trailer

Why would Disney be collaborating with so many authors and publishers in preparation for Star Wars: The Force Awakens?

Entertainment Weekly interviewed Andrew Sugerman, executive vice president of Disney Publishing Worldwide, who revealed the details.

An excerpt from the article says, “At least 20 new books—from novels for adults and teens to storybooks and stickerbooks for younger kids—will be released this fall to fill the gap between 1983’s Return of the Jedi and this December’s The Force Awakens, EW has learned exclusively. ”

There is a gap of approximately 30 years between Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.

Entertainment Weekly says that Star Wars fans must have known that this was inevitable since Lucasfilm said in April 2014 that it will exclude the “Expanded Universe” of Star Wars (novels, short stories, comics, and video games taking place after the 6 Star Wars films by either Lucasfilm or third parties prior to the Disney buy-out) from the official storyline and rebrand it as “Star Wars Legends.” This will free the new movies from having to follow any previous story points.

Here is a list of known books so far:

“Star Wars: Aftermath,” a novel.

“Star Wars: Journey to the Force Awakens”, a prequel by Marvel Comics.

Another Marvel Comics prequel showing C-3PO’s perspective.

Studio Fun International will print “Star Wars: Ships of the Galaxy.”

“Moving Target”, a Princess Leia story by Cecil Castellucci.

“The Weapon of a Jedi”, a Luke Skywalker story by Jason Fry.

“Lost Stars” by Claudia Gray.

“Smuggler’s Run”, a Han Solo story by Greg Rucka.

If fans do one thing right, it will be picking apart these books prior to December 18th to get any little details or “easter eggs” possible.