A newStar WarsTV show based on the acclaimedStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicvideo game is reportedly in development, and there’s only one right way to approach this project to ensure its success. Despite the immense popularity of theKOTORgames and the era surrounding them inthe originalStar WarsExpanded Universe, now known as “Legends,” it’s easy to understand why adapting the old Republic into canon is daunting.
KOTORremains one of the most belovedStar Warsstories, so failing to adapt it properly would result in considerable backlash from fans.The Acolyteattempted to bring the High Republic era to live-action but was canceled after one season due to heavy criticism and poor viewership. However, if a potentialKOTORseries were to focus on one aspect of the game’s story, it has a better chance of doing the source material justice.
A KOTOR Show Should Connect To The Games (Without Adapting Them)
Expanding an old story by adding something new
AKOTORTV show’s biggest challenge is striking the correct balance between old and new. While the writers could tell an entirely new story set in the Old Republic era,longtime fans would likely resent being promised aKOTORseries only for it to have nothing to do with the game it’s based on. On the other hand, a direct adaptation would likely fail to live up to the game no matter how it was executed.
Lucasfilm probably wouldn’t want to do a direct adaptation anywaysincea remake of the originalKOTORgameis currently being developed. This may give aKOTORshow more incentive to be directly connected to the games but further illustrates why directly adapting them is not a good idea. Thankfully, theKOTORgames presented the perfect way for a new project to expand the story.
Star Wars Can Depict Revan’s War Against The Mandalorians
A story that was mapped out but never fully explored
If aKOTORTV show comes to fruition, it should focus on Revan and his fellow Jedi defending the Republic from the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders.This conflict was a crucial part ofKOTOR’s backstory but never fully fleshed out in the tie-in books and comics, making it a perfect place to begin a new story. It would allow aKOTORshow to connect to the games while expanding the story, rather than adapting it.
This is the perfect strategy for old and new fans, fleshing out an existing tale for longtime fans and giving newcomers a good place to start.A Mandalorian invasion of the Old Republic would immediately raise the stakes and show what the heroes have to lose, making the audience empathize with Revan when he defies the Jedi Council and goes to war. The first season would show how the war changed him despite his victory against the Mandalorians.
Star Warsis no stranger to having Jedi become Sith, but watching it unfold across multiple seasons would be incredibly compelling.
Focusing on Revan’s time as a Jedi hero would be the ideal introduction to a character destined for good and evil. His inevitable fate as a villain would be heartbreaking after following him for so many episodes, while his eventual redemption would be all the more satisfying. It would also be a period of Revan’s life that hasn’t been explored as much, highlighting a different side of his character.
Additional seasons would then chronicle more of Revan’s story leading up to the events of the firstKOTORgame: the devastating Republic victory at Malachor V, the quest to find the Sith Empire, and concluding withDarth Revan’s fall to the dark side.Star Warsis no stranger to having Jedi become Sith, but watching it unfold across multiple seasons would be incredibly compelling.
A TV Show Can Accommodate KOTOR’s Various Character Arcs
The perfect way to incorporate multiple storylines
Aside from Revan, theKOTORgames have several compelling characters and side missions, which a TV show has more time to adapt. Revan could never have succeeded without his best friend Alek, who later became his Sith apprentice, Darth Malak.AKOTORshow could also flesh out the backstory of Meetra Surik, the second game’s protagonist who became known as the “Jedi Exile.”
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Even theKOTORcomic series by John Jackson Miller could be incorporated into this TV show. Set before the games,theKOTORcomics follow a young Jedi named Zayne Carrick who must go on the run to prove his innocencewhen he is framed for murdering his fellow students. The series also introduced a secret organization called the Jedi Covenant, dedicated to preventing the Sith’s return at all costs.
Another fascinating possibility for aKOTORshow is including the backstory for the games' other Sith Lords.Darth Traya was once a Jedi called Kreia, who trained Revan as a Jediand took his place as a Sith when he returned to the light. There’s also Darth Sion and Darth Nihilus, two of the most terrifying Sith in Legends whose backstories would be a perfect addition to aKOTORshow.
A KOTOR Show Would Be The Ultimate Star Wars Prequel
Connecting to the games and the Mandoverse
This approach with aKOTORshow also makes sense because it can connect to other ongoingStar Warsprojects.The Mandalorianwas the first live-actionStar Warsshow and the foundation of the current “Mandoverse”, so audiences are already familiar with Mandalorian culture. A prequel with the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders as villains would reveal the"ancient way"that has been alluded to throughoutThe Mandalorian.
Seeing the Mandalorians at the height of their power would show why groups like Death Watch and the Children of the Watch were eager to return to Mandalore’s warrior past. At the same time, it would reveal why Mandalorian society was reformed and why many of its warriors harbored resentment towards the Jedi and the Republic. This would make seeing Mandalorians, Jedi, and New Republic pilots working together in upcoming movies and shows more compelling.
AKOTORshow could also connect toStar Wars: Skeleton Crew, which has featured several references to the Old Republic era.
Focusing on Revan’s history would also familiarize viewers withKOTOR’s backstory before the upcoming remake, even if it’s not set in the same timeline. Alternatively, the show’s success could lead to a canon adaptation of theKOTORgames once Disney and Lucasfilm have proven themselves with a prequel. AnyStar Warsstory connected toStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicwill be exciting, but this approach is the right way to make a good first impression in canon.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic tells the story of the Star Wars universe long before the Skywalker family altered the fate of the galaxy. The player assumes control of Revan, an amnesiac Force user who finds themselves thrown into the center of the ancient struggle between the Jedi and the Sith. An open-world RPG that allows the player to explore a galaxy of planets, KOTOR puts an emphasis on player choice: Revan must decide whether to save the galaxy, or conquer it.
