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For the Star Wars: The High Republic subseries’ second phase, the action will shift to 150 years before Phase One. Here’s why that’s a smart idea.
Phase I of the Star Wars: The High Republic subseries is coming to a close with the focus now is shifting toward Phase II, which will be a prequel. This move might seem unconventional, especially because many of Phase I’s main characters’ fates are currently unknown. Still, the decision to go further back in time for the second phase could be a smart one as it echoes past Star Wars stories by mirroring the construction of the Skywalker saga, with the middle installment released first followed by the prequel and sequel trilogies. More importantly, the choice to place the second phase even further in the past allows readers first-hand knowledge of the lore that shaped the events of Phase I, and the decision allows new readers a fresh place to start with the subseries.
In an article for starwars.com highlighting the information released about Phase II, Kristin Baver confirmed that the Star Wars: The High Republic subseries’ second phase take place 150 years before the events of Phase I. Throughout the first phase, many of the High Republic’s mysteries have origins in the forgotten past, such as the Great Levelers and the Drengir. By using Phase II as a prequel, the subseries could delve more into those mysteries and also explain why information about these possible threats to the Jedi and the galaxy has been buried. The move to the past could also show how the Jedi Order became the warm and loving entity seen at the beginning of the subseries.
Most importantly, one of the most refreshing aspects of the Star Wars: The High Republic subseries has been that the stories are easily accessible for new fans. By placing the subseries centuries before the main Star Wars era, Claudia Gray, Justina Ireland, Daniel José Older, Cavan Scott, Shima Shinya, and Charles Soule were able to create their own lore instead of being tied so heavily to the franchise’s earlier installments. Even though some familiar faces make appearances in the subseries, new characters were the main focus of Phase I, giving readers more heroes to root for and ultimately making the Star Wars galaxy a far more inclusive space.
In an interview with Krystina Arielle in the latest episode of the Star Wars: The High Republic Show, James Waugh, Lucasfilm’s Senior Vice-President, emphasized the importance of giving the authors of the project this creative freedom. He explained that Kathleen Kennedy challenged the creators of the Star Wars: The High Republic subseries to create bold new stories and characters that were not necessarily tied to the events of the Skywalker saga. He also emphasized the importance that the subseries be accessible to readers with varying levels of engagement, from the readers who picked up every entry in the subseries to the readers who may just be following the adult novels or the comic series.
Going back 150 years in Phase II will have a similar effect on the subseries. The phase may be building toward the events of Phase I, but the authors still will have plenty of room to expand new stories, plotlines, and characters. This freedom is especially important because Phase II will feature a new crew of authors in addition to the authors from Phase I: Zoraida Cordova, Tessa Gratton, and Lydia Kang. George Mann will also take on a larger role in the High Republic project. He previously wrote the children’s books Star Wars: The High Republic: Showdown at the Fair and Star Wars: The High Republic: The Battle for Starlight for the subseries.
Overall, the shift even further into the past will help welcome even more readers into the Star Wars: The High Republic subseries while still building upon the storylines and themes introduced in Phase I. The decision also gives the new authors more creative freedom when crafting their own works to add even more diverse perspectives to the Star Wars universe. Therefore, even if readers have not been following the subseries so far, they should be able to dive into the stories of Phase II when it launches in October.
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