New trailer for 'Star Wars: The High Republic' showcases characters set 200 years prior to The Phantom Menace
Lucasfilm has released a trailer for 'Star Wars: The High Republic,' based on its publishing campaign that will explore stories for all ages set in an era two centuries before the events of 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace'. The trailer contains clips from the prequel series, initial art, covers, and interviews with the creators involved. We break down the trailer here and focus on the most important reveals and, and things you should be paying attention to going forward. You can watch the trailer here:
The Golden Age of the Republic
The trailer for the series uses clips from the prequel series to show the Jedi at their height. Whereas an Empire-ruled galaxy featured largely desolate planets in the original and sequel movies, the world of the prequels saw civilizations under the Republic at the heights of modern civilization, thriving cities filled with life. All is not well, however, as there's a mysterious adversary raising its head.
'The High Republic' is a new era of 'Star Wars' to explore, now that the Skywalker Saga has been done with. While the current Marvel Comics 'Star Wars' series is still exploring eras of the Skywalker Saga, this new, though older era is a chance for the franchise to explore truly new territory. "For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were guardians of peace and justice," says Obi-Wan Kenobi's (Alec Guinness) voice in the trailer. We're finally getting a look at the better part of some of those generations.
Writers' Summit at the Skywalker Ranch
A team of writers was put together for a writer's summit at the Skywalker Ranch in 2018, who brainstormed the concept. One image that has been making the rounds online is a whiteboard that lists the best parts'Star Wars' storytelling, fiction in general, and a third column detailing what the writers wish they could see from 'Star Wars.'
The third column is perhaps the most notable, as it is a tease for the kinds of things we might expect to see in this new era of 'Star Wars' storytelling. Dinosaurs, more of the Sith Empire, splinter groups of Force users - they can't all be either Jedi or Sith, after all, right? There seems to be a push for more representation and diversity, as well.
Smugglers, scoundrels and bounty hunters
The Jedi won't be getting all the focus in this publishing campaign. The Republic and the jurisdiction of the Jedi only extend till the outer edges of the galaxy. However, there still exist those who live on the wrong side of the law.
What scares the Jedi?
That is the line that apparently electrified the writer's room, and appears to be a question upon with the first push of 'The High Republic' campaign will deal with. The is a vast, interconnected setting being built here, and the main villains are to be a group called the Nihil. They appear to be an alien race with scruffy, scavenged outfits, who have been called "space Vikings. They operate on a philosophy of "you can't take it with you, but we can take it from you."
The story starts with something called 'The Great Disaster' - what that disaster has not been made clear, but it's apparently the inciting incident for 'The High Republic' era. Though they live in a golden age, something happens that is going to require the best of the Jedi Order's heroes to rise to the fore.
For all ages
There are several titles that are being released, across novels, comics, and children's books - 'The High Republic' appears to be trying to appeal to every kind of 'Star Wars' fan, no matter what it is they love about the franchise. It's a bold claim, but with such a diversified line, it's not impossible.
'Star Wars: The High Republic' is set to properly launch its campaign in September 2020, but you can pre-order most of its titles now.