Disney and Lucasfilm are inviting fans to journey with them to an unexplored timeline in the Star Wars franchise. Starting in January 2021, Disney Lucasfilm Publishing will launch Star Wars: The High Republic, a multi-year publishing initiative featuring interconnected stories across multiple platforms and formats. Originally known as the mysterious “Project Luminous,” Star Wars: The High Republic will look at the history of the Jedi 200 years prior to the events of The Phantom Menace and the Skywalker saga.
The first books and comics were set to debut at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in August 2020, however this exciting initiative will now launch in January 2021. Select titles are available now for pre-order.
Phase I
This multi-year publishing program will be rolled out in phases, with Phase I being called “Light of the Jedi.” This period on the Star Wars timeline will not overlap any of the films or series currently planned for production, giving creators and partners space to tell Star Wars stories in a never-before-explored timeline.
Star Wars: The High Republic is set in an era when the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order are at their height, serving and protecting the galaxy. This is a hopeful, optimistic time, when the Republic and the Jedi are noble and respected.
Books
Star Wars: The High Republic
Light of the Jedi
Two hundred years before the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, in the era of the glorious High Republic, the noble and wise Jedi Knights must face a frightening threat to themselves, the galaxy, and the Force itself. . . ."
- Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule will feature a Jedi Wookiee as one of its supporting characters.
- Hardcover: 336 pages
- Publisher: Del Rey
- Publication date: January 5, 2021
- Sells for $28.99; currently available for pre-order
A Test of Courage
"When a transport ship is abruptly kicked out of hyperspace as part of a galaxy-wide disaster, newly-minted teen Jedi Vernestra Rwoh, a young Padawan, an audacious tech-kid, and the son of an ambassador are stranded on a jungle moon where they must work together to survive both the dangerous terrain and a hidden danger lurking in the shadows."
- Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland will feature the youngest Jedi Knight in the Order.
- Age Range: 8 – 12 years
- Grade Level: 3 – 7
- Hardcover: 240 pages
- Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm Press
- Publication date: January 5, 2021 release
- Retails for $14.99; currently available for pre-order
Into the Dark
"Padawan Reath Silas is being sent from the cosmopolitan galactic capital of Coruscant to the undeveloped frontier-and he couldn't be less happy about it. He'd rather stay at the Jedi Temple, studying the archives. But when the ship he's traveling on is knocked out of hyperspace in a galactic-wide disaster, Reath finds himself at the center of the action. The Jedi and their traveling companions find refuge on what appears to be an abandoned space station. But then strange things start happening, leading the Jedi to investigate the truth behind the mysterious station, a truth that could end in tragedy."
- Star Wars: The High Republic: Into the Dark by Claudia Gray centers around a Padawan and features a captain inspired by Matthew McConaghey.
- Age Range: 12 and up
- Grade Level: 7 and up
- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm Press
- Publication date: February 2, 2021
- Sells for $17.99; currently available for pre-order
Comics
Star Wars: The High Republic
Star Wars: The High Republic
Author Cavan Scott on the new comic series:
"Star Wars: The High Republic is set on Starlight Beacon, the Jedi’s base of operation out on the Galactic Frontier. The exciting thing is that while we have seen Jedi Masters with their Padawans and Jedi Knights operating on their own, here we follow a group of Jedi of different ages and experience operating as a team.
We also focus on Keeve Trennis, a newly-minted Jedi who finds herself stationed on the Beacon. She’s a good Jedi. In fact, she’s a great Jedi, but she doesn’t believe it, especially when she realises she’s surrounded by real legends. And her problems are only just beginning, especially as a Great Disaster ravages the Frontier, because wherever there is a Great Disaster there are dark forces who see a Great Opportunity…"
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures
Characters
At its core, every good story is about the character journey. Fans will have several new characters to embrace as part of the Star Wars: The High Republic initiative. Below are some of the Jedi who will be key players in the upcoming saga.
“The brightest, most noble example of Jedi-hood. She always tries to see the good in people and situations, and never puts herself first. She is invigorated about life on the frontier and the challenges it brings, and is an inspiration for those who work with her. She is compassionate, not dogmatic, and always ready to sacrifice herself over others. Avar Kriss is the best of the best.
“A Twi’lek Jedi Master, and is considered to be one of the best teachers in the Jedi Order. Strong and wise, with a good sense of humor, Loden looks at every moment as a learning experience, always trying to better himself and those around him, especially his Padawans.
“A young firebrand Jedi, believed to have a great future ahead of her, if only she would believe it herself. Quick-witted and more impulsive than she should be, Keeve has only been a Jedi Knight for a few weeks and is a little starstruck around Avar, knowing many of the great things Kriss has done in the past. She is determined to prove herself to Avar and the other legendary Jedi stationed on Starlight Beacon, but first she must learn to trust in herself as much as she trusts the Force.
"An optimistic and well-respected Jedi Master. Stellan came up through the Order with Avar Kriss, and although they are often on different assignments for the Jedi or the Republic, when the two work together they are a powerhouse team of two noble heroes in action. Strong in the Force and a natural teacher, Stellan is currently stationed at one of the Jedi Temple outposts on the distant planet of Caragon-Viner.
“A newly-minted Jedi Knight. Vernestra, Mirialan, was Padawan to Stellan Gios. She works hard and is devoted to the Jedi Order, more so than most others her age. At sixteen she is one of the youngest Knights in a generation. She struggles to fit in with the adults while also setting a good example for the younger Jedi.
Authors
Star Wars: The High Republic will feature stories from five high-profile, fan-favorite authors.
Claudia Gray
Justina Ireland
Daniel José Older
Cavan Scott
Charles Soule
Publishers
Star Wars: The High Republic will feature interconnected stories for fans of all ages and reading levels. Many publishers have joined the multi-year initiative including:
- Disney Lucasfilm Press
- Marvel Comics
- Del Rey
- IDW Publishing
- Abrams
- becker&mayer!
- DK
- Insight Editions
- Titan Publishing
- Viz Media
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