There's a Forgotten Star Wars Conflict That Really Needs to Make It To the Screen

There’s a Forgotten Star Wars Conflict That Really Needs to Make It To the Screen


The Star Wars universe is marred by conflict, some with larger repercussions than others. From the iconic Galactic Civil War in the original trilogies, to the devastating Clone Wars, political unrest colors the galaxy. However, nestled within the sprawling lore is a lesser-known but pivotal conflict: the Stark Hyperspace War.

The Stark Hyperspace War consists of issues #36 to 39 of Dark Horse Comics’ Star Wars: Republic series–written by John Ostrander with art by Davidé Fabbri. The arc features many fan-favorite characters, including Qui-Gon Jinn, Plo Koon, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Mace Windu, as well as characters not as well known in mainstream lore.

The fallout from the Stark Hyperspace War paved the way for the Clone Wars and the events of Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Though the arc was written in 2001 and is considered Legends continuity, the events are integral to canon Star Wars lore as well.

The Stark Hyperspace War Gives A Fresh Look At The Prequel Era And Jedi Dynamics

Star Wars: Republic #36-39; Written By John Ostrander Wit Art By Davidé Fabbri.

The war itself was instigated by an Outer Rim warlord, Iaco Stark. While Stark was not a Jedi, Force-sensitive, or particularly skilled in the way that the typical heroes and villains in Star Wars are, he was instead a master manipulator. Understanding the significance of bacta–a substance with near-miraculous healing properties–and the lengths people would go to in order to maintain a steady supply of the medicine, Stark orchestrated and essentially monopolized the production and distribution of bacta. By artificially inflating prices and hoarding bacta while spreading a rumor that there were shortages, Stark brought the galactic economy to its knees and inflicted widespread suffering.

Once the Jedi Order was made aware of Stark’s movements, they formed a two-pronged approach. Padawan Quinlan Vos and his master Tholme investigated the truth behind the shortage, discovering that it was all a lie devised by Stark. In fact, the supply of bacta was as stable as always, but being hoarded to keep the lie alive. Another delegation of Jedi—Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Plo Koon, and Koon’s master, Tyvokka–met Stark in negotiation, only to be trapped due to Stark sabotaging any ships that attempted to jump into hyperspace. With the Jedi delegation stranded with no way to contact Coruscant, their only option was to fight.

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The Stark Hyperspace War is a bridge between the relative peace of the pre-Phantom Menace era and the Clone Wars. The conflict made both Jedi and opportunists like Stark aware of the Republic’s inability to handle large-scale disasters. Such a weakness was something that a future Palpatine preyed upon, cinching his rise to power as the Emperor. The war also played a part in shaping young padawans like Quinlan Vos and Obi-Wan, who experienced loss, suffering, and the ugliness of war first-hand.

The Stark Hyperspace War Is A Perfect Blend of Action And Intrigue For A Live-Action Adaptation

A Series Would Connect Existing Lore

The Stark Hyperspace War fills a relatively unexplored period in the Star Wars timeline, showing a time that was more-or-less peaceful. A Disney+ series adapting this arc would open up endless opportunities for world-building with the introduction of new planets and species. A character like Stark is ripe for live-action, as he is more like Han Solo than a Jedi; he is an opportunist who acquired his power based on skill and dedication alone. While on the opposite side of the moral spectrum to Han Solo or Lando Calrissian, an exploration of Stark and his rise to power would be a fascinating storyline.

With the massive success of Andor, it’s clear that Star Wars fans are drawn to gritty political action thrillers, which is exactly what The Stark Hyperspace War could bring to live-action.

A live-action adaptation could bring back beloved characters such as Plo Koon, Mace Windu, and Qui-Gon Jinn, and explore how each Jedi master handled conflict differently. Even among the other Jedi, Qui-Gon is seen as an outlier, while Mace Windu is unrelenting. But it is Plo Koon who truly shines, as his telepathic powers and his compassionate heart are ultimately what saves the day. So far, the Star Wars live-action and animated series have not had a chance to fully explore the backgrounds of these three iconic Jedi.

Similarly, Obi-Wan and Quinlan Vos’s padawan days are also largely unknown outside the comics. The only glimpse of Obi-Wan as a padawan in Star Wars live-action is during The Phantom Menace, but even that was an isolated story set at the end of his training with Qui-Gon. A series digging into Obi-Wan’s youth as an inexperienced Jedi as well as the relationship he forged with fellow padawan Quinlan Vos would give both padawans deeper characterization and show that these young boys forged a bond based on their struggles with adapting to the Jedi way.

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The Force ultimately showed the young padawan Obi-Wan that he was going to lose Qui-Gon Jinn sooner rather than later, regardless of the circumstance.

A Disney+ series based on this comic arc would give fans a glimpse into an unexplored yet pivotal relevant chapter in Star Wars history. With the massive success of Andor, it’s clear that Star Wars fans are drawn to gritty political action thrillers, which is exactly what The Stark Hyperspace War could bring to live-action. The exciting action sequences, fan-favorite characters, political intrigue, rich character development, and a connection to the wider Star Wars lore, the series would not only appeal to fans, but give more critical context for the Republic’s pre-Clone Wars vulnerabilities and the rising tide of corruption that would eventually engulf the galaxy.

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