"Lego Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy" – A Brick-Built Twist on the Force Awakens
The beloved Lego Star Wars franchise is entering a new era with "Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy" – a four-part miniseries, premiering on Disney+ in September 2023. This is no ordinary Lego romp, however. "Rebuild the Galaxy" offers a radical reimagining of the Star Wars universe, one built not on space battles and laser swords, but on the very foundation of the universe itself. Using the familiar bricks, the series dramatically reshapes iconic planets, vehicles, and even the characters themselves, twisting established narratives and creating mind-bending mashups of beloved and infamous figures.
The series focuses on a pair of nerf herders – an unlikely duo who accidentally trigger a cosmic upheaval, rewriting the Star Wars universe in a chaotic, brick-built fashion. The result is a multiverse brimming with familiar faces, but in unexpected roles. The heroes are now villains, the villains have become heroes, and the established order is turned on its head.
"Rebuild the Galaxy" is a bold experiment in storytelling, not shying away from asking "what if?" questions, exploring alternate realities and venturing into unexplored territories within the Star Wars mythos. While the series maintains its humorous Lego charm, it also dives into deeper themes of morality, destiny, and the impact of change.
The Devil’s in the Details: How "Rebuild The Galaxy" Rebuilds the Canon
The writers, Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit, have described their approach to "Rebuild the Galaxy" as a "playful celebration of all things Lego Star Wars". They’ve emphasized how the series, while being comedic, is not simply about throwing together random mashups with no thought to narrative or backstory. Rather, each change, each reimagined character or vehicle, serves a purpose within the larger narrative framework.
Take for example the transformation of Rey into "Darth Ray". This seemingly out-of-left-field choice is explained in-universe, revealing how the tragic events of the sequel trilogy might have led to a darker version of the character. Similarly, "Darth Tico" – Rose Tico, the character who embodied compassion and empathy in the sequels – emerges as a terrifying, fallen version of her former self. This reflects the complexities of choices made, and how a single tragic moment can drastically alter a character’s path.
The series also features stunning visuals, showcasing the creative freedom of using Lego bricks to completely reshape the familiar Star Wars landscape. The Jawas, known for their Sandcrawler, now pilot a beastly mashup of a Sandcrawler with the legs of a towering AT-AT. This jarring visual immediately catches the eye, but instead of being purely a whimsical design choice, the series grounds the change in a specific in-universe explanation: with the tread system failing, the Jawas were forced to adapt and build a more powerful, albeit awkward, vehicle.
"We were prepared for pushback," mentioned Benji Samit, "but to our surprise, Lucasfilm and Lego understood what we wanted to do with this special. They were open to playing with the universe, to having fun with all the characters, even the most controversial ones." This open-minded approach is evident in the series’ treatment of Jar Jar Binks. The infamous Gungan, often considered a punching bag for fans, has been transformed into a shockingly chilling "Darth Jar Jar". This unexpected twist is not just a gimmick; the writers have carefully developed Jar Jar’s backstory, hinting at a deeply troubled past that led to his descent into a powerful Sith Lord.
The series delves into existential themes as well. "Rebuild The Galaxy" doesn’t just reimagine the Star Wars universe, it forces the characters, both familiar and newly imagined, to deal with the implications of a radically altered reality. This is exemplified by the inclusion of a new character, "Jedi Bob," an enigmatic figure who hails from an even older, even more chaotic iteration of the galaxy. He warns the new generation that the universe is in a state of flux, and the old rules are no longer applicable. The message is clear: even in the face of overwhelming change, there are still choices to be made, paths to be chosen.
The writers have cleverly woven this message of uncertainty into the very core of the series, creating a compelling narrative that is relevant to both young and old. They subtly explore the concept of "playing God", not in a condemnation, but rather in a reflection of the human capacity for creating, destroying, and rebuilding. The story is both a playful romp through a new and exciting Lego Star Wars universe, but also a thought-provoking examination of the enduring impact of choices, both big and small.
What Lies Ahead: The Future of "Rebuild The Galaxy"?
The writers have expressed a strong desire to continue the "Rebuild the Galaxy" story, stating that the four-part miniseries is only the tip of the iceberg. They hint at expansive storylines, unexplored characters, and a galaxy ripe with potential for further exploration and reimagining.
"There’s a lot more characters that obviously don’t show up in this that we love, and it would be amazing to be able to keep doing this," said Samit. While there are no official confirmations, the open-ended nature of "Rebuild The Galaxy" leaves the door open for future installments, potentially exploring different timelines, alternate realities, and even introducing completely new interpretations of beloved Star Wars characters.
"Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy" is poised to be more than just a fun, animated romp. It promises to be a daring exploration of the Star Wars universe, utilizing the limitless potential of Lego bricks to reshape the familiar and create something truly unique. The series will not only entertain but also provoke thought, challenging viewers to consider the possibilities of alternate histories, hidden destinies, and the enduring power of choices made in a galaxy far, far away. With the premiere looming on Disney+ in September, "Rebuild The Galaxy" is poised to shake things up, leaving both fans and newcomers pondering the possibilities of a brick-built multiverse.
