When I was offered The Force Unleashed
at the end of 2006, the decision to take it on or not was a no-brainer. Who wouldn't grab with both hands at the chance to novelise the latest LucasArts computer game? Occasionally billed as Star Wars: Episode 3.5, in which Darth Vader's secret apprentice wreaks havoc on the GFFA and the rebellion is born, it offers a glimpse into the Dark Times--a period of fictional history I'd been wondering about ever since seeing "A New Hope" as a wide-eyed 10-year old in 1977. No schedule is too tight for something like this.The only downside has been the cone of silence surrounding the story--but now it's out and people are reading it, the embargo has finally been lifted. I'm thinking of that wonderful Simpsons episode with the musical version of "Planet of the Apes."
"He can talk. He can talk. He can talk. He can talk."Anyway, the fans seem to be excited too. The Force Unleashed will debut at #1 on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list next week. That's just icing on the cake, folks. Thanks to everyone who's bought a copy. I hope you enjoyed it. (Don't forget to buy the game. It kicks ASS.)
"I can SING!"
Sean,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, congratulations on the being #1! That's awesome!
I picked up the graphic novel the other day and, while ok, I'm assuming the novel will go into much greater detail about, well, everything? But, as a commercial for the game, well, now I have to decide between TFU and Spore.
And now a question: Is the story of TFU considered 'canon'? I ask because I can see some STAR WARS fans being upset at how/why the rebellion is started.
At first I thought it was kind of hokey, then it made sense. And, damn, Lucas needed to make Vader as bad @$$ in Ep. III as he is in TFU.
Anyway, your novel is next up on my to read pile.
JP
www.sfsignal.com
Hey Jon
ReplyDeleteThanks! The novel is considered the canonical version, and goes into considerably more detail regarding how, why, etc. It also spends a lot of time in Juno's head since (a) she provides another perspective on the action (like PROXY in the graphic novel), (b) she has a personal history worth exploring too, and (c) she's a lot more emotionally labile than either our reticent male protagonist or his mentor. There's a whole lot more about the Rebellion waiting to be told; don't expect this to be the end of it. But it *is* the real deal, and I expect surprised fans will get used to the idea soon enough. :-)
Cheers,
Sean