The Gap: The 10 Years Between TPM and AOTC

For those who want a short summary, or a TL;DR, here you go: What's up with the ten years between TPM and AOTC? What stuff do you expect to come out from this massive time period that has very little material.


Okay folks, it's Star Wars year, and as much as we all want to see The Force Awakens ASAP, I know there are many of us, like myself, who are enjoying the new books, Star Wars: Rebels, toys, etc. To cover what's canon (confirmed to be), we have the Star Wars Saga (TPM, AOTC, ROTS, ANH, TESB, and ROTJ), The Clone Wars TV show (2008-2014), Star Wars Rebels TV show, A New Dawn, Tarkin, Heir to the Jedi, Lords of the Sith, Dark Disciple, several young adult novels, the Marvel Star Wars comic series', new toys, and several Star Wars Insider stories.

Now if we look at that, the gaps between ANH and TESB are being closed, the years between ROTS and ANH is being established, the three years between AOTC and ROTS are basically covered (and extremely well, if I might add). So not including the Sequel Trilogy, we have two periods that are empty - the one year between TESB and ROTJ, and since this is the prequel thread...

The 10 years between TPM and AOTC. Ten. Years.

Now there were some stories, like Outbound Flight, a couple of games, and a kids book series, like Jedi Quest (Not half bad, intriguing, but not good overall. Plus its merchandising was cut, so it could never be like Shadows of the Empire of the original Clone Wars TV show), but really, what true narrative is there? In AOTC, we encounter a now arrogant Anakin, a worn-out and weaker Obi-Wan (but a much better negotiator), the introduction of Kamino, Geonosis, the Clones, Count Dooku, Jango Fett, etc. For that many elements, which all have the potential to be even larger, none of it was explored. We have between AOTC and ROTS the evolution of Obi-Wan , the frowth, peak and eventual downfall of Anakin, creation of Ashoka and the humane Clones, as well as intriguing looks to the countless species' in the galaxy. But we haven't experienced that with the huge 10 year gap.

But this time period will be addressed sooner or later, no doubt. Why Sifo-Diyas and Dooku acted as radicals, why Anakin both respected and loathed Obi-Wan, how Obi-Wan dealt with Anakin in 10 years and became weaker than before and in the Clone Wars, how Kamino was erased and its creations slowly succeeded, why the Droid Army was built up, how Jango Fett became the source code for a false army, why Boba was created and left unaltered, etc. As important is how these very separate events occurred and slowly culminated into AOTC. The Prequels have several of their fallings because of creating a complex story, and as a result teh movies are the final acts to galaxy's changes. We have AOTC to ROTS down very well, but TPM to AOTC is fresh ground and needs to be explored, and done very well. The importance to the years doesn't have to be as action-packed as the Cone Wars, simply because its a decade of peace, not three years of war.

Now to finish up my point, TPM to AOTC is uncharted land. It soon will be, however. I see a huge comic line, merchandising, special episodes, novels, all bursting from this time period, and I expect this to begin shortly after the Sequel Trilogy movies, or between Episode VII and Episode IX. Though I have said a lot, I also would like to hear from you guys in The Cantina. What, when, how, and what results do you guys expect from this massive ten year gap that NEEDS TO and WILL BE COVERED.

 

I agree to a certain extent. But since all of them are key figures in the Prequel Trilogy, they will be focused and built up even more. Also, Disney is focusing on the Original Trilogy because of its connections to the Sequel Trilogy, and the fact the main stars of the Original Trilogy are in The Force Awakens, it'll be focused on after the Sequel Trilogy.

 

Agreed, a series or at least a huge comic series with game tie ins like Shadows of the Empire needs to be done. I can see a series, but it would be even less of a mixed narrative than The Clone Wars. I mean, it is a time of peace, we should see some important stuff, but it should be underground, more personal, etc. That's the only reason why I see a comic series as more probable. And more solid Star Wars content is a must, and I trust Marvel to deliver now that their base comics are very diverse and not afraid to take chances on unique and original and even groundbreaking concepts!

 

Personal for sure. We've seen Anakin as the Hero With No Fear and Obi-Wan as The Negotiator in TCW. I'd like to see Anakin grown and reasons for arrogance, love/respect for Obi-Wan, and I would love to see a sorrowful Obi-Wan, struggling with Anakin, changing his dueling form from Form 3 to Form 4 for defense (needs to be recanonized!) and Palpatine being a bit insidious with Anakin and the whole galaxy. Don't even get me started for Dooku, Kamino and Jango Fett!

 

No doubt it'll take a while. Remember when the gap between Episode 3 and Episode 4 was basically another void? I have hope it'll happen sooner than most people believe, however, thanks to Star Wars: Rebels, Lords of the Sith, A New Dawn , and the Kanan comic book series that's coming out. Let's hope Disney's strategy of a unified story works off really well!

 

Ewan is such a talented actor, he made Obi-Wan even greater than ever for me, even with some clunky dialogue Animation will be tougher though, since Disney seems to be limiting some of the costs for Rebels, regarding the reuse of the background characters, but the season final sneak peek looks very strong animation-wise. I want to see animation, but shorts like the first Tom and Jerry's aren't very viable today to my knowledge.