Top Five Star Wars Legends Stories That Deserve a Canon Revival
Since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, the beloved Star Wars Expanded Universe (now
called “Legends”) was retired to make way for a new canon. While the move streamlined
storytelling across movies, books, comics, and TV shows, it also meant sidelining decades of
rich lore, unforgettable characters, and jaw-dropping plotlines.
Fortunately, not all is lost. Disney and Lucasfilm have slowly reincorporated fan-favorite
elements from Legends into the official canon: Grand Admiral Thrawn, for example, has
returned with a vengeance. But there’s still a treasure trove of stories waiting in the wings,
begging for a comeback.
Here are five of the best Star Wars Legends stories that deserve a full-blown revival in canon.
- Darth Bane Trilogy – Path of Destruction,
Rule of Two, Dynasty of Evil
Long before the Skywalkers, before the Clone Wars, there was Darth Bane: the Sith Lord
who created the Rule of Two. Written by Drew Karpyshyn, this trilogy is a masterclass in
dark side storytelling, chronicling Bane’s rise from a miner on Apatros to the architect of a
new Sith order.
These novels not only explain how the Sith evolved into their modern form but also explore
complex themes like power, betrayal, and legacy. Canon could benefit from a deep dive into
Sith history, especially with renewed interest in ancient Jedi and Sith through projects like
The Acolyte. Bane’s cold logic and destructive ambition would fit perfectly into Disney’s new
mythos, whether in a streaming series or as part of a High Republic tie-in.
- The Thrawn Trilogy – Heir to the Empire, Dark
Force Rising, The Last Command
Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn Trilogy (1991–1993) is legendary for a reason. These books
essentially kept Star Wars fandom alive during the long drought between the original trilogy
and the prequels. Set five years after Return of the Jedi, the series introduces Grand Admiral
Thrawn, a military genius and charismatic villain who mounts a devastating campaign against
the New Republic.
While Thrawn is canon again thanks to Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka, this original trilogy of
novels gave him more depth and strategic brilliance than any villain since Darth Vader.
Reviving the full arc including Mara Jade, a Force-sensitive assassin turned Jedi would
provide a nuanced post-Return of the Jedi story that fans have long craved.
- Knights of the Old Republic Comics
Bioware’s Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) is widely considered one of the greatest
Star Wars stories of all time. Set nearly 4,000 years before the movies, KOTOR tells the story
of Revan, a Jedi Knight who falls to the dark side and returns to the light in one of the most
compelling redemption arcs in sci-fi.
The story blends Jedi philosophy, galactic politics, and deep moral choices. With the
upcoming KOTOR remake (eventually) on the horizon, now would be the perfect time to
reintroduce Revan and the Mandalorian Wars into canon, potentially tying them into the High
Republic or even The Acolyte. The themes of identity, war, and balance are timeless and
would resonate strongly with modern audiences.
- Dark Empire – Dark Horse Comics
Before The Rise of Skywalker introduced a cloned Emperor Palpatine, there was Dark
Empire. This iconic 1991 comic series from Dark Horse took risks few Star Wars stories
dared, bringing back Palpatine in a clone body, having Luke Skywalker fall to the dark side,
and showcasing galaxy-altering Force abilities.
While controversial, Dark Empire remains a powerful exploration of legacy, corruption, and
redemption. It offers a far more detailed and psychological dive into Luke’s struggle with the
dark side than the sequel trilogy attempted. A canon adaptation could smooth out some of its
wilder elements and offer a more emotionally grounded Luke-centric narrative, helping to
reconcile different eras of Star Wars storytelling.
- Legacy – Dark Horse Comics
Set over 130 years after the original trilogy, Star Wars: Legacy follows Cade Skywalker, a
descendant of Luke who wants nothing to do with the Jedi. The galaxy is once again plunged
into chaos, with a resurgent Sith Empire, fallen Jedi, and fractured alliances.
This series is arguably one of the boldest visions of Star Wars ever conceived, pushing the
timeline forward while retaining the franchise’s mythic core. Cade is a compelling anti-hero
who wrestles with his lineage and his own dark temptations, and the book paints a sprawling
universe that blends old-school Jedi drama with futuristic cyberpunk grit.
With the canon slowly inching past the Skywalker Saga, Legacy could provide a roadmap for
the future. Reviving this timeline would help fans envision what Star Wars looks like beyond
Tatooine, Coruscant, and the Empire.
