Originally a prequel to Star Wars, the television series Star Wars: Droids has an odd place within the canon and a history of being changed by nostalgic lore-keepers. Having been retconned and reimagined for the series, it was a confusing labor of love to preserve the droids’ adventures as part of the main timeline. Despite that, the animated series is still credited with the origin of concepts seen within the main Star Wars mythology, often begging the question of whether or not the show is still somehow canon.
In the early ‘80s, George Lucas commissioned two animated series to expand his galaxy and bring it to Saturday mornings. Star Wars: Droids and its companion series Ewoks were the first Star Wars TV shows to air, with the former only getting a single season. Set before the first movie, it focused on the misadventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO before they met Luke Skywalker. While not nearly as recognized to the extent of Star Wars: The Clone Wars or Star Wars: Rebels, it left an impact on the mythos and fandom.
When Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith ended the prequel movies, however, it left the two robots in the service of Captain Antilles and created a huge continuity error. Claimed to be their last master in the original film, it insinuates that the pair traveled with Antilles during the entirety of the cartoon's almost two-decade timespan. Meanwhile, the show had already established that they had multiple owners during that period. Over the years, several have tried to retcon the canon of the two Star Wars droids to account for this. These efforts showed a loving nostalgia for the series but also created a complicated continuity from the first six films. This left the show’s status nebulous until 2014 with the reorganization of the expanded universe.
The first official explanation for Star Wars: Droids came in 2005 as part of Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide. The book mentions both droids were lost shortly after being entrusted to Captain Antilles. The website Hyperspace elaborated on this in the official backstory of minor character Corla Metonae. Eventually, the official website reimagined the series as “The Droids: Re-Animated.” The blog explained that the animated adventures began after the protagonists were jettisoned during a pirate raid. Incorporating obscure lore from across the expanded universe, Lucasfilm confusingly attempted to retrofit the cartoon into the continuity of Star Wars, including material such as a childrens’ book only published in Spain. However, this was the story of Star Wars: Droids until 2014.
The show is known for introducing concepts later seen in the films. These include the planet of Bogden mentioned by Jango Fett in Attack of the Clones, General Grievous’ wheel bike, and some even credit the animated show's Boonta Race as the inspiration for the Boonta Eve Classic podracing tournament in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Although referenced throughout the movies and hinting that the cartoon may still be part of the canon timeline, Star Wars: Droids was officially decanonized by Disney in 2014. While no longer recognized in the prime continuity, the Saturday morning serials exist within the Star Wars Legends timeline and are still acknowledged. In 2021, official lore-keeper Leland Chee even mapped out the cartoon’s alternate timeline.
Regardless of canon, Star Wars: Droids is still a beloved, albeit curious, part of the mythos. Luckily, the series is now available in its entirety on Disney+, and it is very much worth a watch. While no longer part of the main Star Wars timeline, Star Wars: Droids has a place in its history, not only as one of the first Star Wars television shows but also because of all it contributed to Lucas’ legacy.
