Star Wars is set to reveal the history of the Hutts in the High Republic Era. The future of Star Wars lies in the past, with Lucasfilm Publishing recently launching a transmedia initiative called Star Wars: The High Republic. These stories are set roughly 200 years before the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, at a time when the Old Republic was expanding into the galaxy's Outer Rim.
But the growth of the Republic has not gone unopposed. The principal villains of Star Wars: The High Republic are a group of marauding space Vikings known as the Nihil. Other forces lurk in the shadows, with Claudia Gray's novel Into the Dark introducing a dark side race even the Sith could not wipe out. The book further hinted the Hutts, already a powerful force in the Outer Rim, are ultimately displeased at the idea of law and order being extended into their territory.
It seems the Hutt's hostility towards the Republic is set to turn into open conflict. Solicitations for Marvel's Star Wars: The High Republic #5 reveal the Jedi who safeguard the Republic are about to find themselves under attack from Hutt forces. Here's the full solicit:
- Star Wars: The High Republic #5
- Cavan Scott (writer)
- Ario Anindito (artist)
- Cover by Phil Noto
- ATTACK OF THE HUTTS!
- The HIGH REPUBLIC JEDI clash with HUTT forces. GAMORREANS! NIKTO! BATTLE RANCORS!
- STARLIGHT BEACON over-run by a creeping alien horror! Can VERNESTRA RWOH and her Padawan IMRI CANTAROS find a way to save Starlight’s infected masses?
- Plus, KEEVE TRENNIS learns the terrible secret MASTER SSKEER has been carrying for so long. Can she ever trust him again?
It is reasonable to assume Star Wars: The High Republic will help explain how the Republic fell. The Republic in this time period was bold and confident, with its government headed by a Chancellor who believed she had been appointed to perform "Great Works" across the galaxy. And yet, for all that is the case, within two centuries the Republic had retreated from the Outer Rim, even allowing slavery to continue in Hutt space. While the Nihil may be destined to be defeated by the Republic, it looks as though the Hutts will force them to compromise.
The story is only beginning, of course, and no doubt the uneasy and uncomfortable status quo seen in the prequel trilogy will take time to develop. That means fans can expect Star Wars: The High Republic to shine a fascinating light on the history of relations between the Hutts and the rest of the galaxy. What's more, Claudia Gray's novel Master & Apprentice hinted the compromises made with the Hutts ultimately led to the Republic's loss of moral authority across the galaxy. The Hutts may well be the greatest villains of the High Republic Era – and it will be exciting to see how they figure in the overarching Star Wars narrative.