Last Tuesday (5th January 2021) saw the launch of several Star Wars High Republic books and a comic. This is to coincide with a new official timeline for the Star Wars Universe, They look really cool and I will definitely buy the snappily named: Star Wars: Light of the Jedi (The High Republic) (Light of the Jedi (Star Wars: The High Republic)) by Charles Soule (once the kindle price is less insane).

I looked on Amazon and saw that these books and comics all start with the new official era timeline in their opening pages. This is not just for existing clarity but for future Star Wars projects to have a handy place to slot in. Fans need to know what period they are dealing with after all. And there are a shitload of new films and shows (and consequently books and comics) that are coming out.

What new Star Wars films and series have been announced so far?

If you are on a sci-fi site and reading this, you probably know at least a few. Here is a brief list:

• Rogue Squadron – the next film to be released, directed by Patty Jenkins (who did Wonder Woman). Release date is likely the end of 2023.
• A Taika Waititi Star Wars film. That’s pretty much all the info.
• Obi-Wan Kenobi – a special TV series with Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen.
• Ashoka – Ahsoka Tano’s story starring Rosario Dawson and executive produced by Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau. Does this count as a Mandalorian spinoff? (I’m in.)
• Rangers of the New Republic – set at the same time as the Mandalorian and again produced by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni.
• Lando – an ‘event’ series. About Lando.
• Andor – A spy thriller with Diego Luna reprising the role of rebel spy Cassian Andor from Rogue One. Cast also includes Stellan Skarsgard.
• The Acolyte – a mystery thriller set at the end of the High Republic and presumably has some dark-side sith action going on.
• The Bad Batch – This is a group that first appeared in the Clone Wars animated show and will be a new animated show. Essentially they are deviant clones that are awesome mercenaries.
•  Star Wars: Visions – a series of short animated films from a variety of people.
• A Droid story – seems vague for now. It will feature Droids – the slaves of the universe – doing something or other.

For more information, some artwork and a couple of clips, check out the official Star Wars site.

Ok, got all that?

The new official Star Wars Timeline:

The High Republic

As mentioned, this has already kicked off with some books. It is the high point of the Jedi and a generally fun and adventurous time to be around.

---

The Fall of the Jedi

This is essentially the period of the prequel trilogy. Which had some good points and some bad. The Clone Wars were pretty good.

---

Reign of the Empire

Ahh the good days of Vader, the Emperor and the glorious Empire… Good times. This includes everything from Palpatine taking over up until the original trilogy. So Solo and the upcoming Bad Batch are in this period.

---

Age of Rebellion

The original trilogy, Rogue One and Rebels all happen in this period. Go rebellion!

---

The New Republic

The period that begins at the end of Return of the Jedi. When everyone lives happily ever after and there is even a baby Yoda. The end…

---

Rise of the First Order

Ok, so it wasn’t happily ever after. In fact it all goes to shit with the New Order and Palpatine and so on. This, at present, is the final time period and features the final trilogy and Resistance. But is that all? There are rumours that Patty Jenkin’s Rogue Squadron might be set after this period.

Here is all is in graphic form:

---

So there you go. The official six new eras from the High Republic to the First Order and beyond. I saw the original films in the cinema and am a long time fan. There was a 10+ year period where it looked like there would never be a Star Wars film ever again. Say what you want about Disney, they have made this the most exciting time ever to be a Star Wars fan.

I haven’t been this excited since Jedi Fallen Order.

If the above isn’t enough, here is a video from Nerdist News with Dan Casey.