A. The DVDs B. Canon, EU, and Continuity C. Answers Star Wars Insider has Given to Movie-Related Questions D. Other Movie-Related Questions E. Common Classic Trilogy-Related Abbreviations
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**OFFICIOUS** Official Threads! The CT Forum Social Thread Official DVD Thread #1 : DVD General Information & Screenshots Official DVD Thread #2 - Changes Discussion Official thread: A question about Greedo shooting first Official thread: hey wait a minute, a Jedi doing force choking??? Official thread: If Luke had replaced Vader. What would his Sith name be? Official thread: Luke's battle with Vader on Dagobah The Official Stormtroopers are Clones thread A New Hope Official thread: A question about Greedo shooting first ANH is not as perfect as many claim it to be (discussion inside)... Luke's Age Obi-Wan's terrible fighting style in ANH One Hundred and One Things I Love About ANH Wedge Antilles should have been banished! The Empire Strikes Back Official thread: Luke's battle with Vader on Dagobah 'No, there is another' - Another perspective... Did Leia and Vader begin to sense their connection in the Carbon-Freezing Chamber? ESB Overrated?? Is that Luke's hand? Ninety-Five Things I Love About ESB One of the most underrated scenes in the Star Wars Saga Vader's blaster absorbing hand Why does Vader prevent Boba Fett from shooting the mighty Chewbacca? Return of the Jedi Official thread: hey wait a minute, a Jedi doing force choking??? I'm very puzzled about Coruscant Leia's Bikini Scene Discussion Thread Luke does what?! Luke's massacre of Jabba & crew was a major 'darkside' act Millenium Falcon Destroyed Ninety-Six Things I Love About ROTJ ROTJ and its flaws Sebastian Shaw Characters Darth Vader General Discussion From "The Annotated Screenplays": The Origins of Darth Vader, Anakin Starkiller, and Luke's Father Princess Leia not a princess? There is another. Han Solo is also a Jedi Why aren't Vader's buttons protected? Would you still have watched Star Wars if Luke DID sleep with Leia? Jedi, Sith, the Force, and destiny Could Luke have defeated any other "Darth"? Darth Vader: Dark Jedi or Sith Lord? Old Friends Long Gone The Emperor believed that Luke was the Chosen One The Force's portrayal worsens with each movie. Unshakeable proof on why Luke was not being trained to kill Vader Yoda's knowledge of the darkside The Empire A case for the Empire: Everything you know about Star Wars is wrong How is the Empire Evil? The Rebellion Palpatine created the Rebel Alliance Planets Where exactly *IS* Alderaan??? Ships Bathroom on the Falcon? What would you name the Death Star? EU and Canon Could Shadows of the Empire make it as a movie? The Official Stormtroopers are Clones thread The Special Editions OT Changes/SE/Archival Editions thread Lucas Ruining Original Trilogy Why the disdain for the Special Editions? DVDs and the Ultimate Editions New Obi-Wan/Vader duel Official DVD Thread #1 : DVD General Information & Screenshots Official DVD Thread #2 - Changes Discussion OT Changes/SE/Archival Editions thread What I Intend to Do about Getting the Original Versions of the OT on DVD Laserdisc OT on laserdisc Polls Did Boba Fett die? Do you like Corpsey the Dead Ewok? If you could get rid of 1 SE change, what would it be? If you could have any job in the OT, what would you want to do? If you could own a real version of a Star Wars thing, what whould you own? Should they remake the original Star Wars trilogy? To me, Darth Vader is..... What is the most powerful line in SW? Humor Viewer's Guide to the Original Trilogy, Part I Viewer's Guide to the Original Trilogy, Part II Viewer's Guide to the Original Trilogy, Part III Alternate "I am your father" Han grabbed Leia's breast in ROTJ Ice Cream Maker Guy Mullets? My Name Is Obi Wan Kenobi And I Am An Alcoholic-Confessions Of A Jedi Knight OT Recast with OT forum members Rewrite the OT in light of the PT. Star Wars Haiku Script Humor Star Wars- One Big Orgy? The misconceptions you had about Star Wars, when you were a kid. The Shaving Habits of Big DV The SW Anti-Guru What do you think was going throught Palpatine's mind as Vader lifted him? Miscellaneous Hidden Goodies in OT Is Star Wars racist? III. CLASSIC TRILOGY FAQs A. The DVDs Please do not discuss bootleg original trilogy DVDs and where to find them on these boards. It can get TFN in legal trouble. Information on obtaining bootlegs will be edited out of posts on sight, and repeat infractions will earn you a ban. After Episode III, Lucas said, there's still a chance he would reunite with Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg for a fourth Indiana Jones feature for Paramount Pictures. "I don't think it will ever be too late," he said. "We are trying to come up with a writer now. If we can get script that Harrison and Steven both like, then there will be a movie. But not for a few years." In the meantime, fans are hoping that Lucas will get around to putting out a comprehensive DVD set of all the Star Wars episodes that matches the high quality of The Phantom Menace DVD. But the filmmaker has bad news for film buffs who hope that the classic trilogy DVD's will feature both the Special Editions and the origional theatrical versions of the movies. Asked if there's a possibility of including the original versions as alternate tracks, to show the evolution of the films, showcase the state-of-the-art of the era, and preserve film history, Lucas said simply, "I don't think so. I think of the film as The Special Edition. I don't thnk of it as an early version, any more than I would put early rough cuts on. I could put four or five rough cuts onto the thing and say, 'this is how it advanced.' I consider The Special Edition as being the final version at this point. I don't even worry about the other ones, because it went through a lot of incarnations to get to the final stage." Besides, by the time Lucas is done with Episode III, like when he finished Episode VI nearly 20 years ago, he'll be ready to move on to other things. "I've got one more of these things, and that's another three years," he said, "but I've got a lot of ideas, primarily for television. I had the most fun doing the Young Indy series, so I'll probably go back to doing stuff like that. I have some other personal projets, but they are so experimental in nature, I'm not sure they'll even be released. But I'll just do them." Not get released? Would George Lucas really give up the chance to see his films with a live audience? "Oh, I would probably release them," he allowed, "somewhere." And wherever that somewhere might be, millions of fans will be waiting, and watching. From: Star Wars Insider Issue #60, page 61. Related threads: Official: The Star Wars DVD FAQ and Discussion thread Since the same questions about the Original DVDs seem to come up each week, this thread will now be the place for these questions. (Posted By: Commander Antilles) Official Thread: Original edits on DVD petition Ok guys, we know that GL is not going to release the original versions on DVD. I propose that we see how much demand for these to be released. (Posted By: jasperjones) OT on laserdisc I'm thinking of getting the OT (non-Special Edition) on laserdisc. Can anyone recommend the best version of this to go for? (Posted By: that_guys_wise) B. Canon, EU, and Continuity What's up with stuff being "canon" or "noncanon"? Also, what is "continuity"? Our answer comes from the Literature Forum. Author: Kadue (his old mod colors) Two big issues that can rear themselves in discussions that involve the use of material from the Expanded Universe are those of both 'Canon' and 'Continuity' materials. The "Canon" rules used most often are those taken directly from Lucas himself. The standard, and widely accepted, order is as follows: The movies as they appear on screen (with the Special Editions taking precedence). The radio dramas and screenplays Novelizations of the movies All other official Star Wars derived material. Now, each person is free to believe what they wish in this regard, but so that there are ground rules for discussions on events, the above outlined guide should be considered the standard. That is, information in the movies takes precedence over all others, running on down. Due to the plethora of material that has been written in the Star Wars Universe over time, various slight "errors" have arisen though multiple means in terms of continuity, with some events being contradicted in various volumes. Amongst the fans there are those that do not mind "living with" these errors, those that attempt to find "fixes" to these, and all points in between. First and foremost, the Expanded Universe material is written so people can enjoy good stories. With this in mind, it is everyone's right to look at this issue in the way that they find most acceptable and enjoyable. Please respect that. Just because there is an inherent error of continuity in material being discussed does not mean that all parties in the discussion have to accept the most likely or logical 'fix'; and by the same token, this error does not have to be 'just accepted at its value'. Have your own opinion of that which with you are most comfortable with, and respect the same right of others to have a differing opinion. Here is information on the meaning of "canon": Author: eclipseSD Well, when you get right down to the basics of any expanded universe, such as that of Star Wars, Star Trek, or even Babylon 5, the questions are raised as to what items are considered a part of the overall story, which are "sort of" a part of it, and which just plain aren't part of the mainstream saga in the least. In a situation like this, the terms "canon," "official," "unofficial," "apocrypha," and "fan fiction" come into play. As far as level of priority and officiality, the ladder, from greatest priority to least is... First Level Canon Second Level Canon Third Level Canon Fourth Level Canon Official (Expanded Universe) Apocrypha (Unofficial) Fan Fiction (FanFic) `CANON` is that which is undeniably part of the overall story, the creator's vision. In the case of Star Wars, this is broken down into four levels, with the lower levels being only canonical so far as that they do not contradict the higher levels. Essentially, the lower levels are only canonical where they agree with, or add to, the higher levels. `First Level Canon` is the highest level of officiality that something can receive. This term is reserved solely for Lucas' definitive vision and includes only these items: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones Star Wars: Episode III - ??????????????????? Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (Special Edition) The Star Wars Holiday Special Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (Special Edition) Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (Special Edition) Caravan Of Courage (AKA The Ewok Adventure) Ewoks: The Battle For Endor `Second Level Canon` is the next level down from the creator's definitive vision. It basically consists of anything that the creator originally considered First Level Canon, but overwrote slightly. In this case, the original Star Wars film trilogy fits into this category. Second Level Canon information can only be overridden by First Level Canon (i.e., if an "official continuity" author had written that Greedo shot first in A New Hope, it would have not been the "way it really happened," but since Lucas overwrote that scene with his definitive, First Level Canon Special Edition, the old version of events ceased to exist, and were replaced by those Lucas created with his First Level Canon). Essentially, anything in the original films is canonical, unless it contradicts the First Level Canon of the Special Edition. (The SE scripts are included in this category.) `Third Level Canon` is the next step below the original films. This level includes the novelizations of the films themselves. This level can only be overridden by First or Second Level Canon. Thus, if awording is different in the novel than in the film, the novelization wording is not canonical. For example, in the novelization to The Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo, while fleeing Hoth, states, "I know, I know, I see them," when referring to Star Destroyers. In the films (both First and Second Level Canon versions), he states "I saw 'em! I saw 'em!" Nitpicky, yes, but by the rules of canonicity, the film wording supercedes the novelization. (The original version scripts are included in this category.) `Fourth Level Canon` is the final step down the ladder of officiality before one reaches simply "official." This level includes the radio dramas of the Star Wars films. Once again, it is a case of these events being canonical only so far as they add to or agree with the films and novelizations. The novels and both versions of the films supercede these. For example, the Battle of Derra IV in the ESB radio drama is canonical because it adds to, and does not contradict, the films or novelizations. The character of Heater in the ANH radio drama is not canonical, as that character is replaced with a different character name in the Third, Second, and First Level Canon. `Official` is that which Lucasfilm has allowed to become a part of their "official continuation." George Lucas himself does not approve these stories and has stated that he feels no obligation to work any of these elements into his future films. This is essentially a collection of stories licensed by Lucasfilm and produced by Bantam Spectra, Berkley Boulevard, Del Rey, Berkley Boulevard, Berkley Jam, Dark Horse Comics, LucasArts games (in some, but not all cases), and other companies that Lucasfilm has allowed to contribute to the continuity. This is what most current Star Wars saga fans consider the timeline, although that may change if and when Lucas overrides them by producing a Sequel Trilogy, which would be First Level Canon. `Apocrypha` (often referred to as Unofficial) refers to any and all Star Wars stories that are not a part of the "official continuity." The stories may form timelines unto themselves, but they are not Lucasfilm- approved for the continuity. It's safest to consider them "alternate reality" versions of the saga. They have no place in the "official continuity." `Fan Fiction` (or FanFic) is the term that refers to any creation by a Star Wars fan that is not sanctioned by Lucasfilm in any form. (Apocryphal items at least got permission to publish.) These are things like Troops and other fan-created videos, short stories like Bantha Squadron, etc. If you've ever written or created a Star Wars story on your own, that item would be called FanFic, or Fan Fiction. From the Star Wars Insider #23, an interview with Production and Continuity Editors Sue Rostoni and Allan Kausch: "Gospel, or canon as we refer to it, includes the screenplays, the films, the radio dramas, and the novelizations. These works spin out of George Lucas' original stories, the rest are written by other writers. However, between us, we've read everything, and much of it is taken into account in the overall continuity. The entire catalog of published works comprises a vast history -- with many off-shoots, variations and tangents like any other well-developed mythology." This is the end-all and the be-all of the Star Wars Universe. The original novels, comics, WEG material, etc. ARE "official," meaning that it has been licensed and approved by Lucasfilm. However, there are times when they have contradicted the canon sources, such as with the Death and Life of Boba Fett *See the Boba Fett question for clarification*. In such instances, the "official" sources are to be disregarded. Here is LucasBooks' Chris Cerasi's answer from the official site: There's been some confusion of late regarding the 'Infinities' symbol, and Star Wars Expanded Universe continuity in general. Terms like "canon" and "continuity" tend to get thrown around casually, which doesn't help at all. When it comes to absolute canon, the real story of Star Wars, you must turn to the films themselves - and only the films. Even novelizations are interpretations of the film, and while they are largely true to George Lucas' vision (he works quite closely with the novel authors), the method in which they are written does allow for some minor differences. The novelizations are written concurrently with the film's production, so variations in detail do creep in from time to time. Nonetheless, they should be regarded as very accurate depictions of the fictional Star Wars movies. The further one branches away from the movies, the more interpretation and speculation come into play. LucasBooks works diligently to keep the continuing Star Wars expanded universe cohesive and uniform, but stylistically, there is always room for variation. Not all artists draw Luke Skywalker the same way. Not all writers define the character in the same fashion. The particular attributes of individual media also come into play. A comic book interpretation of an event will likely have less dialogue or different pacing than a novel version. A video game has to take an interactive approach that favors gameplay. So too must card and roleplaying games ascribe certain characteristics to characters and events in order to make them playable. The analogy is that every piece of published Star Wars fiction is a window into the 'real' Star Wars universe. Some windows are a bit foggier than others. Some are decidedly abstract. But each contains a nugget of truth to them. Like the great Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi said, 'many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our point of view.' Returning to the question at hand. Yes, "Star Wars Gamer" is part of continuity, though as game material, there is room for interpretation. Only specific articles marked with the 'Infinities' logo within the magazine should be considered out of continuity. Fans of the old monthly Marvel Star Wars comic will be heartened to know that LucasBooks does indeed consider them part of continuity. Decades of retrospect haven't been kind to all the elements of the comic series, but the characters and events still hold weight and are referenced in newer material whenever possible. In order to allow unlimited freedom of storytelling, the Infinities label has been placed on the anthology series, "Star Wars Tales". This means that not only can the stories occur anywhere in the Star Wars timeline, but stories can happen outside continuity. Basically, if an event happens in "Tales", it may not have necessarily happened in the rest of the expanded universe. For some stories, the distinction is largely inconsequential. For others, it's the only way they could exist. Source
After Episode III, Lucas said, there's still a chance he would reunite with Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg for a fourth Indiana Jones feature for Paramount Pictures. "I don't think it will ever be too late," he said. "We are trying to come up with a writer now. If we can get script that Harrison and Steven both like, then there will be a movie. But not for a few years." In the meantime, fans are hoping that Lucas will get around to putting out a comprehensive DVD set of all the Star Wars episodes that matches the high quality of The Phantom Menace DVD. But the filmmaker has bad news for film buffs who hope that the classic trilogy DVD's will feature both the Special Editions and the origional theatrical versions of the movies. Asked if there's a possibility of including the original versions as alternate tracks, to show the evolution of the films, showcase the state-of-the-art of the era, and preserve film history, Lucas said simply, "I don't think so. I think of the film as The Special Edition. I don't thnk of it as an early version, any more than I would put early rough cuts on. I could put four or five rough cuts onto the thing and say, 'this is how it advanced.' I consider The Special Edition as being the final version at this point. I don't even worry about the other ones, because it went through a lot of incarnations to get to the final stage." Besides, by the time Lucas is done with Episode III, like when he finished Episode VI nearly 20 years ago, he'll be ready to move on to other things. "I've got one more of these things, and that's another three years," he said, "but I've got a lot of ideas, primarily for television. I had the most fun doing the Young Indy series, so I'll probably go back to doing stuff like that. I have some other personal projets, but they are so experimental in nature, I'm not sure they'll even be released. But I'll just do them." Not get released? Would George Lucas really give up the chance to see his films with a live audience? "Oh, I would probably release them," he allowed, "somewhere." And wherever that somewhere might be, millions of fans will be waiting, and watching.
Official: The Star Wars DVD FAQ and Discussion thread Since the same questions about the Original DVDs seem to come up each week, this thread will now be the place for these questions. (Posted By: Commander Antilles) Official Thread: Original edits on DVD petition Ok guys, we know that GL is not going to release the original versions on DVD. I propose that we see how much demand for these to be released. (Posted By: jasperjones) OT on laserdisc I'm thinking of getting the OT (non-Special Edition) on laserdisc. Can anyone recommend the best version of this to go for? (Posted By: that_guys_wise)
Two big issues that can rear themselves in discussions that involve the use of material from the Expanded Universe are those of both 'Canon' and 'Continuity' materials. The "Canon" rules used most often are those taken directly from Lucas himself. The standard, and widely accepted, order is as follows: The movies as they appear on screen (with the Special Editions taking precedence). The radio dramas and screenplays Novelizations of the movies All other official Star Wars derived material. Now, each person is free to believe what they wish in this regard, but so that there are ground rules for discussions on events, the above outlined guide should be considered the standard. That is, information in the movies takes precedence over all others, running on down. Due to the plethora of material that has been written in the Star Wars Universe over time, various slight "errors" have arisen though multiple means in terms of continuity, with some events being contradicted in various volumes. Amongst the fans there are those that do not mind "living with" these errors, those that attempt to find "fixes" to these, and all points in between. First and foremost, the Expanded Universe material is written so people can enjoy good stories. With this in mind, it is everyone's right to look at this issue in the way that they find most acceptable and enjoyable. Please respect that. Just because there is an inherent error of continuity in material being discussed does not mean that all parties in the discussion have to accept the most likely or logical 'fix'; and by the same token, this error does not have to be 'just accepted at its value'. Have your own opinion of that which with you are most comfortable with, and respect the same right of others to have a differing opinion.
Well, when you get right down to the basics of any expanded universe, such as that of Star Wars, Star Trek, or even Babylon 5, the questions are raised as to what items are considered a part of the overall story, which are "sort of" a part of it, and which just plain aren't part of the mainstream saga in the least. In a situation like this, the terms "canon," "official," "unofficial," "apocrypha," and "fan fiction" come into play. As far as level of priority and officiality, the ladder, from greatest priority to least is... First Level Canon Second Level Canon Third Level Canon Fourth Level Canon Official (Expanded Universe) Apocrypha (Unofficial) Fan Fiction (FanFic) `CANON` is that which is undeniably part of the overall story, the creator's vision. In the case of Star Wars, this is broken down into four levels, with the lower levels being only canonical so far as that they do not contradict the higher levels. Essentially, the lower levels are only canonical where they agree with, or add to, the higher levels. `First Level Canon` is the highest level of officiality that something can receive. This term is reserved solely for Lucas' definitive vision and includes only these items: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones Star Wars: Episode III - ??????????????????? Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (Special Edition) The Star Wars Holiday Special Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (Special Edition) Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (Special Edition) Caravan Of Courage (AKA The Ewok Adventure) Ewoks: The Battle For Endor `Second Level Canon` is the next level down from the creator's definitive vision. It basically consists of anything that the creator originally considered First Level Canon, but overwrote slightly. In this case, the original Star Wars film trilogy fits into this category. Second Level Canon information can only be overridden by First Level Canon (i.e., if an "official continuity" author had written that Greedo shot first in A New Hope, it would have not been the "way it really happened," but since Lucas overwrote that scene with his definitive, First Level Canon Special Edition, the old version of events ceased to exist, and were replaced by those Lucas created with his First Level Canon). Essentially, anything in the original films is canonical, unless it contradicts the First Level Canon of the Special Edition. (The SE scripts are included in this category.) `Third Level Canon` is the next step below the original films. This level includes the novelizations of the films themselves. This level can only be overridden by First or Second Level Canon. Thus, if awording is different in the novel than in the film, the novelization wording is not canonical. For example, in the novelization to The Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo, while fleeing Hoth, states, "I know, I know, I see them," when referring to Star Destroyers. In the films (both First and Second Level Canon versions), he states "I saw 'em! I saw 'em!" Nitpicky, yes, but by the rules of canonicity, the film wording supercedes the novelization. (The original version scripts are included in this category.) `Fourth Level Canon` is the final step down the ladder of officiality before one reaches simply "official." This level includes the radio dramas of the Star Wars films. Once again, it is a case of these events being canonical only so far as they add to or agree with the films and novelizations. The novels and both versions of the films supercede these. For example, the Battle of Derra IV in the ESB radio drama is canonical because it adds to, and does not contradict, the films or novelizations. The character of Heater in the ANH radio drama is not canonical, as that character is replaced with a different character name in the Third, Second, and First Level Canon. `Official` is that which Lucasfilm has allowed to become a part of their "official continuation." George Lucas himself does not approve these stories and has stated that he feels no obligation to work any of these elements into his future films. This is essentially a collection of stories licensed by Lucasfilm and produced by Bantam Spectra, Berkley Boulevard, Del Rey, Berkley Boulevard, Berkley Jam, Dark Horse Comics, LucasArts games (in some, but not all cases), and other companies that Lucasfilm has allowed to contribute to the continuity. This is what most current Star Wars saga fans consider the timeline, although that may change if and when Lucas overrides them by producing a Sequel Trilogy, which would be First Level Canon. `Apocrypha` (often referred to as Unofficial) refers to any and all Star Wars stories that are not a part of the "official continuity." The stories may form timelines unto themselves, but they are not Lucasfilm- approved for the continuity. It's safest to consider them "alternate reality" versions of the saga. They have no place in the "official continuity." `Fan Fiction` (or FanFic) is the term that refers to any creation by a Star Wars fan that is not sanctioned by Lucasfilm in any form. (Apocryphal items at least got permission to publish.) These are things like Troops and other fan-created videos, short stories like Bantha Squadron, etc. If you've ever written or created a Star Wars story on your own, that item would be called FanFic, or Fan Fiction. From the Star Wars Insider #23, an interview with Production and Continuity Editors Sue Rostoni and Allan Kausch: "Gospel, or canon as we refer to it, includes the screenplays, the films, the radio dramas, and the novelizations. These works spin out of George Lucas' original stories, the rest are written by other writers. However, between us, we've read everything, and much of it is taken into account in the overall continuity. The entire catalog of published works comprises a vast history -- with many off-shoots, variations and tangents like any other well-developed mythology." This is the end-all and the be-all of the Star Wars Universe. The original novels, comics, WEG material, etc. ARE "official," meaning that it has been licensed and approved by Lucasfilm. However, there are times when they have contradicted the canon sources, such as with the Death and Life of Boba Fett *See the Boba Fett question for clarification*. In such instances, the "official" sources are to be disregarded. Here is LucasBooks' Chris Cerasi's answer from the official site: There's been some confusion of late regarding the 'Infinities' symbol, and Star Wars Expanded Universe continuity in general. Terms like "canon" and "continuity" tend to get thrown around casually, which doesn't help at all. When it comes to absolute canon, the real story of Star Wars, you must turn to the films themselves - and only the films. Even novelizations are interpretations of the film, and while they are largely true to George Lucas' vision (he works quite closely with the novel authors), the method in which they are written does allow for some minor differences. The novelizations are written concurrently with the film's production, so variations in detail do creep in from time to time. Nonetheless, they should be regarded as very accurate depictions of the fictional Star Wars movies. The further one branches away from the movies, the more interpretation and speculation come into play. LucasBooks works diligently to keep the continuing Star Wars expanded universe cohesive and uniform, but stylistically, there is always room for variation. Not all artists draw Luke Skywalker the same way. Not all writers define the character in the same fashion. The particular attributes of individual media also come into play. A comic book interpretation of an event will likely have less dialogue or different pacing than a novel version. A video game has to take an interactive approach that favors gameplay. So too must card and roleplaying games ascribe certain characteristics to characters and events in order to make them playable. The analogy is that every piece of published Star Wars fiction is a window into the 'real' Star Wars universe. Some windows are a bit foggier than others. Some are decidedly abstract. But each contains a nugget of truth to them. Like the great Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi said, 'many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our point of view.' Returning to the question at hand. Yes, "Star Wars Gamer" is part of continuity, though as game material, there is room for interpretation. Only specific articles marked with the 'Infinities' logo within the magazine should be considered out of continuity. Fans of the old monthly Marvel Star Wars comic will be heartened to know that LucasBooks does indeed consider them part of continuity. Decades of retrospect haven't been kind to all the elements of the comic series, but the characters and events still hold weight and are referenced in newer material whenever possible. In order to allow unlimited freedom of storytelling, the Infinities label has been placed on the anthology series, "Star Wars Tales". This means that not only can the stories occur anywhere in the Star Wars timeline, but stories can happen outside continuity. Basically, if an event happens in "Tales", it may not have necessarily happened in the rest of the expanded universe. For some stories, the distinction is largely inconsequential. For others, it's the only way they could exist.
Sort of. IG-88 is a slippery droid, and what makes it really dangerous is its ability to download and replicate its memory into other droid bodies. As detailed in the short story anthology Tales of the Bounty Hunters edited by Kevin J. Anderson, one of IG-88's first acts after achieving sentience and slaughtering the scientists that made it was to create three duplicates of itself. IG-88B, IG-88C, and IG-88D were all extensions of the origional IG-88A, and they all spread destruction throughout the galaxy. IG-88B followed Boba Fett to Bespin, computing that Fett would be the best bet to nab Solo. This droid did not survive an offscreen run-in with the armored bounty hunter, and its scrapped remains are what you see in The Empire Strikes Back.
It's really the vagaries of filmmaking to be blamed for Ponda's bloody arm--given the headaches endured in making that cantina scene a reality, I'm sure the question as to whether a lightsaber should cauterize a wound wasn't on the top of anyone's list. But you're right, this could have been addressed in teh Special Edition, and it wasn't. So, that leaves us to imagine a workaround solution for why Ponda's a bleeder and the wampa, Qui-Gon, and Luke aren't. No official sources have really explained this point, but I would chalk it up to a peculiar side effect of Aqualish physiology and blood chemistry. Or perhaps a quirk of the way Obi-Wan cut. Or the fact that no two injuries are identical. Of course, if you're looking for an in-universe answer for why Ponda has fin-shaped hands when he's pushing Luke around and a hairy clawed when it hits the ground, I'm not even going to try that one.
No, that's not a survivor of Geonosis working for Jabba the Hutt in Return of the Jedi. Nikto refers to the aliens' species, not the characters' names. The Nikto Jedi's name is Fi'ek Sirch.
It's likely that Jabba didn't know or fully appreciate just what it is he had. The rancor that he kept on Tatooine came to the desert planet by accident. One fateful day, his underlings Bib Fortuna and Bidlo Kweve discovered a crashed ship in the sandy wastes. Very little was known about the crashed ship--it belonged to a Captain Grizzid, a notorious smuggler who had dealt with Jabba in the past. Grizzid was hauling a special cargo for an antiquities dealer named Grendu, who had spent some time in the Tarsunt and Anoat systems. Kwerve investiaged the crashed ship, sending several Gamorrean Gaurds to their untimely deaths examining the derelict. Inside the downed vessel was a once-captive rancor, no longer caged and quite angry. At the time, the rancor wasn't full-grown--it was just about two meters tall. Several stun grenades later, Kwerve and his crew subdued the beast. Kwerve and Fortuna presented the rare creature to Jabba shortly thereafter, with the opportunistic Fortuna taking the creidt and the hapless Kwerve being "rewarded" by serving as the captive rancor's first meal. This tale came from very early on in the Expanded Universe of Star Wars lore, when the rancor's true origin was kept purposely mysterious. It wasn't until 1994's Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton that the species' true home was revealed. As such, there has been no solid connection between Jabba's rancor and the rancor homeworld of Dathomir.
Aside from it being a band that enjoyed a mid-level hit in 1997 called "Van Halen" (not to mention the ripping good theme music to Buffy the Vampire Slayer), a nerf herder is someone who herds nerfs. But what is a nerf? A nerf is a rangy, grumpy herbivore raised for its mean on Alderaan. The antlered beasts are tended to by an almost equally surly and scruffy bunch of herders for their meat. These lower-class agricultural workers were the butt of many jokes and the source of many class-based disagreements on Alderaan, so for a noble like Princess Leia, the term "nerf herder" is a common insult.
To be fair, stormtroopers seem to be lousy shots only when firing at the heroes; they mopped up the no-name Rebel losers aboard the Tantive IV pretty quickly. It's a cheap excuse, but that's script immunity for you. To probe this query a bit more realistically, Ben could have been specifically referring to where the stormtroopers shot. Most of the blast points were very well concentrated on the tread mechanisms of the sandcraweler, indicating a technical knowledge and precision military drilling. Tusken Raiders wouldn't have been as disciplined in their shooting.