Star Wars: The Controversial Canon Reset - Unveiling the Galactic Debate
Star Wars: The Canon Reset Debate - A Game Changer or Disaster? Delve into the controversial decision that divided fans: Was the canon reset a positive step forward for the Star Wars universe or a detrimental move that left beloved characters and stories behind?
Fans of Star Wars have always had a lot to discuss, and one topic that sparks passionate debate is the notorious canon reset of the Star Wars universe. Many fans were disappointed when it was announced that the extensive lore and universe of Star Wars would be simplified. The consequences of this reset will continue to be a topic of contention, as fans weigh the losses against the gains. There are various reasons why a franchise might choose to reset its continuity, considering the vast amount of existing lore, characters, and world-building. While this decision has both advantages and disadvantages, the question of whether it was a wise move will always be up for discussion. Nevertheless, Disney is always ready to take the franchise in a fresh and daring new direction.
What Was The Canon Reset?
The canon reset, though the exact date is debated, can be generally traced back to Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012. At that time, the Star Wars universe had already expanded to include two film trilogies, numerous video games, TV shows, comics, and an abundance of books. To say that there was an overwhelming amount of information and lore would be an understatement. It's important to note that the canon reset happened before the release of the third film trilogy, allowing for the introduction of new stories and characters.
The canon reset involved a significant reevaluation of the Star Wars franchise, aiming to alter the canonicity of the larger universe. With such a vast amount of lore, telling unique and distinct stories became increasingly challenging. Additionally, Disney sought to establish its own era of Star Wars, rejuvenating the franchise in the public eye. While certain elements remained canon, it can be summarized that only the six movies released up to that point and the Clone Wars TV show were officially recognized as canon, with few exceptions.
What Does It Mean To Be Canon Or Legends In Star Wars?
In the Star Wars universe, there used to be various levels of canonicity. However, things have now been simplified to just two terms: Canon and Legends. Anything labeled as Canon is a recognized part of the ongoing Star Wars universe. On the other hand, Legends refer to stories within the Star Wars continuity that are not officially considered canon, but still offer captivating side narratives within the broader Star Wars universe.
Generally, content that was created for the Star Wars universe prior to 2012 falls under the Legends category. However, there have been a few exceptions where elements or characters from the Legends continuity have been incorporated into the official canon. This provides a glimmer of hope for fans, as it means that some beloved Legends characters may have the opportunity to return to the universe. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate that their reappearance may require some multiverse-related maneuvers, reminiscent of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Which Star Wars Characters Were Lost In The Reset?
The magnitude of this shift is enormous, resulting in the existence of two iterations of numerous prominent characters: the Legends version and the Canon version. Regrettably, certain highly cherished Legends narratives are improbable to be integrated, primarily due to their inclusion of exceedingly dominant Jedi or Sith who obliterating individuals effortlessly.
Numerous beloved characters were casualties of the significant Disney Star Wars canon overhaul. As mentioned earlier, certain characters have multiple versions, an example being Luke Skywalker. In the Legends continuity, Luke Skywalker was essentially omnipotent, capable of single-handedly engaging armies and arguably the most formidable entity in the series' history. Nonetheless, in the current canon, Luke has passed away and endured considerably more setbacks due to the events of the sequel trilogy. Luke is simply one among many significant characters who have been deprived of their astonishing accomplishments, allegedly justified by a noble cause.
Star Wars fans have experienced the loss of several captivating characters, aside from the ones commonly recognized. The sequel trilogy's narrative resulted in the departure of the subsequent line of powerful individuals known as the Skywalkers, much to the disappointment of fans. Instead, they now have Kylo Ren/Ben Solo, but this gain came at the cost of characters like Darth Cadeus/Jacen Solo and Cade Skywalker. These Jedi possessed remarkable abilities, intriguing backstories, and were considered more compelling and developed compared to the newer Star Wars characters. Another notable omission is Mara Jade, Luke Skywalker's Legends wife who was raised as an assassin for Emperor Palpatine. The reset of the canon deprived fans of the opportunity to delve into an extraordinary expanded story revolving around the Skywalker family.
In addition, numerous renowned characters from Star Wars video games are no longer considered canon, much to the dismay of fans worldwide. Many beloved aspects of the acclaimed KOTOR games have been rendered non-canonical, although there has been a recent inclusion of Revan into the Star Wars main canon. Furthermore, exceptional game characters like Galen Marek/Starkiller and Kyle Katarn are no longer recognized within the established lore, despite their involvement in various unique narratives.
What Did The Reset Mean For Star Wars?
The reset at the end of the day can be perceived as both positive and negative, providing solid arguments for both sides of the debate. Many impressive characters and captivating storylines were sacrificed, leading to weaker and less engaging beloved characters, and a sudden contraction of the universe. However, a smaller universe creates room for fresh innovations and unexpected plot twists, offering the possibility for the appearance of numerous Legends characters when least anticipated.
Star Wars can be streamed on Disney+.
