Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire was a multimedia project created by Lucasfilm in 1996. The original idea was to create an interquel, a story set between the movies The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi (a time where no Star Wars book had gone before), and to explore all commercial possibilities of a full motion picture release, without actually making the film. The venture paved the way for the theatrical release of the Star Wars Trilogy: Special Edition in the following year, and the later releases of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy.

Project and story overview
Several products were released, including a novel, a junior novelization, a six-issue comic series, a video game, trading cards, a soundtrack, a role-playing game, toy figurines, a series of MicroMachines toys, vinyl dolls and statuettes, model kits, and a line of new action figures and vehicles, and so on. The entire Shadows of the Empire project, though not technically a film, can be collectively considered the closest project to a film in the Star Wars official continuity, without actually being a film. This story is significant in the fact that Lucas reportedly said he would have made a story like this into a movie if he had had the time and effort back in the early 1980's. The entire history and analysis of the project was recorded in The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, by Mark Cotta Vaz.

The main story is told by the novel, the comic series, and the video game. In order to understand everything, one must collect all three products. Certain elements from each part of the story are unknown until reading or playing another part of the project. For example, by reading the book reveals the ending to the story, but not all of the details are known without playing the game. This served as the underlying marketing strategy for the project and was quite successful. The success of Shadows of the Empire also served more or less as a model for the Clone Wars multimedia venture.

While each part of the project can be enjoyed on its own, fans will need to collect several items in order to fully experience the adventure. The novel tells the overall story, focusing on the main characters. The comic book series focuses on bounty hunter Boba Fett's battle to keep possession of the frozen Han Solo. The video game allows players to control new character Dash Rendar, whose adventures in the game weave in and out of the overall storyline. All the while, a battle for the life of Luke Skywalker takes place between Darth Vader and Prince Xizor, as each tries to please the dreaded Emperor Palpatine.

Returning characters

 * Luke Skywalker
 * Leia Organa
 * Lando Calrissian
 * Chewbacca
 * Wedge Antilles
 * Emperor Palpatine
 * Darth Vader
 * Boba Fett
 * Bossk
 * Zuckuss
 * 4-LOM
 * IG-88
 * Jabba the Hutt

New characters

 * Prince Xizor
 * Dash Rendar
 * Leebo (LEB-02D9)
 * Guri
 * Jix
 * Big Gizz
 * Spiker
 * Furlag

Novel
The main plotline is told in Steve Perry's novel, Shadows of the Empire, published by Bantam Books. It introduces Prince Xizor, the overlord of the largest criminal organization in the galaxy, known as Black Sun. His goal is to take Darth Vader's place at Emperor Palpatine's side. Xizor is also seeking vengeance against Vader for the extermination of his people, the Falleen. Xizor makes his move against Vader upon learning of the identity of Luke Skywalker and his relationship to Vader. To exact his revenge, Xizor plots to kill Luke, thinking that will win favor with Palpatine and serve as retribution against Vader. Meanwhile, Vader is still seeking out Luke to convert him to the dark side after their encounter on Bespin. Luke finds himself the target of the two most powerful beings in the galaxy, other than Palpatine himself.

Meanwhile, Han Solo is still frozen in carbonite and is being taken to Jabba the Hutt by the bounty hunter Boba Fett. Leia Organa, along with Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca, enlists the aid of Dash Rendar, a smuggler and acquaintance of Han's. Events transpire that cross the paths of Leia and the Rebels with Xizor and Black Sun that culminate in a battle over Coruscant between Xizor, Vader, and Rogue Squadron. Also revealed are how Leia and Lando developed Han's rescue and the construction of Luke's new lightsaber. Thus, the stage is soon set for Return of the Jedi.

A prequel novel was planned to the original Shadows of the Empire story. The book was to be written by author, Charles Grant. The novel was cancelled apparently due to a Lucasfilm Licsensing move from Bantam to Del Rey.

Comics
While many elements of the novel are also depicted in the comics, there is much greater emphasis on the intrigue between Boba Fett and his fellow bounty hunters, primarily Bossk, Zuckuss, and 4-LOM. It also tells the story of Jix, Darth Vader's special agent assigned to ensuring Luke's protection from Xizor. Upon learning that Luke was on Tatooine, Xizor hired Jabba to kill him. The job was given to his swoop gang, which had been infiltrated by Jix as part of Vader's assignment. The series was written by John Wagner and illustrated by Kilian Plunkett.

Steve Perry, author of the Shadows' novel, was a consultant of the comics. While the stories in the book and comics seldom intersected, it was necessary that characters, scenes, and dialogue match when they did come together. There were also a few tie-in comics and a sequel comic, Shadows of the Empire: Evolution. The first tie-in was Battle of the Bounty Hunters, the first-ever Star Wars pop-up comic. It was simply a reprint of the battle between Boba Fett and IG-88 shown in the first issue of the primary series. The tie-in comic Shadow Stalker tells the story of how Jix earned the respect of Vader enough to receive his mission of protecting Luke, and incorporated characters from the Archie Goodwin Star Wars newspaper strip "Iceworld", reprinted by Dark Horse comics in Classic Star Wars. Additionally, The Jabba Tape continues the adventures of Big Gizz and Spiker - members of Jabba's swoop gang - after Jabba's death. Both Shadow Stalker and The Jabba Tape were originally serialized in Star Wars Galaxy.

Video game
LucasArts's Shadows of the Empire video game was one of the first available for Nintendo's 64-bit system, Nintendo 64. The most commercial product in the Shadows of the Empire line, the Nintendo 64 game was released at the same time of the video game console as a marketing strategy. The computer version came more than a year later. In the game, the player controls Dash Rendar in his efforts to help Luke Skywalker and rescue Princess Leia from Prince Xizor's hands.

The game is divided in four parts (or chapters). The first one takes place during the beginning of The Empire Strikes Back, with Dash assisting in the Battle of Hoth in a snowspeeder, and eventually fleeing Echo Base. In the second part, Dash confronts some of the bounty hunters found in the movies, like IG-88 on Ord Mantell and Boba Fett. In the third chapter, Boba Fett has escaped and the player's mission changes: you must now save Luke Skywalker's life by fighting a deadly gang of bikers in Mos Eisley - this is vividly depicted in the comics as well - and then recover Imperial secret plans of the second Death Star, with Skywalker's help. Finally, in the last chapter takes Dash, Luke, and Lando to Coruscant to rescue Princess Leia from Xizor's stronghold. Certain parts of the game contradict elements from the book and comic book, but the overall story remains the same.

Voice cast

 * Bob Bergen .... Luke Skywalker
 * John Cygan .... Dash Rendar
 * Lisa Fuson .... Leia Organa / Guri
 * Tom Kane .... Leebo
 * Nick Tate .... Prince Xizor / IG-88

Soundtrack
An unusual soundtrack was scored by composer Joel McNeely, after a suggestion by John Williams, and performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Chorus. It was published by Varèse Sarabande. Familiar themes from the movies can only be heard in tracks one (Main Theme from Star Wars and part of Carbon Freeze) and eight (Imperial March and The Force theme). The disc also includes an interactive track for personal computers, containing concept art and additional information about the project.

Track listing

 * 1) Main Theme from Star Wars and Leia's Nightmare (3:41)
 * 2) The Battle of Gall (7:59)
 * 3) Imperial City (8:02)
 * 4) Beggar's Canyon Chase (2:56)
 * 5) The Southern Underground (1:48)
 * 6) Xizor's Theme (4:35)
 * 7) The Seduction of Princess Leia (3:38)
 * 8) Night Skies (4:17)
 * 9) Into the Sewers (2:55)
 * 10) The Destruction of Xizor's Palace (10:44)

Features

 * Music Total time: 51:27
 * Introduction - an overview of the Shadows of the Empire project.
 * Creative Team - the people behind the project.
 * Art Gallery - outstanding art created by people like the concept artist of Star Wars, Ralph McQuarrie.
 * Music - information about Joel McNeely, the orchestra and the efforts to put together a soundtrack for a novel.
 * Shadows of the Empire Universe - information about the book, the game, the comic series and the toys based on the characters.
 * The liner notes of the booklet give brief plot summaries for each track of the corresponding sections from the novel. McNeely wrote, "Unlike with film music, I have been allowed to let my imagination run free with the images, characters and events from this story. I have also had the luxury to loiter as long as I like with a character or scene. Every passage represents some person, place or event in this story."

Toys
Kenner was one of the companies that made the toy line for the Shadows of the Empire project. Kenner's Shadows of the Empire line contains action figures, vehicles, and "two-pack" pairings of new and classic characters.

Lewis Galoob Toys, famous for their line of "Micro Machine" miniature toys and playsets, also developed a full Shadows of the Empire toy line. It included three sets of miniatures and a boxed Action Fleet set with two swoop bikes and riders and four miniature articulated figures. Also included in the sets are the classic Star Wars characters (Luke, Vader, the Emperor) as well as the new characters (Xizor, Dash Rendar, Guri and Leebo).

Action figures

 * Boba Fett vs. IG-88
 * Chewbacca in Bounty Hunter (Snoova) Disguise
 * Dash Rendar
 * Leia in Boushh Disguise
 * Luke Skywalker in Coruscant Guard Disguise
 * Prince Xizor
 * Prince Xizor vs. Darth Vader
 * Swoop Trooper

Action figure vehicles

 * Outrider
 * Slave I
 * Swoop

Trading cards
The trading card company Topps developed the Shadows of the Empire trading card line. The 100-piece Shadows of the Empire card set from Topps represents all three platforms that tells the story &mdash; the book, the comic series and the game, making it a unique storytelling medium and a highly anticipated collectible. The cards are the work of Greg and Tim Hildebrandt, the twin artists who painted the most recognizable Star Wars art of all time - the world-famous poster that is still an icon of the trilogy. The 100 card set featured double UV-coating and an extra-thick 20 pt. card stock for everlasting collectibility, all with full-bleed painted images on a 21/2" x 31/2" card. The Shadows of the Empire card series is highlighted by 72 cards that virtually storyboard the events in Steve Perry's novel. Besides that, there are six cards dedicated to vehicles, other six to the comics and another six keyed to the video game. Each pack came with nine cards.

Trailer
In 1996, to promote the release of the project, Lucasfilm released a trailer showing clips from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. A voiceover was provided that explained the events of the new story and how they connected with the two films. The trailer was meant to give the project the feel of an actual film and film release. The trailer, which was originally broadcast on QVC, was shown as well several times at fan conventions, including the 1996 Wondercon convention, each time by the head of Lucasfilm fan relations, Steve Sansweet. However, Lucasfilm quickly pulled the trailer, fearing that people might think the project was actually a film. Since the pull of the trailer, many fans searching for it to view, have found the trailer extremely difficult to locate, even on the internet. From the book "The Secrets of Shadows of the Empire," this is the complete text from the trailer, as originally read by an unknown narrator:


 * When a renegade hero became a friend in desperate need
 * and a dark villain faced his greatest challenge... When the
 * Empire turned more and more to the forces of the under-
 * world...the underworld moved in to crush the Empire and
 * the Rebellion in a single stroke...After The Empire Strikes
 * Back and before Return of the Jedi, there was a time when he-
 * roes and villains alike lived in the Shadows of the Empire.
 * from The Secrets of Shadows of the Empire by Mark Cotta Voz

Despite the trailer's low availability, some fans recorded the video when it made its debut on QVC. The trailer, the best quality known to be available, can be found here.

Film
In the 1997 Special Edition re-release of A New Hope, Shadows swoop bikes and ASP labor droids make an appearance, as does Dash Rendar's ship, the Outrider. Though originally developed for the Special Edition of A New Hope, the Sentinel-class landing craft (also known as the "Imperial landing craft") also made its first appearance in Shadows of the Empire. This is the craft seen lifting off in A New Hope when the stormtroopers are roaming Tatooine on the Dewbacks. Prince Xizor makes a cameo appearance at the podrace in The Phantom Menace. A Micro Machines model was used to portray him.

Radio
The 1996 Return of the Jedi radio drama, Brian Daley makes several references to events from Shadows.

Comics
A tie-in comic book series was released from writer Ryder Windham in January 2000. The comic book series was known as Star Wars: Shadow Stalker, and was a prelude to the original Shadows of the Empire story. The new comic expanded on the adventures of the character, Jix, from the original story. The series also incorporated characters from the Archie Goodwin Star Wars newspaper strip story "Iceworld", reprinted by Dark Horse comics in Classic Star Wars.

Another tie-in comic was Battle of the Bounty Hunters.

Video game
Several missions in the X-Wing Alliance computer game refer to the Shadows timeline, including the missions to acquire the design schematics of the Death Star II. The game depicts assisting Dash Rendar in the capture of the Imperial freighter Suprosa, which was carrying the secret plans to the second Death Star. Also, Dash Rendar's YT-2400 Outrider can be seen in the game. The Outrider can also be seen very very briefly in the PS2 game Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, in the sequence after the opening crawl and after The Dooku/Palpatine conversation. Once the space arena comes into view, the Outrider flies from the bottom middle of the screen towards the lower right side. It may be a bit hard to spot, but it is there.

Fan film
A group of Brazilian fans created Shadows of the Empire in Action Figures, a fan film based on the project utilizing stop motion techniques to make the characters move and interact, using the action figures from the 1996 release. The film also uses the official soundtrack and concept art created for the original project. The complete film is available for download here.

Trivia

 * The scene in the novel in which Xizor has Guri kill one of his Vigos is possibly an homage to the 1987 film The Untouchables.
 * The N64 and PC versions of the video game differ greatly. The PC version has sharper and smoother gameplay graphics (using a 3D card) than the N64 version. Both versions have slightly different cutscenes &mdash; the PC version has full-motion cinematic cutscenes with sound effects and voices, while the N64 version only has drawn sketches with text at the bottom of the screen. Plus, during gameplay, where in the N64 version you had to read what the characters were saying to you, the PC version has voices.
 * On the PC version of the game, if a player's file is renamed "_CREDITS", the game credits will play as usual, but with the addition of strange subtitles that parody the "Swedish" subtitles from the opening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
 * Representatives from Lucasfilm first approached John Williams to provide an original score. Williams declined, but instead personally recommended Joel McNeely for the job.
 * George Lucas once said that, not only does he approve of this story, but that he enjoyed it so much that, had he had the story in the 80's, he would have made a film version of it.
 * At one point, the Shadows of the Empire video game was actually going to be centered around Boba Fett, but this descision was changed when LucasArts thought to instead make a Boba Fett game (which has yet to ever be made) and Dark Horse claiming exclusive rights to center their version around Boba Fett.