Before Disney purchased the rights to Star Wars, there were plenty of video games in the works based within the fictional universe. The development team, LucasArts, was working on several pitches around 2004 before striking the deal to develop the video game title, The Force Unleashed. However, one title that LucasArts creative director, Haden Blackman, previously pitched was Star Wars VII: Shadows of The Sith, a video game we’re finally getting details about years later.
(Spoiler Warning: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens)
Within the published 2008 book, Rouge Leaders: The Story of LucasArts, a page full of logos showed off some ideas for cancelled video games within the Star Wars franchise. One of those logos was an idea for Star Wars Episode VII, years before Disney obtained the rights to Star Wars or for the matter, any thought was given to creating new films outside of the prequels. This logo was picked up by Cinelinx who wanted to learn just what this game entailed.
Reaching out to former LucasArts creative director, Haden Blackman, it was discovered that not only did Haden knew what the video game was about but that he was the person behind the pitch. According to Haden, the game was set to be based on Ben Skywalker, a character that was introduced into New Jedi Order novels as Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade’s son. This story would have had Ben struggling between the light and dark sides while the main antagonist would have been a descendant of Han Solo.
Episode VII: Shadows of the Sith would have put you in the role of an adult Ben Skywalker,” Haden explained, “who was walking the line between the light and dark sides of the Force, unleashing new Force powers never-before-seen in games or movies as he investigated a new threat to the galaxy (a Solo…).
While the pitch would have connected the novels and the film series, LucasArts ultimately went with developing the video game, The Force Unleashed which later received a sequel. It’s interesting how Han Solo’s descendant also would have been the antagonist since the latest film, Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens also used a similar concept. Turns out that kid never had a chance within the Star Wars universe.
