Starlog: The Rest of the Story

Ah the “Stalog” quote.

The only quote fans who hate the Expanded Universe ever quote to “prove their point”

I used to see it all the time as a response to my “Defending the EU” videos. Seeing it so much you’d think everyone read Starlog, cut out that quote in issue #337 from August of 2005.

Or they went to wookiepedia, read it without looking at Leeland Chee’s explanation (in the very next paragraph) and acted like they knew everything based on their sole Google search.

For years, I’ve been the one talking about Leeland Chee’s direct response to the quote when asked about it in December of that same year.

CHEE: "GL is certainly not bound by the EU, though he's certainly open to using things created in it (Aayla Secura and the Coruscant name, for example). On the other hand, the quote you provide makes it sound like the EU is separate from George's vision of the Star Wars universe. It is not. The EU must follow certain tenets set by George through the films and other guidelines that he provides outside of the films."

Can’t be anymore clear than that.

I finally got a chance to read a copy of the Starlog interview and I found more to the quote from George:

“But I do try to keep it consistent. The way I do it now is they have a copy of the Star Wars Encyclopedia. So if I came up with a name or something else, I look it up and see if it has already been used.”

The extended quote is on Wookiepedia at the moment, so anyone can go out there and see it for yourself, but there you have it. George does try to keep it consistent.

And if you ever get the chance to read the actual issue there’s some other interesting comments in it as well. Lucas talks about the possibilities of the Star Wars TV show, as well as a TV series sequel follow up to Willow (which is on Disney+ right now)

I’m curious to know how much of the script and ideas came from George’s notes if any. I plan on watching it and seeing if it’s any good. Needless to say, my hopes aren’t high.

Regardless, it’s time for the EU Haters to put this quote to rest. It’s been refuted, it doesn’t stand up to every other report we have and it’s not going to be a “mic drop” moment that people think it is, when used in conversation.