible stories in April 2014. The current Star Wars timeline’s predecessor, formerly called the Star Wars Expanded Universe, was rebranded as Star Wars Legends and, for the most part, discontinued in preparation for the then-upcoming Star Wars sequel trilogy. With the Star Wars original and prequel trilogies belonging to both continuities and the Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series left in a somewhat ambiguous situation, one short story became the first property to be officially declared exclusive to the modern canon.
Star Wars Legends is as old as the Star Wars movies themselves, with the first Legend-era properties adapting A New Hope before moving on to original stories set in the same continuity as the films. As said by numerous creatives at Lucasfilm, the then-Expanded Universe was officially canon for a time, and retcons were frequently used to maintain a tidy continuity and ensure that every property was legitimate. Still, Lucasfilm opted to relegate these materials to an alternate timeline to maximize creative freedom for the sequel movies, with this freshly-rebooted Star Wars franchise starting on a high note.
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How Blade Squadron Became The First New Part Of Disney’s Canon
This Short Story’s Canon Status Was Unknown For A Time
The short story Blade Squadron by David J. Williams and Mark S. Williams was split into two parts, with the first being published in issue 149 of Star Wars Insider on April 22nd, 2014 and the second in issue 150 on June 10th, 2014. This put the story in an odd position, as the Star Wars continuity reboot occurred on April 25th, between the two parts. The second issue of Star Wars Insider, however, clarified that the whole story was set in the modern canon. As the modern canon’s first published work, Blade Squadron was an excellent start for the new continuity.
The Blade Squadron Short Story Perfectly Honors Star Wars’ Past
Its Return Of The Jedi Setting Adds New Meaning To An Iconic Scene
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
- Director
-
Richard Marquand
- Release Date
-
May 25, 1983
- Writers
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Lawrence Kasdan
, George Lucas - Cast
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Mark Hamill
, Carrie Fisher
, Harrison Ford
, James Earl Jones
, Billy Dee Williams
, Ian McDiarmid
, Peter Mayhew
, Anthony Daniels
, Kenny Baker
, David Prowse
, Frank Oz
, Sebastian Shaw
, Alec Guinness
Set during the events of Return of the Jedi, Blade Squadron focuses on the titular B-Wing squadron during the Battle of Endor. During the hectic battle, Blade Squadron is tasked with destroying the Imperial Star Destroyer Devastator (previously Darth Vader’s flagship in A New Hope), which is defended by squadrons of deadly TIE Interceptors. The story references the main heroes of the Star Wars original trilogy, with Blade Squadron’s destruction of the Devastator clearing a path for Lando Calrissian to strike at the Second Death Star.
Blade Squadron Is A Reminder There’s More To Star Wars Than Jedi
The Heroes Of Star Wars Are Often Those Without A Lightsaber
While stories about heroic Jedi Knights are always welcome, Blade Squadron reminds readers that Jedi are far from the only heroes in the Star Wars franchise. Ordinary beings, like the soldiers and pilots of the Rebellion, are as much the heroes of the Galactic Civil War as iconic leaders like Luke Skywalker and Lando Calrissian. Blade Squadron appeared several times after their titular debut in the modern Star Wars canon, proving both their popularity and a strong start for the new canon.
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