An Unpublished Star Wars Story Promises to Change Everything, But Remains in the Shadows of ‘What Could Be’
In the wider Star Wars universe, alternate stories have always offered a fun escape into what could have been. One of these narratives outlined by popular comics writer Peter David promises to take the saga’s iconic characters to dark and unknown places. However, this darker version of the story never saw the light of day, being rejected as too dark for the likes of Lucafilm and Dark Horse Comics. But what exactly does this idea contain and what was the reaction when it was discovered?
Black swirl in the stars
The Star Wars Infinity series offered a simple but intriguing premise: exploring alternate realities in the Sega, “What if…?” Critical moments in popular movies. At the center of David’s untold story is Leia Organa, who barely escapes being a princess in distress, but ascends to the throne of the Empire as a Sith Lady, her brother Luke Skywalker, her apprentice, and her lover A, a plot that blurs the lines between good and evil in ways we’ve never seen before.
This story begins with a small but crucial twist: the droid that Luke Skywalker’s family was originally going to buy doesn’t explode. This simple act of survival triggers a series of events that completely change the course of the story, leaving R2-D2 out of the picture, and with him, the hope that a message for help will never arrive.
Rejection of radical theory
David’s idea not only promises to examine the characters in an unprecedented light, but also challenges the conventional Star Wars narrative where darkness can triumph over good. As David explained on his website, Lucasfilm’s reluctance came after he had drawn up the first draft of the series. Although carte blanche was initially granted the project, the push for the protagonists to defeat evil at the end caused them to leave and abandon their vision.
The question remains: Can Marvel, who now owns the Star Wars comic book rights, revive these kinds of alternate stories? Meanwhile, fans can imagine what the universe would look like if Leia was wearing Darth Vader’s mantle. This vision, however unsuccessful, highlights the untold stories and eternal fascination with untaken paths in galaxies far, far away.
Peter David’s Star Wars Infinities project represents a fascinating “what if” in the rich cast of Star Wars. He leaves us to ponder the impact of his rejection decisions not only on screens, but also on the pages where our most beloved characters can follow incredibly different paths. This untold story, though kept in the shadows, continues to ignite our imaginations in endless possibilities.
Other forgotten stories
In the Star Wars universe, “Darth Leia” is not only a story, but also left behind. Other promising narratives were also discarded, thus limiting the expansion of this rich universe. “The Dark Jedi Order,” a comic book series that explores the rebellion of the Jedi sect against the Republic, is a planned example. This story adds further complexity to the conflict between light and dark, showing that the line between the two can often be blurred and personal.
Another abandoned project was “The Saga of the Sith”, which focused on the history of the Sith long before the era of Darth Vader. This comic promises to reveal the origins and philosophy of the Sith, exploring their rituals, internal struggles and the dynamics of power within their system. The cancellation of this project means that fans will not have the opportunity to delve into the history of the most famous antagonists of the Star Wars universe. These untold stories continue to generate curiosity and debate among fans, who speculate as to what they contributed to the canon.