Why is George Lucas so against...

[Mr Silver]

Expanding upon Yoda's species? Don't get me wrong, everyone likes a little mystery, but there has been virtually nothing about the culture or background of Yoda and his species and Lucas has apparently forbidden SW literature writers from even writing anything in depth about Yoda - or his previously mentioned species.

Does anyone here know why this is and are any of the published authors here who have written SW fiction willing to share anything?

 

[Trekker4747]

Why would he? I mean it's not like every single other minute detail, species and character in the SW universe has a detailed backstory and history to it to excruciating detail.

 

[Reverend]

Of course the real story behind Yoda is that he's the secret mutant love-child of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy...can you blame Lucas for not wanting that dirty little secret expounded upon?

Why would he? I mean it's not like every single other minute detail, species and character in the SW universe has a detailed backstory and history to it to excruciating detail.

You jest, but actually that's a fairly good justification for *not* telling his and/or his species' backstory. Whatever some writer comes up with will almost inevitably fail to live up to expectations. I mean my (admittedly dim) recollection of all those "Tales From..." books left me with the distinct feeling that I'd rather not know what <insert random extra's made-up name here> was up when the main heroes weren't around.

Or more to the point, are we happier people now that we know that Anakin Skywalker was a whiney man-child who built C-3PO when he wasn't yelling "whoopie!" I know I liked him better when he was just the best starpilot in the galaxy, a cunning warrior and a good friend.

 

[scnj]

Isn't he supposed to be one of the Whills?

 

[Sector 7]

Expanding upon Yoda's species? Don't get me wrong, everyone likes a little mystery, but there has been virtually nothing about the culture or background of Yoda and his species and Lucas has apparently forbidden SW literature writers from even writing anything in depth about Yoda - or his previously mentioned species.

Does anyone here know why this is and are any of the published authors here who have written SW fiction willing to share anything?

"everyone likes a little mystery"

You answered your own question, IMO. Some people, even here, want every little detail explained far too in depth. Sometimes, something just IS WHAT IT IS.

George Lucas, nor any other author, owes there readers any more than what is already written. When they do give more detail, it is because they want to share something more with their readers... not out of duty.

 

[Set Harth]

Or more to the point, are we happier people now that we know that Anakin Skywalker was a whiney man-child who built C-3PO when he wasn't yelling "whoopie!"

I think you mean "yippee!"

I know I liked him better when he was just the best starpilot in the galaxy, a cunning warrior and a good friend.

You forgot heroic, noble, and likable.

 

[The Wormhole]

It probably is better that something in the Star Wars universe keeps a little mystery surrounding it.

But on the flip side of the coin, compare how little we know about Yoda with how much we know about Moff Jerjerrod.

 

[Dream]

Yoda should be always be one of the mysteries of the saga. I think it is actually pretty cool that we barely know anything about him. It helps us feel like he has been around a very long time.

 

[The Wormhole]

But like I said, it is a bit annoying that we can know practically everything about a background character with thirty seconds screen time yet know almost nothing about Yoda who is practically popculture icon.

 

[PsychoPere]

Of course the real story behind Yoda is that he's the secret mutant love-child of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy...can you blame Lucas for not wanting that dirty little secret expounded upon?

Well, apparently this was Lucas's own joke, so...

Isn't he supposed to be one of the Whills?

No. The entry for Yoda's species on Wookiepedia doesn't cite a source, but says...

Many fans have speculated that this unknown species is the Whills (as in the Journal of the Whills), but in an interview, George Lucas has denied this. Additionally, in lines cut from Revenge of the Sith, Yoda speaks of the Whills as though they were a separate species.

Looking at the Yoda entry, the cut dialogue lines were apparently going to refer to the Whills as the ones who first discovered the "Force ghost" ability that Qui-Gon teaches Yoda.

 

[Cap-Pick-Card]

Of course the real story behind Yoda is that he's the secret mutant love-child of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy...can you blame Lucas for not wanting that dirty little secret expounded upon?

Kermit: Yoda, I am your father.

Yoda: NOOOOOOOOOO!

Kermit: Search your feelings, Yoda. You know it's true.

 

[Silvercrest]

Yoda's a human. You live 900 years, you go through some severe changes.

Hey, there's already a precedent with the Guardians of the Universe.

 

[A beaker full of death]

Why would he? I mean it's not like every single other minute detail, species and character in the SW universe has a detailed backstory and history to it to excruciating detail.

Way too much of that HAS been done already. Lucas was stunned when fans started coming up with names and histories for every little character in the original. It's a fanboy thing.
I, for one, hate it.

 

[Reverend]

Of course the real story behind Yoda is that he's the secret mutant love-child of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy...can you blame Lucas for not wanting that dirty little secret expounded upon?

Kermit: Yoda, I am your father.

Yoda: NOOOOOOOOOO!

Kermit: Search your feelings, Yoda. You know it's true.

You know, I would absolutely pay to see a muppet adaptation of the prequel trilogy. I mean Gonzo as Palpatine alone would be worth it!

 

[Venardhi]

Why would he? I mean it's not like every single other minute detail, species and character in the SW universe has a detailed backstory and history to it to excruciating detail.

Way too much of that HAS been done already. Lucas was stunned when fans started coming up with names and histories for every little character in the original. It's a fanboy thing.
I, for one, hate it.

False. Lucas and co. named everything and gave them back-stories to sell more toys.

 

[Disruptor]

Not really. A lot of the naming came from licensed sources (games, books, comics, etc.), not Lucasfilm itself. In terms of the original trilogy, some characters were named when Star Wars had its down time (1986-1994 or so). When the toys came back in the mid-90's, they often went with those names, like "Ponda Baba" instead of "Walrusman" and his ugly companion "Dr. Evazan"...I doubt Lucasfilm thought the scar-faced guy who picked a fight with Luke was a doctor of anything.

 

[Mike Farley]

Of course the real story behind Yoda is that he's the secret mutant love-child of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy...can you blame Lucas for not wanting that dirty little secret expounded upon?

Kermit: Yoda, I am your father.

Yoda: NOOOOOOOOOO!

Kermit: Search your feelings, Yoda. You know it's true.

You know, I would absolutely pay to see a muppet adaptation of the prequel trilogy. I mean Gonzo as Palpatine alone would be worth it!

Gonzo is, of course, Vader.

 

[The Laughing Vulcan]

He's a Time Lord obviously

 

[Gaith]

are we happier people now that we know that Anakin Skywalker was a whiney man-child who built C-3PO

LIES.

You know, I would absolutely pay to see a muppet adaptation of the prequel trilogy. I mean Gonzo as Palpatine alone would be worth it!

Win.

 

[Reverend]

Kermit: Yoda, I am your father.

Yoda: NOOOOOOOOOO!

Kermit: Search your feelings, Yoda. You know it's true.

You know, I would absolutely pay to see a muppet adaptation of the prequel trilogy. I mean Gonzo as Palpatine alone would be worth it!

Gonzo is, of course, Vader.

Probably going to regret this, but if Gonzo would play Anakin, who would play Luke & Leia? Or Padme for that matter?

Actually, this could be a fun game! I'm thinking: -
Bunsen & Beaker as R2 & 3PO (either way round could work)
Fozzy as Yoda
Rizzo as Mace Windu
Pepe as Obi Wan (Hello there OK!)
Animal as Jango Fett & the clones
Sam the Eagle as Qui-Gon Jinn
The two old heckler blokes as the Trade Federation blokes...?
Sweetums as Dooku
Swedish Chef as Watto
Umm...The pink 'Mah Na Mah Na' things as Jar Jar? I thought animal might be a better choice, but the image of a clone army of Animals is too funny to pass up.
and yeah, I'll stick with Gonzo as Palpatine since Piggy can only play Padme, which by default means Kermit has to be Anakin (Robin filling in for Jake Lloyd?)