A few days ago I noticed an interesting post on the r/starwarsleaks subreddit that hinted that High Republic shows will be here sooner than later and that they may directly tie into the characters from Phase I.
But before we get into the rumors know that every rumor should be taken with a boulder of salt until confirmed. We have no idea if any of this is true. I do think it sounds logical but there are a lot of ways for me to be wrong.
If any of the Phase I High Republic Authors see this they’ll probably get a good laugh. But either way, I think speculation and rumors are fun so we march forward.
Ok here’s the post…
This is likely a burner account. It was relatively new. So there is definitely the possibility that it’s a fake account and just someone trolling. But I’ve been a member of that subreddit for a long time. More often than not, when a new account is created and posts very specific rumors like this one, they turn out to be legit. But not always.
Note: The rest of this post is going to assume that the poster above is legitimate and their leaks are real. I just don’t want to have mention that this could be fake after every few lines.
Let’s break down each rumor one by one.
- Return of the Jedi anthology coming October 2023.
To me this is going to be the 3rd book in the “From A Certain Point of View” Series. Which is very cool but not really anything specific to speculate on in terms of comics. So, the only thing I’m going to say is that I’m going to buy it.
2. Sarwat Chadda is writing a Visions Volume 2 novel based on a short from the studio Digitoonz.
Digitoonz is an India based animation studio that has done work for Ninja Turtles, Doctor Who, Solar Opposites (I love this show), and Rick and Morty. I don’t know anything about this studio or their involvement in Star Wars. Digitoonz isn’t listed as a production company for any of the Visions volume 1 episodes. I do know that Sarwat Chadda is best known for Young Adult and Middle Grade books so this may be a YA Novel for the young fans to enjoy.
Regardless I’m hyped for Visions Volume II.
Now on the to the rumor that caused me to write this post in the first place.
3. High Republic phase 2 wasn’t originally going to be a prequel. The change was made a few years ago in order to give more time for TV projects to be integrated into the initiative. Phase 3 and beyond are being developed with TV tie-ins in mind.
First off, holy shit! The implications of this for comic collectors is enormous. For anyone who hasn’t followed the High Republic publishing initiative very closely it’s split up into 3 phases.
High Republic Phase I: Set ~200 years prior to the events in the Phantom Menace. Follows the Jedi in their conflict with a group of space pirates/terrorists called the Nihil. They also have conflicts with a dark side hive mind plant species called the Drengir.
High Republic Phase II: Set 150 years before the events in Phase I. So roughly 350 years prior to the events in The Phantom Menace. The first comics/books for this come out in October. You can see a full list of comics, books, and variants on our High Republic Phase II Checklist.
High Republic Phase III: Not much is known about this phase other than it is supposed to be the final phase of the initiative. Base on how cliffhanger-y the Phase I ending was, it would be a shock if it did not pick up immediately where Phase I left off.
So, with that in mind, there are a ton of storylines in Phase I of the High Republic that need to be concluded. Which ones make the most sense for a show?
The Curious Case of Charles Soule’s New Role With Lucasfilm
Before Star Wars Celebration, Charles Soule tweeted that he’d been added to the Lucasfilm as a Creative Consultant.
I’ve thought about this a lot. What content would Lucasfilm want/need feedback from Charles with? I mean, Soule is a great writer and I personally enjoy his work, but I feel there’s a higher bar required to be consulted.
My point is that I’m not sure Lucasfilm would bring him on as a consultant just because he’s popular and writes good stories. To me they’d want him on for his expertise with certain characters. Especially characters (or eras) that he’s created.
So, what stories has Soule created? Here’s a few…
Lando, Obi-Wan and Anakin, Poe Dameron, Star Wars (2020), Star Wars Darth Vader (2017), War of the Bounty Hunters, Crimson Reign – All really fun stories but there is nothing in these stories that would require insight from Soule to write a show about. Most of the main characters and the eras they take place were created by other authors. (This is not a knock on Soule either. It’s just the way the industry works.)
The Rise of Kylo Ren -> He tells the backstory as to how Ben Solo got mixed up with the Knights of Ren but since none of these characters were technically created by Soule I’m not sure he’d be essential for this project. Could still be a possibility though.
The High Republic: The Eye of the Storm -> Hmm Interesting. Marchion Ro’s origin story. A character Soule did create. Let’s talk more about this in a minute.
My opinion? Is that Charles Soule was hired as a creative consultant to work on a High Republic project. He’s one of the main architects of the story and was tasked with introducing the era in his novel The Light of The Jedi.
Now, he certainly could have been hired as consultant for The Acolyte. It’s a show that takes place at the end of The High Republic and the story group likely wants some tie-ins to the publishing initiative even though the story in the show is 150 years or so after the events from the books and comics.
That being said, I don’t think the Acolyte is what the leaker was referencing because that I don’t see why they would have to do a prequel for Phase II because it likely doesn’t involve many (or any) of the characters from Phase I.
There would be no reason to change up the publishing schedule to accommodate shows unless the shows involve characters from the publishing initiative. Just using logic there. I have no inside info.
This is why I brought up Charles Soule’s new role with Lucasfilm. Assuming he will be involved with any High Republic content directly related to the books and comics, what characters are most likely to be featured?
To me, the clear choices here are Avar Kriss and Marchion Ro. While being involved in the entire story architecture, Soule’s contributions as an author are headlined by The Light of the Jedi novel and the 2 issue Marvel mini-series, Star Wars The High Republic: The Eye of the Storm.
Each one is literally named after one of the characters; The “Light of the Jedi” is a nod to Avar Kriss and The Eye of the Storm is Marchion Ro’s actual title within the Nihil. Plus Soule has never shied away from expressing his admiration for the two characters.
The continuation of their stories will 100% be in Phase III and, assuming the leak is true, seem like no brainers to be included in Phase III shows.
Who else is likely? I think there are four more that are pretty much guaranteed.
- Elzar Mann: Not only did Soule write him into the main Star Wars comic run in Star Wars 20, but Elzar’s relationship with Avar and his struggles to contain the darkness within him are one of the main storylines of Phase I.
- Bell Zettifar: While Avar (The Light of the Jedi), Elzar (The Rising Storm), and Stellen Gios (The Fallen Star) all have novels named after them the one constant in every book is Bell Zettifar being featured. He reminds me of Obi-Wan in the Phantom Menace and I think the authors are setting him up to be the hero of the stories when the elder Jedi fail.
- Keeve Trennis: Keeve is not included in the novels but is a main character of the Marvel comic run. Like Bell, she’s constantly the voice of reason when the overwhelmed Jedi Masters of the era start to slip. She’s also the only character connected to the only Sith we’ve seen in the Era, Darth Krall, when he attacked her in a vision. Also, from Cavan Scott’s, Dooku Jedi Lost book, we know that she eventually leaves the order and becomes a member of the Lost 20.
- Darth Krall: Keeve’s story will be about Darth Krall and how his interactions with her will someone lead to her leaving the order. If Keeve is involved in the project then Krall will be as well. At least you’d think.
- Burryaga Agaburry: The sensitive Wookiee Jedi is also a constant in the three adult novels and acts as a support character for Bell. If Bell is involved in a Phase III TV show then Burryaga will as well since their arcs are tied together. Plus he’s a Wookiee Jedi and that will play well on screen.
I know there are a lot of “ifs” here. But if this rumor is true and if Charles Soule is the Project Luminous author tapped to be the consultant on the story, then those are the characters I think will for sure be included.
Comic Speculation for a High Republic TV Phase III TV Show.
I have a full Phase 1 variant checklist and reading order post on the way but here are the books I’m looking closest at. There are others that are decent spec picks but these are the best in my opinion.
- Star Wars: The High Republic #1
- First appearance Avar Kriss, Keeve Trennis, Sskeer, and cameos of Burryaga Agaburry and Elzar Mann
- Ebay Listings
- Star Wars #20
- First full appearance Elzar Mann
- Ebay Listings
- Star Wars: Life Day #1
- First full appearance Burryaga Agaburry and his master Nib Assek.
- Ebay Listings
- Star Wars High Republic Adventures #2
- First appearance Marchion Ro
- Ebay Listings
- Star Wars High Republic #7
- First appearance Darth Krall and Orla Jareni
- Ebay Listings
- Star Wars High Republic Adventures Annual #1
- First appearances of Bell Zettifar, Loden Greatstorm, Porter Engle, and Indeera Stokes
- Ebay Listings
- Star Wars High Republic Eye of the Storm #1
- Origin of Marchion Ro and first appearance of his father and grandmother
- Ebay Listings
That’s all for now.
If/when this is proven wrong feel free to come back and make fun of me.
I can take it. 🙂
Grand Admiral Frik
