“For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic.”
That description of the Jedi by Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars has stuck around since 1977. And now, Star Wars fans will have the chance to see the Jedi in their prime during the height of the Old Republic.
Late Monday, Lucasfilm announced Star Wars: The High Republic, which will consist of new Star Wars stories “explored through multiple voices in adult and young adult novels, children’s books and comics.” Various publishers will publish the stories, including Disney Lucasfilm Press, Del Rey, IDW Publishing and Marvel.
Star Wars: The High Republic, previously known as “Project Luminous” will be set about 200 years before the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, which itself takes place 32 years before the original Star Wars film. According to the announcement on starwars.com, this time period will not overlap any of the films in the Skywalker Saga, or any of the other series planned for production.
Concept art of Star Wars: The High Republic. Courtesy of starwars.com
“We are so excited to be opening up such a rich, fertile era for our authors to explore,” Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement. “We’ll get to see the Jedi in their prime.”
With The High Republic taking place two centuries before the Sith returned from hiding, it is likely the Jedi will face a different set of villains in this era. Lucasfilm promises that fans will get to see the Jedi as true guardians of peace and justice.
Concept art for Star Wars: The High Republic. Courtesy of starwars.com
“This is a hopeful, optimistic time, when the Jedi and the Galactic Republic are at their height,” Lucasfilm publishing creative director Michael Siglain said. “But of course, into this glorious new era something wicked this ways comes.”
Several stories are planned, with the first set of stories set for release in August. The era is described as a golden age for the Jedi and a time of galactic expansion in the Outer Rim.
“Expect there to be rich tales of exploration; charting out the galaxy, meeting new cultures and discovering what pioneer life in the Outer Rim was like,” said James Waugh, Lucasfilm vice president of franchise content and strategy. “This is an incredible sandbox for our storytellers to play in, both within publishing and beyond and we can’t wait to see the great fiction they build within it.”
Several Star Wars authors will publish stories for Star Wars: The High Republic. These include Claudia Gray (Leia, Princess of Alderaan & Star Wars: Master and Apprentice), Justina Ireland (Spark of the Resistance & Lando’s Luck), Daniel Jose Older (Last Shot – A Han and Lando novel), Cavan Scott (Star Wars: Adventures in Wild Space) and Charles Soule (Obi-Wan and Anakin comic book miniseries & Star Wars: Lando comic book miniseries).
The first books and comics will debut at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in August. They will debut with Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi (written by Soule), which is described as “a massive interconnected story that’s told across various formats by various publishers.”
The first set of titles in Star Wars: The High Republic includes:
Star Wars: The High Republic: Into the Dark written by Claudia Gray.
Star Wars: The High Republic: Into the Dark by Claudia Gray (available for preorder)
Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage written by Justina Ireland.
Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland (available for preorder)
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures written by Daniel Jose Older.
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures by Daniel Jose Older (IDW Publishing comic book series)
Star Wars: The High Republic Marvel comic book series, written by Cavan Scott.
Star Wars: The High Republic by Cavan Scott (Marvel comic book series)
Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi written by Charles Soule.
Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule (available for preorder)
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