10 Favorite Expanded Universe Elements in Canon
Updated: Mar 10
I'm back with another Guru 10 list. Today's list will feature my 10 favorite elements from the Expanded Universe/Legends brand (EU) that have made their way into the official Star Wars canon. Diving right in..
1. Death Watch
In the Legends brand, the Death Watch first appeared in 2002's JANGO FETT: OPEN SEASONS, a comic series published by Dark Horse Comics. Death Watch, in the Legends brand, were a Mandalorian splinter group who disregarded the Supercommando Codex. They fought against the faction known as the True Mandalorians.
In canon, the Death Watch first appeared in the television series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. The Death Watch are a Mandalorian splinter group who oppose the pacifist views of the faction known as the New Mandalorians. I was very happy to see the Death Watch make the transition into canon.
2. Inquisitors
When it comes to the Inquisitors of the Expanded Universe, I usually think of Jerec. He was a Miraluka and a former Jedi who became an agent of the Empire. These Force-sensitive agents made their transition into Star Wars canon when the television series STAR WARS REBELS premiered. Sadly, Jerec hasn't been made canon, but the organization he belonged to has been. I'll take that. The Inquisitors in canon do not go by their names, like in the Expanded Universe. Instead, they are given a number and called "Brother" or "Sister" depended on the sex (example: 5th Brother, 7th Sister).
3. Moraband
Formerly known as Korriban in the Star Wars Legends brand, Moraband is the ancient homeworld of the Sith. Why the name change? Well, we have George Lucas to thank for that. Apparently, George Lucas felt Korriban sounded too similar to Coruscant. Not wanting to confuse fans, he changed the name to Moraband. So, whether you call it Korriban or Moraband, we're all Star Wars fans here.
4. Nightsisters
The Nightsisters were one of my favorite Force using factions in the Expanded Universe. With memorable characters like Mighella, Silri, and Tamith Kai who wouldn't like the EU version of the Nightsisters?
The Nightsisters eventually made their way into canon, thanks to the series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. Their inclusion into canon had a huge impact on the series, influencing the stories of characters like Asajj Ventress and Darth Maul.
5. Quinlan Vos
Vos is a fan favorite character among the Star Wars community. This Expanded Universe character was based off of a background character in THE PHANTOM MENACE. The character can be seen when Sebulba attacks Jar Jar Binks. Quinlan would go on to make his first appearance in the 2000 Dark Horse comic book STAR WARS 17: EMISSARIES TO MALASTARE, PART 5. His dark story arc made him a beloved character. That is still mostly the case with his canon story, thanks to the novel DARK DISCIPLE. I do find it funny that in Star Wars canon he sounds like a surfer dude, who smokes a lot of green stuff. Vos makes his first canon mention in STAR WARS EPISODE III, and we finally see him on screen in all his glory in the television series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS.
6. Darth Bane
Darth Bane really isn't an Expanded Universe character since he was created by George Lucas in the 90s during pre-production for THE PHANTOM MENACE. I'm including him on the list, however, because his Legends brand counterpart is probably the most well known version of the character. Bane finally makes his on-screen canon debut in season 6 of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. His look is completely different compared to his EU version.
7. Thrawn
Thrawn is such a Star Wars legend that it would have been insane for Lucasfilm not to bring the character into canon. This character's legacy is responsible for keeping the fire of Star Wars alive when there really wasn't much going on with the franchise. I do believe STAR WARS REBELS did a great job with keeping true to the character we know and love.
8. Malachor
My fellow fans of KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC II, should love this little addition to Star Wars canon. An obvious take on the Legends brand planet Malachor V. Only thing missing now is Darth Traya. If only dreams could so easily come true.
9. 100 Year Darkness
With characters like XoXaan, Karness Muur, and Ajunta Pall, the 100 Year Darkness had some really cool characters taking part in this event. These characters would go on to appear in several other story arcs that I think many fans would agree are good reads, or game in Ajunta Pall's case.
Sadly, these characters have yet to be mentioned in canon, but the 100 Year Darkness has been mentioned. Thank you Lucasfilm and Marvel. In the Legends Brand, The 100 Year Darkness gave birth to the original Lords of the Sith. This is the case as well in canon.
10. Mandalorian Wars
Arguably the coolest story from the Expanded Universe days, the Mandalorian War against the Jedi was pure epicness. We get a lot of information on this war in KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC (both the game and comic series), this war kept me entertained from start to finish. The Mandalorian Wars have been brought back into canon by some comments stated by several characters in the television shows STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS and STAR WARS REBELS. We even see some cool background art of the war in the shows. This event has a lot of story potential. Let us hope Lucasfilm capitalizes on that. Still no mentions of Revan or Malak, though. What's up with that, Lucasfilm?
What do you think of these Expanded Universe elements in canon? What characters, factions, and locations would you like to make the transition? Let me know in the comments below.