SPECULATION The High Republic

I think ultimately the reason they choose this era has to do with Yoda. I think they wouldn't take the risk of jumping into a new era without at least one familiar character to promote the new movies with. With this 400 years prior to the Skywalker saga period Yoda can be the character to "sell" the movies with. The reaction to baby Yoda must be their confirmation that this is the way.

What I expect to be in there:
- Coruscant, jedi temple, will be back as the start of the journey for the heroes of this storyline.
- As it goes into the unknown regions we might see Ahch-To. Maybe it was even used as a jedi temple back then?
- I expect that the rule of two will play some role in the background. Maybe we will see the Darths of that time slowely manipulate the galaxy in some sort of way.
- I hope that they will tie the Skywalker era in with a vision of the future; perhaps Yoda has a premenition and is able to prevent an earlier rise of the Sith, while failing to prevent the later rise in the Skywalker era.
- I would love to see a live-action Ilum. If they would also make a live-action series in this era, they should follow a jedi master with a young padawan who has to get it's crystal there. It would be a chance to show how Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon used to live their lives before episode 1 to fans who don't read the books or comics or don't watch the animated series.
- Also expect some KOTOR storylines to perhaps be reused in this storyline. Revan has become canon once more, though the time that he lived is not specified. So they could change this to 400 years before the Skywalker era and make him appear in Yoda's prime. I am not saying they will, but this could be an option.

Most of all I expect it to be visually stunning. Until now the Unknown Regions have been always portrayed as a region with black holes, mysterious creatures, etc. Also, both Jedi and Sith have a planet there, which gives room for speculation. Did they originate from that region? Did they ever have a battle there? Etc.

 

Are we going to see a Maz & Yoda romance?

 

I didn't think of that but Maz could show up too of course. And as "she's run this watering hole for a thousand years" Takodana might show up then too. It's a shame Chewie is only a century old, otherwise we could see a Maz - Chewbacca adventure. I would have been up for a story of them teaming up with the Jedi.

 

There wont be no Sith right ?
Didnt Windu say that the Maul vs Qui Gon fight was the first time in 1000 years that a Jedi met a Sith ?

 

I don't now what I want, because I don't want to be able to guess. Give me something new. Don't tell the same old story. The chief weakness of the sequel trilogy was playing is safe. Lucasfilm needs to push the story forward.

 

So we are pushing the story forward.....by going backward?

 

Something new please.
Bringing back Yoda? I would prefer not bringing him back.
The "younger" Yoda from the prequels was lame enough to me.
Lightsaber and CGI does not combine with the little green goblin.

Just hope to see anything new, avoiding the same old characters.

 

The Sith are there under the Rule of Two, but they're in the background and I'd say extremely unlikely to make an appearance unless the Jedi Council are just as conceited then as they are 400 years later and try to pass it off as if it were a Sasquatch sighting.

 

What I thought of is that they might give the Sith a role as "the return of Sauron" in the Hobbit trilogy. Something that is present but does not prevail yet. It's interesting that Sith Gods are mentioned, because what role did they play? I expect them to somehow connect to episode 9.

Mace Windu says the Sith have been extinct for a millenium, but that does not mean the Sith can't fight Jedi. As long as the Jedi die during that fight or they get taken and never return to the republic that could be a scenario. In Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter (legends) for example Maul killed a jedi before Phantom Menace.

 

The 'High Republic' era is an interesting setting. In the current canon the Galatic Republic was present from about 1000 BBY until ROTS.


Most likely appearances of already known characters:

- Yoda
Pretty much a given IMO. You can't tell a story about the Jedi without showing Yoda. But I hope he hasn't a huge role.

- Maz
She knows a lot of people I guess...

- Jabba
This would be interesting. If people notice that the Jedi are exploring the unkown regions, then some of them certainly want to have a piece of that cake too. Especially criminals, mercenaries etc.

 

This is Lucasfilm’s attempt to tell new stories with new characters that do not rely on what has been told before. While Yoda might make an appearance I would suspect it will be ancillary as they are going to build the story around the new characters being created. It sounds like much of the new content moving forward is going to center around this timeline and it will all end up interconnecting in some way. I don’t think they are going to try to connect it with the current timeline much because by going 400 years before it, they are purposely pulling away from it. As we have seen from the ST, fans have too many preconceived notions of what should and should not happen which leads to a fair amount of dissatisfaction with the product. Project Luminous appears to give us brand new SW stories and characters. If it is true they are going to be taking place primarily in the unknown regions we will be experiencing new places as well. I am excited to see what come from this as I am ready to move on to something different. New characters, timelines and worlds are welcome.

 

I would have rather set it before Yoda was born, but I'm fine with era, I want a story were their are lots of Jedi and force users running around and this would be that, so it that respect I'm in!

 

While this is mostly guess work on my part, my suspicion is that the High Republic era takes place after the final Mandalorian conflict that left their home planet a nigh uninhabitable radioactive desert. Corporate entities would be interesting, as there are plenty to choose from: The Trade Federation, Techno Union, Commerce Guild, Banking Clan, Czerka, ect. There are the below board entities. While this assumption is based purely off of material that is no longer part of the current canon (at least for now), I'd say it's pretty likely that the Hutt cartels have existed for many, many years and will make an appearance to some extent. Also viable is the Hutts' biggest rival, the Black Sun cartel.

Though also interesting, and what I would really love to see, would be an exploration of any powers that be within the Unknown Regions, which have developed outside of Republic space. The best and most obvious example of this being the Chiss Ascendancy, though I doubt they're the only powerhouse in that region of space.

 

Don't forget the Banking Clan as well. So yeah, those are two groups which would be familiar to old fans and tie it into the previous films, even if only just superficially. You also have groups like the Guardians of the Whills. Then, as you mentioned, you have the Mandalorians, the Hutts and others.

And, I think you mentioned it in your first post (sorry I'm too lazy right now to scroll up LOL) but this era is, for the. most part, a blank slate. I can't think of any books/comics/etc. that deals with this time period in the old EU. Add to it (again you mentioned) the Prophecy of the Chosen One, and yeah, this could be cool. This could be really cool.

 

I for one, am looking forward to seeing more roguish Jedi, similar to Qui-Gon. All we've seen so far are a complacent, arrogant Jedi Order and its weary, battle hardened remnants.
It'll be nice to return to their roots, and see the more adventurous and charming beings their legends are based on.

 

The way I see Disney moving forward (backward hihi) with the high republic is:

- They should mimic what has been done with the MMO The Old Republic in term of characters/story line. The rumours seem to be pointing towards how marvel has different characters with individual stories but are all interlinked and having meetups. Also all the heroes have their own personalities (rich billionaire in an armoured suit, military guy, a scientist etc). So I picture them having different type of characters to please all fans; a jedi/force user, a strong one, a bounty hunter/gadget user, a shooter, etc (I'm not a very creative person haha). Something kind of done in rebels but in a larger scale. All will have their own enemies (cartel, sith fighter, etc) but there is one big bad guy/girl (the thanos equivalent, the three sith gods ?) they have to face together. In a business point of view it’s a safe move.

- I bet some characters will be more urban to showcase this high republic, Coruscant, jedi order? With others being more in “country side”, wild planets to explain what’s happening in the galaxy 400yrs ago. The PT fans complained (me too) there wasn’t enough politics in the ST, I’m sure they’ll have a “menu” to satisfy all type of star wars fans but being in the same timeline.

-That could be how they tie in younger yoda as being a sort of leader for the team or just the force users, to avoid being a main character but be present but not in all films. As mentionned above, the prophecy might be mentionned in the "force user story line", i'd like that.

-This gives them flexibility and allow them to test different characters/stories before the “avenger” equivalent. I hope like many they use this opportunity to show us many new planets and factions and ambiance.