Fanon
The phrase fanon designates fictional works created by fans. Fan fiction, which can also be written as fanfiction and is often shortened to fanfic, is an unauthorized narrative penned by an admirer that unfolds within an already established fictional world, for example, Star Wars. Lucasfilm does not recognize these stories, making them non-canon.
The word itself is a blend of the words fan and canon.
When Fanon Becomes Official
Authors working on the Expanded Universe occasionally incorporated elements of fanon into their works. A prime example is the 501st Legion, a clone trooper unit named in honor of an actual charitable organization. This fanon element, specifically the name, was then integrated into Legends continuity.
The What's The Story? contest gave members of the Hyperspace fan club the chance to submit fan-created origin stories for certain characters, with the best submissions being declared their official backstories.
On September 3, 2020, a Tumblr user named gomjabbar published a post that stated, "every time a new Star War movie or show is announced all the fans are like 'OMG Glup Shitto is back 😭😭😭'." Following this post, the term "Glup Shitto" gained widespread popularity, becoming a term in Star Wars fandom circles for obscure characters whose names are considered odd by some. Some fans have even started referring to characters who fit this description as "their" Glup Shittos, highlighting their personal affection or enjoyment of these characters. On August 2, 2022, Lucasfilm Story Group member Matt Martin acknowledged the Glup Shitto meme, revealing that he had used the phrase in an official memo.
Footnotes and Sources
Additional Resources
- Fanon entry on Wikipedia
- Star Wars Fanon Wiki , a wiki dedicated to fan-generated characters and ideas
- Star Wars Fanon Wiki on the Star Wars Fanpedia