"The Mandalorian" on Disney+ is a streaming
TV series based in the “Star Wars” universe that is trying to build on a
concept fiddled with by the “Rogue One” and “Solo” spinoff movies. That is the
live-action “Star Wars” production which has zero involvement from the
Skywalker family or even the order of Jedi. But this concept is not exactly
new. It was already thriving back when Lucasfilm was a partner of 20th
Century Fox, and the original plus prequel trilogies were augmented by novels,
particularly post-trilogy sequels, written by an ensemble of authors under the “Expanded
Universe” media franchise.
Of course, when Disney acquired
Lucasfilm and began developing its own extra material for the “Star Wars”
franchise (especially its sequel trilogy), the former EU books and other media
were relegated to non-canonicity under the new “Star Wars Legends” label. That
however does not stop current “Star Wars” creative teams from dipping into the “Legends”
well for material to adapt for the sequel trilogy, or spinoff films and shows
like “Clone Wars,” “Rebels” or “Resistance.” As Comic Book Resources tells it, “The Mandalorian” show-runner Jon
Favreau is also following suit in taking inspiration for plot elements in “Star
Wars Legends.”
During an interview regarding “Mandalorian”
where he was asked questions regarding possible appearances by former “Expanded
Universe”/“Legends” characters like Luke Skywalker’s wife Mara Jade or Imperial
Grand Admiral Thrawn (who already immigrated to the “Disney” canon in “Star
Wars Rebels”), Favreau gave a vague response but indicated that such questions
were the right ones to ask regarding the streaming series on Disney+. He did
elaborate that he was interested in finding a way to cohesively blend the
setting elements of the three film trilogies, shows like “Clone Wars” and other
current Disney-canon material, along with a helping of “Legends” stuff.
The former “Star Wars Expanded
Universe” media, or “Legends” continuity, roughly covers a publication period
from 1978 to 2014, the year when Disney made its de-canonization in favor of
newly-produced material. Fan response to Disney’s initial “Legends”
incorporation like Thrawn in “Rebels” has been positive, and Jon Favreau’s
pitch for “The Mandalorian” was reportedly inspired from a cancelled “Star War”
videogame. “I think this show offers an opportunity to bring in all those
elements so no matter what your flavor of Star Wars ice cream you like there
will be something to enjoy,” says Favreau.
“The Mandalorian” will premiere
on launch day for Disney+ this coming November 12, and will star Pedro Pascal (“Game
of Thrones”), Gina Carano, Carl Weathers (“Rocky” franchise), Ming-Na Wen (“Agents
of SHIELD”) and Nick Nolte.
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