A thread similar to the ‘Shadows Of The Empire | Lucasfilm’s mid-to-late 1990’s EU multimedia project’ 2021 info / discussion.
And the ‘Clone Wars | Lucasfilm’s 2002-2007 EU multimedia project’ 2020 info post + Genndy Tartakovsky’s 2003 Clone Wars.
Plus the ‘Republic Commando | Lucasfilm’s 2004-2009 EU multimedia project | lore retcon #2,378’ 2024 info thread.
About ‘The Force Unleashed’…
'Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a 2008 multimedia project created by LucasArts, in collaboration with Dark Horse Comics, Del Rey, LEGO, Hasbro Inc., and Palace Press.
It was originally slated for release in 2007, and billed as “the Expanded Universe multimedia event of 2007.” However, problems in game development delayed the project until 2008. The project was created with the direct input and guidance of Star Wars creator George Lucas.
Similar to Shadows of the Empire over a decade earlier and Clone Wars a few years earlier, it features products across different lines, all covering the same story. This includes two games, a game guide, a novel, a graphic novel, a toy line, a reference book, a Miniatures set, and a roleplaying-game supplement.
A sequel to the video game, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, was announced during Spike’s 2009 Video Game Awards. The video game, as well as an accompanying novel and graphic novel, were all released in October 2010.’
^ from https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Force_Unleashed
As of July 2009, TFU had sold six million copies. The Force Unleashed was both the fastest-selling Star Wars game and LucasArts’ fastest-selling game at that time. The Force Unleashed also won a Writers Guild of America award for Best Video Game Writing.
‘The new game, known by many simply as The Force Unleashed, is the first Star Wars game to be considered by Lucas an actual chapter in the overall story line…’ - CNet article link from 2009
The Story…
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed tells the story of Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, code-named “Starkiller” but born Galen Marek, as he hunts down the remaining Jedi after Emperor Palpatine orders them killed. Set between Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV – A New Hope, the story explores the aftermath of the Great Jedi Purge as well as the rise of Darth Vader.
The events of The Force Unleashed are “pivotal” in Darth Vader’s history and development as a character and offer illumination into other characters from A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. The game explores themes of redemption and self-sacrifice; aside from hunting Jedi, Starkiller helps build the Rebel Alliance on Vader’s orders, who plots to overthrow the Emperor, but eventually comes to truly believe in the Rebel cause and sacrifices himself to save the Alliance’s leaders from the Empire, who honor him by adopting his family’s crest as their symbol.’
^ from obligatory Wikipedia page - for more info on The Force Unleashed multimedia project.
George’s involvement in The Force Unleashed project… (also see the ‘Reference Book’ section below for more information)…
“The Force Unleashed: Behind the Scenes - George Lucas Involvement” - a 6 minute video at the Callum Johns youtube channel.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Production Diaries - insightful article from 2007, at StarWars•com (via The WayBack Machine)
The Force Unleashed: Co-Star Evolution - a character article from 2007, at StarWars•com (via The WayBack Machine)
The Force Unleashed - official website - at LucasArts (via The WayBack Machine)
George Lucas ushers in ‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed’ - article at CNet, from 2009.
Will ‘Force Unleashed’ be the next ‘Star Wars’ film? - article at The LA Times, from 2008.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – The Most Ambitious Star Wars Game Ever Made - article at Den Of Geek, from 2018.
Why Star Wars: Force Unleashed’s Rebel Origin Story Still Matters - article at ScreenRant, from 2022.
Author Sean Williams took on the writing project in part because of the ‘catchy description’ of The Force Unleashed being “Episode 3.5” of the Star Wars saga, and that TFU was…
‘The first Star Wars game to be considered by Lucas an actual chapter in the overall story line’.
The Force Unleashed was originally slated for release in November 2007 - as part of Star Wars 30th anniversary celebrations, but was delayed to the spring of 2008, and then later delayed again to that summer. The final version of the game was released on September 16, 2008.
Why Force Unleashed’s Starkiller Wields His Lightsaber So Differently - article at ScreenRant, from 2022.
How many apprentices has Darth Vader had? - article at We Got This Covered, from 2022.
Every Apprentice Darth Vader Had In Both Legends And Star Wars Canon - article at Wiki Of Nerds, from 2021.
Ahsoka Tano isn’t the only apprentice to Darth Vader - article at Hidden Remote, from 2021.
5 Reasons Why Ahsoka Tano is Vader’s Most Powerful Apprentice (& 5 Reasons Why It is Starkiller) - article at CBR, from 2020.
I find it quite interesting the parallels and contrast with Anakin/Vader’s two apprentices - Starkiller & Ahsoka - and also how they diverged. From Starkiller being wiped from canon in 2014 (despite George’s involvement in the project and also considering it part of the Star Wars Saga storyline), with a then off-screen apprentice of Anakin not previously mentioned on the big screen - and retconned into the Clone Wars timeline: Ahsoka (live action series) - general discussion thread
^ the Ahsoka series is in 2023, with prior appearances in The Clone Wars (both 2008 film & 2008 series), Rebels, Ep IX: The Rise Of Skywalker (voice), The Mandalorian, Book Of Boba Fett, Tales Of The Jedi, Galaxy Of Adventures, and Forces Of Destiny etc.
Some early concept art for The Force Unleashed…
More TFU Art, by Amy Beth Christenson & Stephen Chang, can be found in the following Lucas Arts Memory twitter thread:-
https://twitter.com/LucasArtsMemory/status/1306182968889749505
The video game…
'Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is an action-adventure game developed by LucasArts and part of The Force Unleashed multimedia project. It was initially developed for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360 consoles and on iOS, second-generation N-Gage, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, and Java-equipped mobile phone handhelds.
The game was released in North America on September 16, 2008, in Australia and Southeast Asia on September 17, and in Europe on September 19’.
^ from the obligatory Wikipedia page for TFU video game: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Force_Unleashed
Star Wars official website page for TFU: www.starwars.com/games-apps/star-wars-the-force-unleashed
GameFAQs page for The Force Unleashed: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/xbox360/933156-star-wars-the-force-unleashed
‘Ultimate Sith Edition’ info: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Force_Unleashed:_Ultimate_Sith_Edition
The Force Unleashed - Trailer… (E3 in 2007)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhO2t9I_Olo - a 2 minute video at the IGN youtube channel
The Force Unleashed - Launch Trailer
www.youtube.com/watch?v=49beQOa--Jc - a 2+ minute video at CGR Trailers youtube channel.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008) DS vs PSP vs PS2 vs Wii vs Switch vs PS3 vs XBOX 360 vs PC…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxU6SxNbYFg - an 8 minute video at the Group M Pro youtube channel.
‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 1 | Gameplay Walkthrough - FULL GAME | HD 60FPS | No Commentary’…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE_Qs4J3Mak - a 3.5 hour video at the Full Playthroughs youtube channel.
‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Cutscenes (Game Movie) 2008’…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2xaoHSOhVs - a 58 minute video at the iampanax youtube channel.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Ending Good/Bad - in HD
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hcg1DarMEk - an 8 minute video at the truthyat youtube channel.
The Force Unleashed had THE BEST DLC | FLANDREW
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kscVyJ7EIlQ - a 10 minute video at the Flandrew youtube channel.
Reviews…
• www.shacknews.com/article/88092/star-wars-the-force-unleashed-a-shacknews-retrospective
• www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/15/star-wars-the-force-unleashed-review-2
• https://mynockmanor.com/video-game-review-the-force-unleashed
• www.hookedgamers.com/x360/star_wars_the_force_unleashed/review/article-257.html
• www.eurogamer.net/star-wars-the-force-unleashed-preview
• https://arcadiapod.com/2022/01/20/review-star-wars-the-force-unleashed-2008
• www.wired.com/2008/09/force-unleash-1
• www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/star-wars-the-force-unleashed
OriginalTrilogy•com discussion threads on The Force Unleashed game…
• The original Force Unleashed is the best Star Wars game (2022 thread)
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed? (2007 thread)
• The Force Unleashed is true to the F.U. part (2008 thread)
• No KOTOR 3 because of the force unleashed? (2007 thread)
In 2022 ‘The Force Awakens’ was released for the Nintendo Switch…
www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-force-unleased-nintendo-switch-announced
The Force Unleashed - Launch Trailer - Nintendo Switch
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3KjOdV5LQQ - a 1 minute video at the official Ninentdo of America youtube channel.
The novel…
Sean Williams’ novelization was released on August 19, 2008 - and reached #1 on both Publishers Weekly’s and The New York Times’ hardcover fiction bestsellers lists.
Williams took on the writing project in part because of the ‘catchy description’ of The Force Unleashed being “Episode 3.5” of the Star Wars saga:-
“Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Making the Novel” - article from 2008, at StarWars•com (via The WayBack Machine)
More info can be found here at Wookieepedia: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/The_Force_Unleashed_(novel)
and at Amazon (for info only): www.amazon.co.uk/Force-Unleashed-Star-Wars-Book-ebook/dp/B00MLDU10S
and at www.samsykes.com/2008/08/the-force-unleashed-unleashed-at-last
The comic…
‘Revealed here are the origins of Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, the deadly missions on which he was sent to track down and destroy Jedi, and the awesome decision he is forced to make that will, literally, change the way you look at the Star Wars saga!’
^ from Dark Horse Comics (the publisher)
Wookieepedia info page for The Force Unleashed comic book
The Soundtrack…
Jesse Harlin composed the game’s main theme, while Mark Griskey composed the score. Griskey made use of several motifs from the film scores as well as Harlin’s main theme.
The 90-minute soundtrack was recorded by the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra and mixed at Skywalker Sound in Lucas Valley in September and October 2007. A promotional soundtrack album was made available online through Tracksounds in 2008:-
“The Force Unleashed by Mark Griskey” - article at Tracksounds (via the WayBack Machine).
For more info: www.discogs.com/release/3302081-Mark-Griskey-John-Williams-Star-Wars-The-Force-Unleashed-Original-Score
Various fan-made soundtracks for TFU have appeared online, such as:-
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40B097895729B614 & www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0smL-Kfec7TaoPNSKWUO1pS6MnMSC96k
The soundtrack cover art shown above is fan-made, by JT00567, at DeviantArt.
The toy line…
The Force Unleashed: A Star Wars Collecting Story - a 2019 article (and above image) from Bantha Skull.
^ from www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Collection-Unleashed-Stormtrooper/dp/B003JJRK5C
Lego’s ‘Rogue Shadow’ ship:-
The obligatory Wookieepedia Page for the toy line of The Force Unleashed.
The role playing game…
‘The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide is a Wizards of the Coast supplement of the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Saga Edition. In addition to covering the story of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, it also includes a plethora of information of the years between Star Wars: Episode III and Star Wars: Episode IV’
&
“Before the Dark Times. Before the Empire”…
‘From the ashes of the Republic rises the dread Galactic Empire. The Sith hold the fate of the galaxy in their iron grasp, and the Rebel Alliance is still years away from formation. In these dark times, is there any force that can challenge the tyranny of the Empire?’
^ from https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/The_Force_Unleashed_Campaign_Guide
Amazon page (for info only): www.amazon.co.uk/Force-Unleashed-Campaign-Guide-Roleplaying/dp/0786947438
The miniatures game…
‘The Force Unleashed is a Star Wars Miniatures set that was released on November 16, 2007 - covering the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed multimedia project. It consisted of sixty figures, all boosters, including fifteen game characters and ten huge figures.’
^ from https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/The_Force_Unleashed_(Star_Wars_Miniatures)
The reference book…
‘The Art and Making of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed’…
‘Originally titled “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Art of the Game” is a book featuring the pre-production art of The Force Unleashed video game. This behind-the-scenes book delves into the origins of the game concept, including discussions with George Lucas about the place of the game within the Star Wars canon and “outtake” game concepts and art, wrapping with chapters on the innovative technology that went into the game design. It contains a foreword by Hayden Christensen and is authored by Haden Blackman, the project lead.’
^ from The Art & Making of TFU: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/The_Art_and_Making_of_Star_Wars:_The_Force_Unleashed
and at Amazon (for info only): www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Making-Star-Wars-2008-08-19/dp/B01FGL580E
“This unique volume is rife with lush imagery, including concept artwork, three-dimensional renders and behind-the-scenes photos. This new game, overseen by George Lucas, will feature technological innovations in digital physics, visual effects and artificial intelligence, while readers will learn the innermost secrets of game design. Fans of the Star Wars saga will be taken on a tour into previously uncharted territory and introduced to worlds, characters and vehicles new to the galaxy far, far away.”
^ StarWars•com post: https://web.archive.org/web/20070225122402/https://www.starwars.com/eu/lit/ref/news20070222.html
‘George Lucas approved of Shaak Ti’s canonical death in The Force Unleashed: Making Of Star Wars - The Force Unleashed’:-
https://twitter.com/BenSkywalker3/status/1101603925264949248
About… The Force Unleashed II
‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II is an action-adventure video game developed and published by LucasArts. It is the second installment of The Force Unleashed multimedia project, and the sequel to Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008). The game was released in the United States on October 26, 2010, in Australia on October 27, and throughout Europe on October 29 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii consoles, as well as Windows and the Nintendo DS and iOS portable devices.’
^ from the TFU II Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Force_Unleashed_II
Wookieepedia: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Force_Unleashed_II#Star_Wars:_The_Force_Unleashed_II
The Story…
'The Star Wars Saga continues with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, the highly anticipated sequel to the fastest-selling Star Wars game ever created, which has sold more than seven million copies worldwide. In Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, the world was introduced to Darth Vader’s now fugitive apprentice, Starkiller — the unlikely hero who would ignite the flames of rebellion in a galaxy so desperately in need of a champion.
In the sequel, Starkiller returns with over-the-top Force powers and embarks on a journey to discover his own identity and to reunite with his one true love, Juno Eclipse. In Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, Starkiller is once again the pawn of Darth Vader — but instead of training his protégée as a ruthless assassin, the dark lord is attempting to clone his former apprentice in an attempt to create the Ultimate Sith warrior. The chase is on — Starkiller is in pursuit of Juno and Darth Vader is hunting for Starkiller.
With all-new devastating Force powers and the ability to dual-wield lightsabers, Starkiller cuts a swath through deadly new enemies across exciting worlds from the Star Wars movies — all in his desperate search for answers to his past.’
^ from the official Star Wars website: www.starwars.com/games-apps/star-wars-the-force-unleashed
Some of the production issues with TFU II, the short 9 month production window, and issues at LucasArts…
Force Unleashed II’s main man quits - article at EuroGamer, from 2010.
LucasArts axes 30% of staff (85 staff gone, around 60 in frontline development) - article at Metro, from 2010.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II - What Happened? - a 17 minute video from the Matt McMuscles youtube channel, from 2022.
LucasArts: closed by Disney, but killed by Star Wars? - article at The Grauniad, from 2013.
The Demise of LucasArts - article at Same Page Team, from 2013.
How LucasArts Fell Apart - article at Kotaku, from 2015.
Fall Of The Empire: How Inner Turmoil Brought Down LucasArts - article at Game Informer, from 2015.
Some concept art for TFU II…
More concept art can be found the superb Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II - by Trizophenie, Simply Simon website.
TFU II - the video game…
‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II is an action-adventure video game developed and published by LucasArts. It is the second installment of The Force Unleashed multimedia project, and the sequel to Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008). The game was released in the United States on October 26, 2010, in Australia on October 27, and throughout Europe on October 29 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii consoles, as well as Windows and the Nintendo DS and iOS portable devices.’
^ from the Wikipedia page for TFU II video game: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Force_Unleashed_II
The game takes place approximately six months after the events of the first game, and a year before the film A New Hope. The Force Unleashed II is described as the “dark entry” in the series, and a more personal story for the game’s protagonist than the first game. Players control a clone of Starkiller, the first game’s protagonist and Darth Vader’s secret apprentice who sacrificed himself after helping to form the Rebel Alliance. Vader’s attempts to breed a perfect apprentice from the original Starkiller’s DNA leads to the creation of the clone who, possessing his predecessor’s memories and realizing he will similarly be betrayed, escapes Vader. While on a quest across the galaxy to understand his identity and escape from Vader’s influence, Starkiller becomes caught in the war between the Alliance and the Galactic Empire.
GameFAQs page for TFU II: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/xbox360/981370-star-wars-the-force-unleashed-ii
Star Wars official website page for TFU II: www.starwars.com/games-apps/star-wars-the-force-unleashed-ii
LucasArts page for TFU II: https://web.archive.org/web/20110201101351/http://www.lucasarts.com/games/theforceunleashed2
Wookieepedia page for TFU II: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Force_Unleashed_II
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II E3 Trailer
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gclxgy2A_M - a 4+ minute trailer at the LucasArtsVideos youtube channel.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 Launch Trailer
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n6UaBj-OQw - a 3 minute trailer at the LucasArtsVideos youtube channel.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II - Snow Trailer HD
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h8HAT4tLyU - a 36 second trailer at the Strona Mocy youtube channel.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 | Gameplay Walkthrough - FULL GAME | HD | No Commentary
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIToV46tZs - a 3 hour video at the Full Playthroughs youtube channel.
The Force Unleashed 2 - Every console is different
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FPfFLHNclg - a 7 minute video at the Gavin Mannion youtube video.
STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED 2 - 4K All Cutscenes (Game Movie)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UVQxZvFZKw - a 78 minute video at the Gamer’s Little Playground youtube channel.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 - Dark Side Ending
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDlH8jFp6vI - a 6 minute video at the MichaelXboxEvolved youtube channel.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 - Light Side Ending
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc_z-4w25ng - a 5 minute video at the MichaelXboxEvolved youtube channel.
The Force Unleashed II: official lightsaber game accessory for the Nintendo Wii…
Some reviews for TFU II…
• www.ign.com/articles/2010/11/03/star-wars-the-force-unleashed-2-review
• www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2010/jul/12/star-wars-force-unleashed-2
• www.pcgamer.com/star-wars-the-force-unleashed-ii-review
• www.gamespot.com/reviews/star-wars-the-force-unleashed-ii-review/1900-6283358
• https://thatshelf.com/star-wars-the-force-unleashed-ii-review
• www.eurogamer.net/star-wars-the-force-unleashed-ii-review
• www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/star-wars-the-force-unleashed-ii
• www.metacritic.com/game/wii/star-wars-the-force-unleashed-ii
• www.empireonline.com/gaming/reviews/star-wars-force-unleashed-ii-review
OriginalTrilogy•com discussion threads on The Force Unleashed II game…
• The original Force Unleashed is the best Star Wars game - a 2022 thread
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Preview and Reviews - a 2010 thread
• The Force Unleashed II (May Contain Spoilers or Peanuts) - a 2010 thread
• Boba Fett in The Force Unleashed II sounds like Jango Fett - a 2010 thread
TFU II - the novel…
‘The Force Unleashed II is a Star Wars Legends novel by Sean Williams, based on the video game of the same name. It was first published on October 5, 2010 by Del Rey. The novel follows the events of Williams’ The Force Unleashed novelization, and it centers on Starkiller, a clone of the original Galen Marek.’
^ from the TFU II Novel wookieepedia page: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/The_Force_Unleashed_II_(novel)
The Story…
'As ruthless apprentice to Darth Vader, Starkiller was mercilessly schooled in the ways of the dark side, commanded to exterminate the last of the purged Jedi Order, and groomed for the ultimate Sith power play: assassination of the Emperor. He served without question, killed without remorse, and lost his heart without warning to beautiful Imperial fighter pilot Juno Eclipse, never suspecting that he was just a tool in the schemes of his masters—until it was too late to escape their lethal betrayal.
Juno mourned Starkiller as dead—but now he is back, purged of all memories and programmed to kill. And as fate brings Juno and Starkiller closer to reuniting, with Darth Vader determined not to lose his assassin a second time they will both have to make a stand. The prize is freedom. The punishment for failing will be eternal enslavement to the dark side of the Force.’
TFU II - the comic…
‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II is the graphic novel version of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II. Along with the book, it features the storyline of the game. It was revealed at Celebration V to be the story of the game retold by Boba Fett.’
^ from the TFU II Comic wookieepedia page: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Force_Unleashed_II_(comic)
The Story…
''The end of the story in the hugely popular game The Force Unleashed left the Star Wars galaxy poised at the brink of civil war. But before that can happen, the Emperor and his apprentice, Darth Vader, have another plan already in play.
The author of the original game, Haden Blackman, returns with a new story of treachery, deception, and the manipulation of the overwhelming power of the Force. Omar Francia, from Star Wars: Legacy and Mass Effect, is back, providing the amazing art for this original graphic novel based on the upcoming LucasArts game!‘’
About… The Force Unleashed III - and also the future…?
‘The game was to focus on Starkiller and Darth Vader teaming up to overcome a new threat from the Emperor that would have replaced Vader. Also, the game was supposed to finish Starkiller’s story.’
and
‘On February 19, 2013, Star Wars voice actor Sam Witwer said that he was open to reprise his role as Starkiller in another The Force Unleashed video game during an interview with IGN UK. He mentioned that W. Haden Blackman and him were working on a story for a third The Force Unleashed video game, what would be released for next generation consoles, (PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Wii U). However, he stated that TFU III could only be released after JJ Abrams’ The Force Awakens.
Despite this, on April 3, 2013, LucasArts’ parent company, Disney, decided to shut down the studio to reorganize the company as a licensing model, firing several employees and cancelling many of its projects, including The Force Unleashed III. On November 3, 2015, one month before the release of The Force Awakens, Blackman revealed the plot and many details of the cancelled game, like that it would have been more open-world.
On August 6, 2017, during a Twitch livestream featuring Sam Witwer, W. Haden Blackman, and David W. Collins, the three discussed the development of the first game. Blackman also gave some details on his initial ideas for The Force Unleashed III’s story. Following on from the events of TFU II, Boba Fett would follow and then shoot down the Rogue Shadow over a planet, forcing the Apprentice and Vader to team up to survive and escape. A co-op system would allow two players to play side by side as both characters. Players would not know if Vader could be trusted or not, and Fett would have been revealed to have been sent by the Emperor to stop both of them from getting off the planet because he had his own scheme in motion.
Blackman also stated that his work on TFU III did not get past the initial ideas phase as he was already planning to leave LucasArts to form his own company, Hangar 13. As far as Blackman recalls, there was not even any concept art created.’
^ from the Wookieepedia page for TFU III: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Force_Unleashed_III
Possible future for TFU…?
While The Force Unleashed franchise was rendered non-canonical following Disney’s decision to reboot expanded elements of Star Wars in April 2014. Sam Witwer, the voice actor for TFU’s Galen Marek, revealed that Dave Filoni considered bringing Marek into the new canon and with an appearance in ‘Star Wars: Rebels’ but decided against it because he could not find a way to do so without compromising either the new canon’s quality or the character’s unique distinctions.
^ from the The Force Unleashed’s Absurd Protagonist Almost Returned for Star Wars: Rebels - 2017 article at Gizmodo
Miscellaneous…
Just as an aside, something that may or may not be of interest…
Haden Blackman (possibly better known as ‘W. Haden Blackman’), the project lead of The Force Unleashed game, among many other videogames, and also authored several books and comic book as a producer at LucasArts… did this in 2005, for his ‘Star Wars: Purge’ comic book - with Vader’s helmet being broken and exposing his face, during a furious lightsaber battle against Jedi. Dave Filoni later did ‘the exact same thing in the exact same place’… for his 2014 ‘Star Wars: Rebels’ animated series story.
(I don’t think Filoni has credited or referred to Blackman’s original 2005 work on the scene, after using it in his Rebels animated series, with this time Filoni having Vader fighting Ahsoka in a furious lightsaber battle, instead).
^ from https://twitter.com/thesentinel831/status/1640276877540749312
Another re-working of Blackman’s broken Vader helmet scene was also repeated for the 2021 ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ live-action series. Though it seems many fans, and media outlets, only credited and compared it to the 2014 Rebels animated series (by Dave Filoni) - and not to the original creative Haden Blackman’s 2005 comic book:-
www.ign.com/articles/obi-wan-kenobi-darth-vader-helmet-sliced-open-rebels-ahsoka (with video comparison: Kenobi/Rebels)
https://collider.com/obi-wan-kenobi-finale-star-wars-rebels-twilight-of-the-apprentice-parallel
www.cbr.com/obi-wan-kenobi-star-wars-best-scene-disney-plus
https://screenrant.com/kenobi-vader-mask-break-rebels-return-jedi
www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/obi-wan-kenobi-darth-vader-mask-star-wars-rebels-newsupdate
www.inverse.com/entertainment/obi-wan-episode-6-theory-darth-vader-mask
https://gizmodo.com/obi-wan-kenobi-vader-duel-helmet-ahsoka-star-wars-rebel-1849102088
^ from https://twitter.com/starwarstufff/status/1539949897314607104
Star Wars: Why The Force Unleashed Would Have Made an Amazing Movie - at MovieWeb (2023)
Star Wars: 10 Ways The Force Unleashed Would’ve Made An Awesome Movie - at CBR (2021)
How The Force Unleashed ushered in a new age for Star Wars - at Nerdist (2018)
“Star Wars” lives on through videogames - at Reuters (2008)
How ‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed’ Changed Video Gaming - at Culture Slate (2022)
Making of - Star Wars: The Force Unleashed [Behind the Scenes]
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGgTrI34Dx4 - a 25 minute video at the NeoGamer - The Video Game Archive youtube channel.
^ ‘The making of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, interview with the actors and the developers of all the versions of the game.’
From the Star Wars Home Video Library #475: Limited Run Games: The Force Unleashed - “VHS”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_PswEV73cM - a 17 minute video at the Nathan Butler youtube channel.
^ This episode focuses upon the Limited Run Games PAX East exclusive “VHS” version of The Force Unleashed for Nintendo Switch.
Limited Run Games’ website for The Force Unleashed: https://limitedrungames.com/collections/star-wars-the-force-unleashed
Originally this was a thread titled: ‘JW Titus’ SW Episode III Fan Novel’. Unfortunately the link below is broken, and I am struggled to find much information at all on this fan novel, nearly 20 years later. As nobody posted in this thread, and it is obsolete… I repurposed it to be an info thread for The Force Unleashed. The original body of the thread, from October 2004, can still be read below:-
JW Titus’ Episode III Fan Novel - a link to the Revenge Of The Sith ‘spoilers section’ of TFn.
'On TFn a mysterious poster - known as JW Titus - has been earning rave reviews for his ‘work-in-progress’ Episode III Fan Novel.
Above is the link to a thread containing links to the novel. I have to admit I’m not usually into fan novels but the quality of writing pulls you in and immerses you into the Star Wars universe and gives an insight of what Episode III MAY well be like.
Hope you enjoy…’