The original Star Wars turns 50 next year, and Disney’s marking the occasion with more than just a re-release in theaters.
Lucasfilm Publishing’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con revealed a wave of new books for the sci-fi franchise. First and foremost are the novelizations of the original trilogy that will be released on February 2, 2027, in unabridged, audiobook format. At the time each film was released, they were each adapted into a book, with A New Hope‘s novelization coming out half a year before the film’s release under the title Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker. Written by Alan Dean Foster (but credited to George Lucas), the novelization notably has some differences from the finished film, and its prologue references Palpatine’s rise to power.
Along with the audiobooks, DK Publishing will release a retrospective book on the original film’s production. Meanwhile, Star Wars Icons: Vader by journalist Anthony Breznican digs into the creation and enduring legacy of the Sith Lord. The Vader book will release this October, and DK’s retrospective doesn’t have a release window yet.
Speaking of the Skywalkers, Luke and Leia will headline a new adult novel—Twin Crossroads by Beth Revis (The Princess and the Scoundrel). Set after Return of the Jedi, the story sees the twins infiltrating Imperial Coruscant and coming to terms with being their parents’ children and how they each use the Force. We’ve only gotten a small taste of Leia using the Force, and Revis has already said the book will expand on that by showing where Leia got her kyber crystal and how the twins play off each other as teacher and student.
“Luke and Leia are at the crossroads of trying to determine how they’re going to move on with their lives and what they’re going to become,” she explained. “He gave up his full training in order to save his friends, which is a noble thing to do, but how is that going to impact what he can do in the future? Leia gives her all in whatever she does, which had me wondering: what changed? There is a whole lifetime summed up in that one moment [in The Rise of Skywalker] when she rips off her helmet.”
Twin Crossorads will release in April 2027. There’s even more Star Wars books coming throughout this year and next, and you can see what’s in store right here.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
