8

A popular Legends character emerging from the Dark Forces and Jedi Knight games is Kyle Katarn. One of his feats was teaming up with Jan Ors to successfully steal the plans for the first Death Star (well, if you as the player didn't muck it up).

enter image description here

Now, it seems clear that Rogue One main character Jyn Erso is at least in part an homage to Jan Ors (although this has not been confirmed yet, it seems).

Likewise, it seems like Cassian Andor from Rogue One could have been inspired by Kyle Katarn, but the naming is less obvious here. Even if he was, my question is:

Why wasn't Kyle Katarn explicitly used in Rogue One?

Obviously, the new Star Wars continuity is not bound to use anything from Legends canon. But still, Katarn was a popular character and I'm sure some fans must have been disappointed not to see him brought to life on the big screen.

Improve this question
12
  • 1
    Because not enough people signed the petition?
    – Jason Baker
    Dec 23, 2016 at 17:29
  • Related: scifi.stackexchange.com/q/124445/51379
    – Adamant
    Dec 23, 2016 at 17:29
  • @Adamant : I already linked to that in my question. :-)
    – Praxis
    Dec 23, 2016 at 17:36
  • There had been too many Male Leads in Star Wars. Time for more Female Leads. Also, I'd say Kyle Katarn and Jan Ors had been subsumed into Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla. So Rogue One writers look for other inspiration sources.
    – pepoluan
    Dec 24, 2016 at 14:39
  • @pepoluan : I'm all for female leads. I'm not asking why he wasn't the lead. I'm asking why he wasn't used at all (at least in name).
    – Praxis
    Dec 24, 2016 at 18:17

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

Disney is very carefully separating Disney Star Wars from Star Wars Legends. I was disappointed that they didn't name Ben Solo as Jacen Solo, as they essentially followed similar arcs, and Ben wouldn't be a name especially dear to either Leia (Kinobi only being a contact she had to reach on Tatooine) or Han (Just some crazy old man who turned off the tractor beam then got sliced in half).

While the characters might have been similar, they weren't the same at all. They had different backgrounds, got the plans different ways, and died different deaths.

Disney created a new character, perhaps inspired by an older character, but in order to have the full flexibility to write the character they wanted to write, they just left Kyle in the Legends.

Improve this answer
4
  • 2
    Please note that ALL Star Wars asset and Canon are managed fully by Lucasfilm, not by Disney. Disney have no say in what's canon and what's not.
    – pepoluan
    Dec 24, 2016 at 14:41
  • 2
    @Disney - Sorry, could you elaborate? Lucasfilm was purchased by Disney, and is now part of Disney, so I’m not sure what you mean.
    – Adamant
    Dec 25, 2016 at 7:05
  • @Adamant I think he means that Lucasfilm is still somewhat separate from Disney Corporate Itself; the idea is that Lucasfilm still has control over Star Wars while Disney holds the deeds. I would contend that Lucasfilm has to make money for Disney, and Disney said they need to make more films, and Lucasfilm realized they needed room to maneuver to make fresh money for Disney, because any money made before the purchase is already spent. And Disney wants new money.
    – Zoey Boles
    Dec 25, 2016 at 19:18
  • 2
    Regarding affinity for Ben -- Leia would have learned that Obi Wan was close to her brother, mother and father, and that he escorted her (as an infant) to safe adoptive parents. Worthy namesake I'd say
    – zipquincy
    Dec 28, 2016 at 20:43

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.