Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy

Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, penned by Timothy Zahn, is a series of adult-oriented Legends novels. Published by Bantam Spectra, the trilogy comprises Heir to the Empire (1991), Dark Force Rising (1992), and The Last Command (1993).

The events of this trilogy unfold in 9 ABY, which is set five years following the conclusion of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. The narrative centers around the campaign led by the Grand Admiral known as Thrawn.

Novels

Continuity

In 1991, the Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine offered clarification upon the release of Heir to the Empire, the first book in the trilogy. They stated that while Lucasfilm licensed and approved the book, it remained a product of Timothy Zahn's creative imagination, distinct from George Lucas's own narrative and not the official continuation. Sourcebooks released in subsequent years also emphasized that all works set after Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi represented the authors' interpretations of potential future events, not the definitive fates of the characters. Howard Roffman, head of Lucas Licensing, clarified in 1994 that the books following Episode VI were never intended as the story of the planned Episode VII-IX. The second edition of A Guide to the Star Wars Universe, also published in 1994, categorized the trilogy alongside books like Splinter of the Mind's Eye as “officially licensed source that may or may not agree with George Lucas' vision of the Star Wars galaxy” rather than “original Lucasfilm source.” Despite this, some individuals persisted in believing that the Thrawn Trilogy served as the official continuation of Lucas' saga or was based on his plans for Episodes VII-IX. Pablo Hidalgo addressed this notion in the 77th issue of Star Wars Insider in 2004, stating: "That's not the case. Those works are the creation of their respective authors with the guidance of editors at Lucas Licensing. They are not, nor ever were, meant to be George Lucas' definitive vision of what happens next." Following George Lucas's commencement of work on the sequel trilogy and the sale of Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012, these novels, along with other Expanded Universe materials, were relegated to a separate continuity and rebranded as Legends in 2014.

Several references to the Clone Wars appear within the trilogy, but they are contradicted by later portrayals in Episode II and the Clone Wars TV show. For instance, the trilogy suggests that "the clone masters" initiated the Clone Wars in an attempt to "roll over the galaxy." Furthermore, the Dark Force (or Katana fleet) is depicted as a creation of the Republic to showcase its military strength prior to the Clone Wars. This contradicts Episode II, where the Republic explicitly refuses to maintain a standing military until the purchase of the Grand Army of the Republic from the Kaminoans at the Clone Wars' onset.

The trilogy details the campaign led by Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn, spanning from the destruction of the Elomin task force to the Battle of Bilbringi. It also recounts the schemes of the Dark Jedi Joruus C'baoth as he attempts to seize Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa Solo, and her children as his apprentices.

The series was the origin of many prominent figures from the Expanded Universe like Garm Bel Iblis, Talon Karrde, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Gilad Pellaeon, and Mara Jade. These characters would then feature in numerous other Expanded Universe works. Grand Admiral Thrawn became a very popular villain, and appeared in later works. Moreover, the Imperial capital world, Coruscant, was named in the trilogy, and would later appear in the prequel films.

Robert Townson, the vice president of Varèse Sarabande, discussed the possibility of a soundtrack for the trilogy, but it never materialized.

Media

Audio editions

Cover gallery

Sources

Notes and references

External links

  • Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy – Legends Series on Penguin Random House's official website (backup link)

Appearances