The Original Clone Wars Were Way Different

Summary

This video script explores the Clone Wars era in Star Wars, highlighting the evolution of its depiction across different media. Initially, the Clone Wars' timing and participants were ambiguous, with expanded universe material suggesting various timelines and combatants. The script delves into discrepancies like the war's start date, which was later established as 22 BBY, contrasting earlier beliefs. It also discusses the portrayal of clones as menaces and the stigma against them, offering insights into the complexities of transmedia storytelling and continuity in the Star Wars universe.

Takeaways

• 📚 The Clone Wars period in Star Wars is extensively explored through various media, but its exact nature was not solidly known for a long time.
• 🚫 Expanded Universe material was not allowed to directly explore the Clone Wars, leaving it open for George Lucas to develop.
• 📅 The timing of the Clone Wars has been depicted differently in various sources, with some suggesting they occurred 10 to 20 years earlier than established in the prequels.
• 👥 The early depiction of the Clone Wars often portrayed the clones as a menace unleashed by their clone masters against the Republic.
• 👶 The age of characters like Corran Horn and his father, Hal Horn, was used to track the Clone Wars timeline, suggesting they took place 10 to 20 years earlier than the final timeline.
• 📚 The X-Wing books and other novels provided references to the Clone Wars, indicating a longer power struggle before the actual Jedi Purge.
• 👦 The idea of clones being second-class citizens and the stigma against cloning was a common theme in the Expanded Universe.
• 👨‍👦‍👦 The Thrawn Trilogy and other novels suggest that the Clone Wars began around 35 BBY, differing from the prequels' timeline of 22 BBY.
• 🤔 Discrepancies in the Clone Wars timeline were influenced by George Lucas's evolving plans and the nature of transmedia storytelling at the time.
• 📈 The Marvel Comics presented a different timeline, placing the Clone Wars much later and suggesting a different involvement of Mandalorians and clones.
• 🔄 The Clone Wars' portrayal evolved over time, reflecting changes in storytelling and continuity approaches within the Star Wars franchise.

Q & A

What is the Clone Wars period in the Star Wars universe?

The Clone Wars is a significant period in Star Wars history, extensively explored through various media such as the prequels, the Clone Wars multimedia project, and the Clone Wars cartoon. It is a time of conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS).

Why was the exact nature of the Clone Wars not solidly known for a long time?

The exact nature of the Clone Wars was not solidly known because the storytellers of the expanded universe material were not allowed to explore the Clone Wars period directly in their stories. Instead, it was left open for George Lucas to explore if he chose to do so.

What is the significance of the timing of the Clone Wars in the Star Wars narrative?

The timing of the Clone Wars is significant as it sets the stage for the rise of the Empire and the fall of the Jedi Order. It is now known to have begun with the Attack of the Clones set in 22 BBY and ended 3 years later with the Declaration of the Empire and the beginning of the Jedi Purge.

How did the early novels by Del Rey and Bantam Spectra depict the Clone Wars timeline differently?

Early novels by Del Rey and Bantam Spectra depicted the Clone Wars timeline as taking place about 10 years earlier than they actually ended up being set, which affected the age of some characters and the sequence of events following the war, including the Declaration of the Empire and the fall of the Jedi.

What is the significance of Corin Horn's age in determining the timeline of the Clone Wars?

Corin Horn's age is significant because it helps to establish a timeline for the Clone Wars. According to the X-Wing books, Corin was born in 18 BBY, the year after the Clone Wars ended. This, along with the age of his father Hal Horn and the events described in the books, suggests that the Clone Wars took place approximately 10 to 20 years earlier than the final timeline of the prequels.

How did the early Marvel Comics portray the Clone Wars timeline?

Early Marvel Comics, such as issue 68, portrayed the Clone Wars as taking place much later than the events of the novels and the prequels. This portrayal suggests that the Clone Wars occurred concurrently with the setting up of the Empire by the Emperor, which differs significantly from the established timeline.

What is the role of 'Clone Masters' in the early depiction of the Clone Wars?

In the early depiction of the Clone Wars, 'Clone Masters' were introduced as individuals who unleashed the Clones as a menace to the Galaxy and were involved in the creation of their own Clone Army. This concept was used to explain the stigma against clones and the fear of clone armies in the Galaxy.

Why was cloning considered a taboo technology in the Star Wars universe after the Clone Wars?

Cloning was considered a taboo technology after the Clone Wars due to the negative perception of clones as a result of their use in the war and the subsequent rise of the Empire. Clones were often seen as second-class citizens and were stigmatized.

How did the Thrawn Trilogy explore the Clone Wars and its impact on the Galaxy?

The Thrawn Trilogy explored the Clone Wars by focusing on the stigma against clones and the fear of clone armies, as well as the impact of the war on individuals like Mer Jade, who did not want to see clones overrun the Galaxy again. It also examined the use of clones by Grand Admiral Thrawn in his bid for power.

What insights does the script provide about the development of transmedia storytelling in Star Wars?

The script provides insights into the evolution of transmedia storytelling in Star Wars, highlighting the challenges of maintaining continuity across different media types and the changes in the narrative as George Lucas solidified his vision for the Clone Wars period.