The Star Wars Canon is Unchanging and Not Really Open to Interpretation
A constant problem in the Star Wars fandom is that fans often misinterpret statements by the creators and executives in the franchise, many times taking the personal opinions and thoughts from these people as hard canonical facts – which might not be the most wise approach. These scenarios most often center around comments from the Lucasfilm Story Group’s Pablo Hidalgo, who frequently takes to Twitter to answer the fans’ burning Star Wars questions.
Here are some recent tweets that have led to some confusion:
On occasion when asked about something specific, I’ll answer, ‘Canon doesn’t split those hairs.’ What do I mean by that?
— Pablo Hidalgo (@pablohidalgo) July 4, 2017
It means it’s a detail that isn’t catalogued. It’s an increment beneath notice. And stuff like that typically means artifacts of the medium.
— Pablo Hidalgo (@pablohidalgo) July 4, 2017
So, I don’t see there being such a thing as ‘canon dialog’. Because a comic, novel, cartoon, live action version of an event will differ.
— Pablo Hidalgo (@pablohidalgo) July 4, 2017
Some have taken this to mean that the finer details of the Star Wars Canon are really not all that important, concluding that many events are open to interpretation and can even be changed in the future by other story tellers.
I think what’s happening in these instances is simply that leaps are being made based on Pablo’s comments that Pablo himself never intended for people to make. He stated that “Canon doesn’t split those hairs”, talking about the fact that not every little detail is spelled out. He even uses this mindset to dodge the “Who shot first?” debacle by stating that “all that’s canon is that two people entered that booth, & Greedo died. Reports vary”.
It doesn’t mean that there isn’t one true version of an event, or that canonical events can be changed. A lot of things in the Star Wars universe are simply undefined until someone creates a definition for it in a future story. Other things, which are already defined and clearly presented in canon, are in fact locked in. That’s not going change.
Pablo’s point on dialog is actually quite interesting though, as I have wondered about this very thing myself, noticing the subtle differences in the dialog across media presenting the same story. His clarification on that point actually makes a lot of sense when you consider that language used in an adult novel might not always be considered appropriate for younger readers.
I actually noticed a similar instance of this when reading the junior novelization of The Force Awakens. In the movie and adult novel, Poe flies in to save the day at Maz’s castle, shooting several TIE’s out of the sky in quick succession when Finn exclaims, “That’s one hell of a pilot!” In the junior novel though, he says, “heck of a pilot”. What’s canon is that Poe saved the day and Finn was elated and amazed at the abilities of the pilot. The dialog can fluctuate from medium to medium.
So, let’s not make too big of a leap here. Try to view Star Wars from a real-world historical perspective. There are many events that people would unanimously agree are historical fact, yet ask 10 different people to recount that history to you, and you will get 10 different answers. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they are not all true (or at least mostly true), just that the event was experienced from a certain point of view which acts as a filter for their story.
Obi-Wan said it himself in Return of the Jedi:
“Luke, you’re going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.”
In conclusion, it’s not that the finer details are not important, or that certain events can be changed, but rather – these events can be experienced in slightly different ways across media. For me, it enriches the experience to see different creators tackle the same story with their own ideas and unique flavor.
Rest assured, when the Ghost enters the fray at the Battle of Scarif in the final season of Rebels – we may get a different perspective on the event – but the shield gate will still be destroyed, the plans will still be transmitted to the Rebel Fleet, and Leia will still escape with those plans aboard the Tantive IV with Vader in hot pursuit. We probably won’t see Vader slaughtering all those rebels on Disney XD, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
Jordan Pate is Co-Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net, of which he is also a member of the book and comic review team. He loves all things Star Wars, but when he's not spending time in the galaxy far far away, he might be found in our own galaxy hanging out in Gotham City or at 1407 Graymalkin Lane, Salem Center, NY.
This is good to know. I’ve enjoyed the new canon for the most part the only real disappointment I’ve had with the material is that it does a lot of hinting at stuff but it doesn’t necessarily reveal anything big. Its really just a minor complaint considering I’d rather see the big moments on screen than read them.
Yeah, that really bugged me at first ’cause I felt like they were holding out on us. But really, the big things HAVE to be revealed in the films – because most fans are probably only familiar with that medium. I learned to just enjoy the stories and stop waiting for the big reveals. When I did that, I started really enjoying the books and comics a great deal more.
The films are the tentpoles of the franchise, the greater marks in terms of events, but some important reveals occur in the other mediums too. Important to us, fans, for sure. Even if the overall history gravitates around the films, all events matter in some sort. The movies marks points to guide everyone.
I treat all forms as somewhat important overall, but knowing that the trully gamechanging events usual come on film. Not all, some novels and comics carry amazing facts too.
I love the tight keep the Tolkien estate, or JK Rowling have on their work. Star Wars has been a mess for some time now, (and I do love the EU) in favor of selling all kinds of shit.
They do have tighter reign but Rowling has become sick in the head lately like Lucas in terms of “revisions”.
I don’t follow HP.. what’s been going on?
that much of chaos because some pices of dialogue slightly differ? I mean, the junior novel “heck-hell” change was obviously done because “hell” is considered PG-13 language. Still the movie scene everyone said features the term “hell”. But lastly, as much as I would prefer hell over heck, the issue is irrelevant. No scene has been presented with such differnces which would disrupt continuity.
i find it pretty amusing that hell is still considered a swear word in some quarters.
I agree on that. I mean, both “hell” and “damn” are considered officially that, and because of that such terms as “heck” or “dang” came to be, which act as sobstitution of the aforementioned words…
I honestly think people have too much time on their hands if they are worried about this. SW is meant to be enjoyed not dissected.
I have too much time on my hands, it’s actually dripping all over. I’ll be right back…
TMI
Biggest grievance I have with everything being canon is that even the shitty stories count now whereas before you could pick and choose. That and a lot of more recent stuff seems geared towards a readership who has never read a book outside of HS though considering most Americans read at a 4th grade level it is not entirely unexpected.
Why can’t you still do that? That makes no sense.
Also, judging from the way you type, you have zero right to judge anyone’s reading level.
Pablo’s comments are geared towards comments like this. You’re complaining about these new stories being Canon, yet your complaint lies with HOW the stories are written. Not every story is going to amaze you – Star Wars or not. Yet the details of these stories are a part of the overall Canon now.
That’s precisely why I love the reset of the books and their definitive inclusion as Canon. The old EU had not only crap books (among great reads), but even the facts/details of their stories were horrible. The thought of some of those facts/books being considered Canon is just ridiculous. Now all of those details are scrutinized and mandated by the folks at Lucasfilm. I like that. But then, I can handle a poorly-written book and still enjoy the story within.
I think exactly like you. The sense of the facts in a novel, comic etc being important in a historical level enhance my apreciation for the story, even if that particular instance is not so good. Not all the stories will please everyone. Damn, there are people who disliked Rogue One… It’s their right. But nonetheless, it counts, the Prequel counts, the C-3PO standalone comic, the short stories, etc.
Anyone can choose the stories that likes the most to consume, BUT all stories counts. Is like real History. Facts and events happened. Our taste and opinions about it won’t change what happened. It is a grounded take. I love Lucasfilm for carry on that way. For me its the best thing about Star Wars today.
Pablo spells out common sense; nerds riot.
SNAFU
Yeah, that was already my basic understanding. Some things just can’t be controlled precisely enough to ever line up perfectly with “canon” and with each other.
It just sounds like he’s trying to dodge who shot first.
No? It’s just a detail that doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Wrong answer.
https://www.google.com/amp/ew.com/article/2015/11/30/george-lucas-han-shoot-first/amp/
Wrong. It’s just a detail. Doesn’t matter in the end. Look, I HATE the change, but it doesn’t change anything in the overall story.
Really? It helps to define the character within the first few minutes that the audience meets him. It’s very important.
Not really though b/c the special edition shows otherwise and life was just fine.
I guess I just don’t like the pussy-fied version of Han.
I don’t like it either, but nothing is ruined. And calling him pussy-fied bc he didn’t shoot a dude first is silly.
And so do other scenes. Again, I don’t like it, but it didn’t change much.
Pablo honey, come to Florida…
He was just here at Celebration.
You’re adorable.
I know. I also enjoy the jerky boys 😉
and Radiohead.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/11f59915dc31cb9983c365de40ecb21c25e1f8195196cadd15c142625b8585b6.jpg
“…all that’s canon is that two people entered that booth, & Greedo died. Reports vary”.
To quote Mark Hamill, this is where I ‘fundamentally disagree’. Han shooting first is a character-defining moment and needs to be the definitive account. This particular altercation should not be open to interpretation.
Except it’s not because nowhere else does he showcase such a characteristic.
He doesn’t need to. The scene with Greedo sets him up nicely as a ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ kind of guy.
The Han I know would have shot Greedo before he had the chance to blow his brains out (which is what would have happened if Greedo’s aim was better).
Letting Greedo get the drop on him significantly alters the ‘start point’ of the character, from which his arc begins.
Sounds like you’re going to be really pissed come May 2018.
God, I really hope not!
Based on your comments above, I guarantee you will not like the Han presented to you in that film. Safe bet.
I can only hope you are wrong. But it wouldn’t surprise me if they make him a moralistic ‘hero’ from the start. Sigh.
I have no doubt that they will butcher the character that we first saw in ANH…
PERFECTLY STATED!
He isn’t a coldblooded killer, but he is still callous and greedy as shown in other scenes. Still Han.
But shooting Greedo first when he had a gun on him doesn’t make him a cold blooded killer. He wasn’t just walking down the street, saw Greedo and shot him. Big difference. Also, IMO I always thought of the SW universe as having a warped interpretation on morality. You pull a gun on me and I have the right to kill you and not feel bad about it. Nobody else seems to have cared all that much that someone was murdered in the Catina, they just go back to their drinks, and the janitor cleans up what remains of Greedo. Hell, there were two murders in the span of 20 minutes with buttface’s arm being chopped off.
EDIT: I may have misinterpreted what you were saying, if that is the case then, move along. Move along.
No worries 🙂
It’s because he came across a group of people that he cared about and changed…that was a big part of his character…smuggler, just in it for the money, shoot your ass first,,, if needed…to a person who cares deeply about his friends and finds a cause, worth fighting for.
we got to see his character transform and change and I think the original Greedo scene helped this.
I don’t disagree, but there were other scenes that showcased his greed and such. It’s not like it was lost forever.
not lost forever, but shouldn’t have changed…I’ll always believe Lucas intended him to be a wild west version of a gunslinger. It’s not written anywhere, but Han sure had that feel about him in ANH.
We of course will probably see a very watered down Han in the upcoming movie…imo.
I doubt that. Kasdan, remember.
TFA, remember …obviously he’s not in his old form. but time will tell friend.
yeah, he did a terrific job with Han and Harrison put forth his best performance in years. Time done told.
lol….blahhh. but different opinions.
I am ok with that too. We don’t need to be ultra-picky about this.
Well disney sure fucked this up. Why did they have to de-canonize the old EU? Greedy bastards. I cannot just unlearn everything that I have learned.
Then you would be a poor Padawan, according to Yoda. Perhaps the lessons of these stories are not getting through to you.
Comments like these seem to make their argument for reason of dropping the EU, not make sense anymore. They are starting to understand why Lucasfilm originally had levels of canon in the old EU…it was to deal with the details that us SW fans love to nitpick about. That’s what we do and have always done!
Now they have found that they can’t control all of the details in one “BIG” canon universe and Pablo sends out these kinds of comments.
Seeing how they can’t control this new Canon and the small details, why not start printing more EU novels and make it a separate timeline or different universe…much like Marvel has done with great success! Then maybe the characters from the old EU (whom are much more interesting and powerful) would find out about this new universe and blow it the hell up!!!
Because a lot of those EU novels are bad?
Also there is a Death Star sized difference between finer details, and having to continue stories in which Chewbacca is killed by a planet.
The idea of Star Wars canon is so subjective. There are so many ways to look at it. There is the viewpoint that all of this new stuff is “Disney Canon”, there is the idea that George’s canon is the true canon. There were all the different layers of canon back in the day…
What we are talking about here, is what Disney/Lucasfilm is CALLING canon. Pablo’s opinion on canon is just that, an opinion. Granted, he’s super knowledgeable so it’s a very well qualified opinion. And he is paid by a company to have a say in what that company calls canon. Just because Lucasfilm says that Han Solo and Luke ran away from their problems 30 years after ROTJ, doesn’t necessarily mean that its the only way something could’ve or did turn out in the GFFA. This has been exemplified by the EU and George saying basically that they didn’t tell the story right in TFA.
Side note: If Disney/Lucasfilm continues to pump out this much content indefinitely with as few continuity errors as they have so far, it will be a pretty amazing accomplishment, quality aside.
For me, what is Canon is the stuff i like. Old EU or new stuff: I don’t care how it’s considered by Disney. Disney will not teach me what to think. For example: for me, Darth Maul is dead at the end of Ep. 1, cause I can’t stand what they did with him afterwards.
It’s like mythology. You will have several versions of the same story, depending on the region, the time.
So stop making all that fuss and pick what you like in that non-existent, imaginary world.
You can have your headcanon, but the official canon is controlled by Lucasfilm, and always will be. Your opinions don’t change that.
Sorry.
But when you go to see The Last Jedi, Jacen and Jaina Solo won’t show up to do anything, Mara Jade will not make caf to Rey in Ach-To, etc. Any major release will line up with the official canon, not your personal one. You are free to like and enjoy any story of Star Wars, but the understanding of the actual facts must be lined up, or in Canon, or Legends. You cannot really mix it.
He means. “We’re just making it up as we go along”. Say what you will about Lucas, but at least he had a grasp on the lore. Now newbs beat knights. High level force abilities come without training. Jump to hyperspace from a stand still. Hyperspace whales. Lightsabers on bicycle wheels that make you fly. Just anything to sell toys or move the plot along.
Lucas literally made up the entire OT as he went along. You know Darth Vader? Yeah, he wasn’t originally Luke’s dad, and Leia wasn’t originally his daughter. Sometimes, making it up as you go along is a good thing.
But Rebels isn’t going to show anything from the battle of Scariff. Dave said it himself.
He said that the show won’t end in that battle. Maybe they will show it in the season.