Nearly five years have passed since Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker<\/em> proved a floundering ending to an already controversial sequel trilogy. With the new movie set 15 years after that story ends, Disney stands at an inflection point in its Star Wars<\/em> storytelling. Based on the working title, the public assumes that the next Star Wars<\/em> movie will show Rey rebuilding the Jedi Order, and by bridging the gap between the still-beloved Expanded Universe and current canon, Disney’s Lucasfilm can rebuild its goodwill with the disaffected segment of its audience. <\/p>\n Back in the Expanded Universe days, rebuilding the Jedi Order played a crucial role in Luke Skywalker’s ongoing storyline. With Luke out of the picture in Disney canon, the company can use Rey’s post-The Rise of Skywalker<\/em> narrative to honor what a New Jedi Order already means to a large group of devoted Star Wars<\/em> fans by integrating elements of Legends\/Expanded Universe stories into the movies. That still gives Lucasfilm leeway to tell an original tale.<\/p>\n Such tactics have worked for Star Wars <\/em>in the past, with Ahsoka<\/em>‘s Grand Admiral Thrawn<\/a>, The Mandalorian<\/em>‘s Dark Troopers, and even the New Republic itself originating in Legends. While Disney could certainly (and very well may) tell an original story, strong Star Wars<\/em> storytelling integrating elements of Legends stories could have the power to bring some fans back to the box office.<\/p>\n Below are some of the stories, characters, and plotlines of the Legends collection that could most benefit the upcoming Rey-centric movie. Most hail from Kevin J. Anderson\u2019s Jedi Academy<\/em> trilogy, composed of the novels Jedi Search<\/em>, Dark Apprentice<\/em>, and Champions of the Force<\/em>. This article will reference the 19-book New Jedi Order<\/em> series as well.<\/p>\n Be warned: a proper discussion of these Legends titles means spoiling certain plot points.<\/p>\n In the Expanded Universe, Luke\u2019s New Jedi Order departed from the rigid, monastic institution seen in the Star Wars<\/em> prequel trilogy and Star Wars: The Clone Wars<\/em>. Luke\u2019s students had relationships and explored their own interpretations of the Force. Luke also accepted students of any age as, to him, the most important thing in rebuilding the Jedi Order was increasing the number of active Jedi. While characters from Luke\u2019s Jedi Order already have analogues in the movies\u2013Rey and Kylo Ren took on similar roles to Han and Leia\u2019s children Jaina and Jacen Solo\u2013some of the most interesting could still make their way into live-action. <\/p>\n A prime candidate for a movie reimagining is Kyp Durron, a young man Han Solo<\/a> and Chewbacca freed from the spice mines of Kessel. Kyp would become one of the Expanded Universe\u2019s most powerful, controversial Jedi and one of the first new Jedi Masters.<\/p>\n Durron had an aggressive approach to conflict and even turned to the Dark Side before finding his way back to the Light. As a character often portrayed in the EU as a rogue Jedi determined to do good on his own terms, Durron could make an interesting foil for Rey as she tries to determine a direction for the Jedi in the post-Sequel Trilogy era.<\/p>\n The Jedi Academy<\/em> trilogy saw Luke recruiting students from all over the galaxy, which naturally saw him revisiting locations made famous by the films. Luke\u2019s students came from planets, including Bespin<\/a>, Mon Calamari, Kessel, Corellia, and Dathmoir, all of which have appeared in previous Star Wars<\/em> films and television shows.<\/p>\n Adapting such stories will help further flesh out the Star Wars<\/em> universe by showcasing multiple perspectives among one species or people. A Mon Calamari<\/a> Jedi like the EU’s Cilghal shows that Mon Cals aren\u2019t only ship captains or admirals, just as a Dathomirian witch learning to use the Force–the EU’s Kirana Ti–without turning to the Dark Side stops departs from the traditional image of all Dathormirans as villains.<\/p>\n Luke stationed his academy at a Massassi Temple on Yavin IV, tying his post-trilogy story nicely into the site of the Rebels\u2019 destruction of the first Death Star. Even as Rey\u2019s New Jedi Order<\/em> movie likely redefines what it means to be a Jedi, having her academy situated on a previously explored planet could deepen the already-rich lore of the established Star Wars<\/em> universe. Although Yavin IV may not have the same significance for Rey as for Luke, she could easily revisit sequel trilogy planets like Ajan Kloss, Takodana, or even Ahch-To.<\/p>\nLuke\u2019s EU Apprentices Can Challenge Old Jedi Structures<\/h2>\n
![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/wealthofgeeks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/luke-last-jedi-use-the-force-e1695078443889.jpg\" "\\"How")
Familiar Locations and Factions Can Tie Star Wars Stories Together<\/h2>\n
![\"Bespin,](\"https:\/\/wealthofgeeks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/IMG_8584.jpeg\" "\\"How")
New Enemies Can Move Beyond Palpatine\u2019s Schemes<\/h2>\n
![\"Sith,](\"https:\/\/wealthofgeeks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/shutterstock_593072180-scaled-e1686878268641.jpg\" "\\"How")