Best Star Wars Legends Stories That Deserve A Live-Action Adaptation

Summary

• Star Wars Legends elements like the Darth Bane trilogy and X-Wing series deserve a live-action adaptation.
• The Thrawn Trilogy remains untouched, waiting for a live-action adaptation to be an explosive epic.
• Knights of the Old Republic, with its defining piece of Star Wars lore, deserves more in a live-action adaptation.

When Disney hit the reset button on Star Wars canon in 2012, the Expanded Universe—home to some of the galaxy’s most legendary stories—was shoved into hyperspace and rebranded as “Legends.” Fans weren’t happy. After all, this was where Grand Admiral Thrawn outmaneuvered the New Republic, where Darth Bane cemented the Sith’s infamous Rule of Two, and where the Jedi clashed with the terrifying Yuuzhan Vong.

Now, luckily for many Star Wars fans, Lucasfilm has been steadily pulling Legends elements back into the fold, whether through live-action shows like Ahsoka or the ever-expanding world of comics. But while fans have seen characters like Grand Admiral Thrawn make a triumphant return, it would be an understatement to say that there’s still a galaxy’s worth of untapped potential in the Legends. From the sinister origins of the Sith in the Darth Bane trilogy to the adrenaline-fueled X-Wing series, here are some of Star Wars‘ best Legend stories that deserve a live-action adaptation.

1

Death Troopers

A Star Wars Horror Story Featuring A Deadly Zombie Outbreak

• Author: Joe Schreiber
• Publication Date: October 13, 2009
• Publisher: Del Rey Books

Death Troopers isn’t a typical Star Wars story—it’s a full-blown sci-fi horror novel that throws zombies into the galaxy far, far away. The chilling tale follows the crew of the Imperial prison barge “Purge,” which breaks down in deep space. Desperate for supplies, they board a seemingly abandoned Star Destroyer…only to unleash a nightmarish virus that turns the dead into relentless, flesh-hungry monsters.

With Death Troopers, Star Wars took a bold step into the horror genre, delivering gruesome thrills and a uniquely eerie atmosphere. And with the Blackwing virus now canon thanks to Star Wars Commander, the potential for a live-action adaptation or comic series is tantalizing. A Star Wars horror film? Yes, please. The blend of isolation, survival, and pure terror could offer a fresh, spine-chilling take on the franchise—one that fans of both Star Wars and horror would devour.

2

Republic Commando

Clone Soldiers Navigate War, Brotherhood, And Survival Beyond The Jedi

• Developer: LucasArts
• Release Dates: March 4, 2005
• Genre: Tactical shooter, first-person shooter
• Mode: Single-player, multiplayer

The Star Wars: Republic Commando series is a military first-person shooter video game at its finest. Spanning five novels, the series shifts the focus away from Jedi and Sith, instead diving into the lives of Republic Commandos—elite clone troopers bred for battle. Traviss masterfully explains how these aren’t just nameless soldiers; they’re individuals grappling with identity, loyalty, and a war they had no choice in fighting.

Appreciated for its realistic portrayal of military life and deep character development, the series provides a nuanced, boots-on-the-ground perspective of the Clone Wars. This is why a live-action adaptation could finally do justice to the clones’ harrowing experiences, offering a raw, emotionally charged look at the war that reshaped the galaxy.

3

X-Wing Series

Elite Pilots Lead Thrilling Starfighter Battles Against The Empire’s Forces

• Authors: Michael A. Stackpole, Aaron Allston
• First Book Publish Date: 1996 (for Rogue Squadron)
• Publisher: Bantam Spectra

The Star Wars: X-Wing series delivers some of the best starfighter action in Star Wars lore, putting the spotlight on the daring pilots of Rogue Squadron and Wraith Squadron. These ten novels go beyond the Jedi and Sith, offering a boots-on-the-ground (or rather, ships-in-the-air) perspective on the Galactic Civil War. From intense dogfights to deep character development, the series perfectly blends military strategy with humor, camaraderie, and high-stakes missions.

A live-action adaptation could finally bring these exhilarating space battles to life while giving unsung heroes like Wedge Antilles the spotlight they deserve. With Top Gun: Maverick proving that audiences love high-speed aerial action, X-Wing is primed to be the Star Wars answer to adrenaline-fueled, character-driven dogfighting stories.

4

Jedi Knight

A Rebel Mercenary Becomes A Jedi While Battling The Dark Side

• Developer: LucasArts and Raven Software
• First Release: Star Wars: Dark Forces (1995)
• Genre: First-person shooter, third-person shooter
• Mode: First-person shooter, third-person shooter

The Jedi Knight games introduced one of Star Wars Legends’ most beloved characters: Kyle Katarn. This former Imperial officer-turned-Rebel-mercenary-turned-Jedi-Knight had a career so eventful it could fill an entire trilogy of films. He’s the guy who originally stole the Death Star plans (before Rogue One rewrote that bit of history) and later co-founded Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Academy.

Spanning multiple games—Dark Forces (1995), Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2 (1997), Jedi Outcast (2002), and Jedi Academy (2003)—the series followed Katarn’s evolution from a hardened soldier to a powerful Force user struggling with the lure of the dark side. Now that Disney+ has reintroduced Luke’s Jedi Academy, the timing couldn’t be better to bring Katarn into the mix. The 30-year gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens is ripe for untold stories, and a live-action adaptation of Katarn’s journey could give Star Wars fans another legendary hero to rally behind.

5

The Darth Bane Trilogy

The Origins Of The Sith’s Rule Of Two Explained

• Author: Drew Karpyshyn
• Publisher: Del Rey
• First Book Published: September 26, 2006

The Darth Bane trilogy is a masterclass in Sith storytelling, explaining the origins of the infamous Rule of Two—a doctrine that ensured the Sith’s survival for generations. Drew Karpyshyn’s trilogy follows Dessel, a hardened miner who rises through brutality to become Darth Bane, the architect of the Sith’s future. Witnessing the self-destructive infighting of his kind, Bane enacts a ruthless philosophy: only a master to embody power, and an apprentice to crave it.

Fans often praise the series for its rich world-building and compelling character arcs, particularly Bane’s chilling mentorship of Darth Zannah. With the Rule of Two firmly entrenched in canon, bringing this story to live-action would finally give audiences an insight into the Sith’s machinations, which is just an era of Star Wars begging to be explored.

6

The Force Unleashed

Darth Vader’s Secret Apprentice Wields Unmatched Power Against Jedi And Empire

• Developer: LucasArts, Krome Studios, n-Space, and Universomo
• Release Date: September 16, 2008
• Genre: Action-adventure, hack and slash
• Mode: Single-player, multiplayer

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed took the galaxy by storm in 2008, introducing Starkiller—Darth Vader’s secret apprentice—whose raw power made even the most powerful Sith Lords look tame. Set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, the game followed Galen Marek’s journey from ruthless Jedi hunter to conflicted warrior, exploring themes of redemption and the dark side’s seductive pull.

When Disney reorganized Star Wars continuity in 2014, The Force Unleashed was relegated to Legends. However, Starkiller’s popularity never faded—Dave Filoni even considered reintroducing him as an Inquisitor in Star Wars Rebels. Therefore, a live-action adaptation could reimagine Starkiller’s story with a more grounded approach, whether as Vader’s rogue apprentice or a sinister Inquisitor, adding another compelling layer to the galaxy far, far away.

7

The New Jedi Order Series

• Authors: R.A. Salvatore, Michael Stackpole, James Luceno, Michael Jan Friedman, Troy Denning, Matthew Stover, Kathy Tyers, Greg Keyes, Elaine Cunningham, Aaron Allston, Walter Jon Williams, Sean Williams & Shane Dix
• Publisher: Various, primarily Del Rey
• First Book Published: 1999

The New Jedi Order series is one of Star Wars’ most ambitious and polarizing sagas, spanning 19 novels that push the galaxy—and its heroes—to their limits. At the heart of this story is the Yuuzhan Vong, a sadistic, extragalactic species immune to the Force, whose brutal invasion shatters the fragile peace of the New Republic. This existential threat forces the Jedi, led by Luke Skywalker, to rethink everything they know, while the next generation—Jaina, Jacen, and Anakin Solo—grapple with loss, leadership, and the burden of legacy.

Known for its darker tone and shocking character deaths, the series delivers high-stakes storytelling that forever alters the Expanded Universe. In fact, bringing this saga to the screen would introduce a level of emotional depth rarely seen in Star Wars storytelling.

8

Darth Plagueis

The Sith Lord Behind Palpatine’s Rise Seeks Ultimate Power

• Author: James Luceno
• Publisher: Del Rey (US), Arrow (UK)
• Release Date: January 10, 2012

Few Star Wars books have captivated fans quite like Darth Plagueis by James Luceno. Published in 2012, this Legends novel delves into the rise and fall of Darth Plagueis the Wise—the Sith Lord infamous for his obsession with immortality and mastery over midi-chlorians. The story follows his ascent to power, his training of a young Sheev Palpatine, and the intricate Sith manipulations that set the stage for The Phantom Menace. It’s a gripping deep dive into Sith philosophy, galactic politics, and the dark side’s long game.

Despite being Legends, the novel remains a fan favorite, with many arguing it integrates seamlessly into existing Star Wars canon. And the Acolyte series, set 50 years before Episode I, could be the perfect place to reintroduce Plagueis into the canon and reveal the mystery behind Palpatine’s master.

9

The Thrawn Trilogy

Grand Admiral Thrawn’s Tactical Genius Sparks A Galactic Political Thriller

• Author: Timothy Zahn
• Publisher: Bantam Spectra
• Publication Years: 1991–1993

The Thrawn Trilogy is the gold standard of Star Wars Legends storytelling. Set five years after Return of the Jedi, Timothy Zahn’s trilogy masterfully expands the galaxy with Grand Admiral Thrawn—a brilliant tactician whose strategic genius makes him one of the franchise’s most compelling villains. His cold, calculated war against the fledgling New Republic keeps fans hooked, while Mara Jade, the Emperor’s former assassin, adds complexity with her layered arc alongside Luke Skywalker.

Thrawn’s overwhelming popularity led to his canon reintroduction in Rebels and Ahsoka, but the trilogy’s intricate politics, thrilling space battles, and beloved characters remain untouched. So a live-action adaptation wouldn’t just be a nostalgia trip—it would be an explosive epic worthy of the Star Wars name.

10

Knights Of The Old Republic

A Fallen Jedi’s Journey Shapes A War Between Sith And Republic

• Developer: BioWare, Obsidian Entertainment, Saber Interactive, Broadsword Online Studios
• First Release: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – July 15, 2003
• Genre: Action role-playing, Massively multiplayer online role-playing
• Mode: Single-player, Multiplayer (for MMO titles)

Knights of the Old Republic isn’t just one of the greatest Star Wars games—it’s one of the best RPGs ever made. Released in 2003 by BioWare, this masterpiece takes players 4,000 years before the Skywalker saga, into an era where Jedi and Sith clash on a galactic scale. At the heart of it all is Revan, a Jedi-turned-Sith-turned…well, that depends on players’ choices. The game’s morality system, deep character arcs, and shocking twists—yes, that twist—have cemented its place as a defining piece of Star Wars lore.

Knights of the Old Republic introduced an entire generation of fans to the Old Republic era, spawning sequels, novels, and fervent debates about what should be canon. And while the Knights of the Old Republic remake faces development limbo, there’s no denying that Revan’s journey deserves more. So, whether through a live-action adaptation, a comic series, or an official canonization of his story, Knights of the Old Republic‘s legacy is too important to leave in Legends.