Star Wars’ New Era Will Be Delayed Due to COVID-19

The highly anticipated novels of Star Wars: The High Republic were set to come to shelves later this year, but now they are being pushed back until 2021.

The multi-platform publishing effort will now kick off on January 5, 2021 with the release of Charles Soule’s adult novel Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi and Justina Ireland’s novel Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage, which will be tailored more for young fans between the ages of eight to twelve. These novels will be followed shortly by Claudia Gray’s young adult novel Star Wars: The High Republic: Into the Dark on February 2, 2021.

As of right now, there is no new release date for Marvel’s Star Wars: The High Republic series or IDW Publishing’s Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures. They will both have release dates announced at a later time.

Lucasfilm Publishing creative director Michael Siglain said in a letter to starwars.com:

“Now, I know the waiting isn’t easy. And I know fans have been excited for this since it was first announced. I’m right there with you. I’ve also been waiting to tell this story for years.”

The High Republic Era is almost completely uncharted territory for the Star Wars Universe. These events take place roughly 200 years before the start of the Episode I: The Phantom Menace, the film that chronologically kicked off the Skywalker Saga. The only common thread from the story we know and love could potentially be Yoda, due to the fact he would be alive during this time. However, Yoda has not been confirmed to appear in any of the multi-platform releases, giving way to an entirely original narrative following adventures of new heroes during the apex of the Jedi and Galactic Republic’s collective power. Lucasfilm Publishing now has a “creative blank canvas” that has endless possibilities for new worlds, villains, and conflicts to add to the ever-expanding current canon.

“So from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. I thank you for reading, and I thank you for your understand and patience. Star Wars: The High Republic has been a true labor of love for us, and we can’t wait for readers to experience the golden age of the Jedi.”

Michael Siglain

Siglain concluded with: “Until then, and as always, stay strong, stay safe, and may the Force be with you.”

In these days of uncertainty and constant film release delays, published works now join the party, adding even more great content to look forward to in 2021 and the post-COVID-19 world.

You can read the official report, along with Michael Siglain’s letter, here.

Source: comicbook.com