Galen Marek and Starkiller: A Brief Look at Their Canon Status in Star Wars Legends

Galient Marek, commonly known as Starkiller, is a significant character that has long been a part of Star Wars lore. However, the status of Starkiller and his background differs greatly depending on the continuity you are considering: Star Wars Legends, also known as the Expanded Universe (EU), which is now considered non-canon, or the current canonical storytelling provided by Lucasfilm.

Starkiller in Star Wars Legends

Starkiller, born as Galen Marek, was first introduced as the protagonist of the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video game. In the Star Wars Legends continuity, which included a vast collection of officially licensed stories published by Geena and later Del Rey, the character Gallen Marek was a pivotal figure.

Starkiller's story in Legends provides an origin and alternate history to the iconic Darth Vader. In this continuity, Starkiller was a loyal apprentice who, despite his anger and venality, was manipulated by Palpatine to pursue a top-secret project. This project led to the creation of Starkiller, the superweapon intended to take down the Alliance to Restore the Republic.

The Transition from Legends to the New Canonical Universe

However, with the acquisition of Lucasfilm by Disney in 2012 and the rebranding of the original Expanded Universe (EU), Starkiller's status changed. The decision to reduce the amount of official content from Legends led to a process of redefining and simplifying the Star Wars narrative. The introduction of new, canon-run media and the strict curation of continuity resulted in a rebrand of much of the Legends material to a non-canon status.

According to Lucasfilm, the New Canon is restricted to the original trilogy of films, the prequel trilogy, the sequel trilogy, and the animated series that adhere to the specific narrative guidelines established by J.J. Abrams and the creative team. As a result, Starkiller and his story in relation to the game The Force Unleashed are no longer considered part of the official storyline by Lucasfilm.

After Acquiresion: The Official stance

As of today, with the ratification of the new Canon by Lucasfilm in 2014, the Star Wars Legends continuity is officially rebranded as a separate, non-canon universe. Consequently, characters like Galen Marek (Starkiller) are not considered part of the official Star Wars canon as it stands today. This change of status is a direct result of the convergence between Disney and Lucasfilm's storytelling strategies, aimed at providing a cohesive and concise narrative for the Star Wars universe.

While the Legends continuity, which included Starkiller, offered a rich and exceptionally detailed backstory, it is necessary for fans interested in the official narrative to refer to the new canon established by Lucasfilm. Despite this, the legacy of Starkiller and his role in the Force Unleashed remains a significant and beloved element of Star Wars mythology.

Conclusion

Understanding the status of characters like Galen Marek (Starkiller) in the complex history of Star Wars storytelling can be nuanced. The transition from Legends to the New Canon marks a significant shift in how Star Wars stories are treated. For fans of the original Legends continuity, Starkiller's role and background provide a rich tapestry of lore. However, for the current canon, Starkiller remains a beloved but non-canon character, with his legacy living on through fan communities and unofficial sources.