Before Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, Star Wars was brimming with material that went beyond the films and television shows. After the buyout, the Expanded Universe became Star Wars Legends.
While no more material has been added to Star Wars Legends since before the purchase, the new canon has expanded and applied various legends aspects. So much media jumps all over the Star Wars Legends timeline that it’s almost impossible to pinpoint something directly without pulling in the films, too.
Star Wars Legends was famous for bringing in fan favourite Grand Admiral Thrawn. He was one of the many aspects to be bought into the canon. The former expanded universe explored the years leading up to the prequels and other parts of Star Wars lore that predate the films.
Characters such as Jacen, Jaina and Anakin Solo were introduced as the children of Han Solo and Princess Leia. Luke was married to former Emperor’s Hand, Mara Jade, with whom he had a son, Ben, named after Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The Original Kylo Ren
Jacen was the original Ben Solo. But unlike Kylo Ren in canon, Jacen became a Sith, taking the name Darth Caedus. He killed his Aunt Mara before being killed by his twin sister, Jaina. Anakin Solo died at a young age.
In some cases, the erasure of Star Wars Legends was a good thing because there was no consistent timeline, as many events overlapped with things that had already happened. However, it did bring about some interesting conflicts, such as the Yuuzhan Vong and Leia somewhat forgiving her biological father, Anakin, in the role he played in blowing up Alderaan by naming her youngest son after him.
