Why the High Republic was always planned to end and other questions
Plus: the Tempest Breaker cast revealed, talking horror and fandom, and shifting from Halloween to the festive season!
Hello there!
I’m back after a brief hiatus thanks to those last-minute changes to a project that I mentioned last week. I got the work done… but then there was another unexpected change of direction that meant I had to pretty much rip up the script and start again from scratch.
Ah, the joys of freelance life.
Sob.
Thankfully, as this week was already packed with commitments, I managed to negotiate an extra week to redraft the project, so at the moment, it’s Future Cav’s problem. Sorry, Future Cav.
Back in the present, we can finally have the questions-and-answers special I planned last week. In fact, when I put the call out on my socials I received so many questions that we’re probably be doing this for a few weeks.
As always, you can add your question to the ever-growing list by either replying to this mail, leaving a question in the comments, or using the ASK ME ANYTHING form on my website.
Here’s what you’ll find in this week’s newsletter:
- TEMPEST BREAKER CAST LIST
- NEW INTERVIEW - PART-TIME FANBOY
- QUESTION AND ANSWER SPECIAL - INCLUDING THE END OF THE HIGH REPUBLIC
- OUT THIS WEEK - STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC PHASE 2 OMNIBUS
- BOOK LIFE: MUSIC TO READ BY
TEMPEST BREAKER CAST LIST
Penguin Random House has revealed the cast list for Star Wars: The High Republic - Tempest Breaker.
- Jessica Almasy as Lourna Dee
- Pete Bradbury as Keskar
- Jonathan Davis as King Sokidharan
- Sean Kenin Elias-Reyes as Skoot
- Manoel Felciano as Tey Sirrek
- Neil Hellegers as Gabb
- Philip Hernandez as Elzar Mann
- David Lee Huynh as Renga
- January LaVoy as Muglan
- Saskia Maarleveld as Avar Kriss
- Dani Martineck as Ceret and Terec
- Sneha Mathan as Lina Soh
- Cassandra Morris as the Yacombe child
- Sonella Nankani as Keeve Trennis
- Chloe Scott as Faris Karan
- Kristen Sieh as Rhil Dairo
- Marc Thompson as Sskeer, Baron Boolan, and Marchion Ro
- Shannon Tyo as Quin
What a cast!
And there’s one name there that makes me particularly proud. My daughter Chloe makes her Star Wars debut as Padawan Faris Karen!
She is obviously a Jedi like her father before her!
(Disclaimer: I am not a Jedi, but I have recorded a cameo for Tempest Breaker. Listen to see if you can spot me when the drama comes out December 3rd!)
NEW INTERVIEW - TALKING NIGHT OF THE SLASHERS WITH THE PART-TIME FANBOY
I recently had the great pleasure of chatting on the Part-Time Fanboy podcast with Kristian Horn, where we dove into all things horror and Night of the Slashers!
We talked about my inspiration behind the series, especially my love of 80s and 90s slasher movies, and how those iconic characters – from Freddy to Michael Myers – influenced the world of Night of the Slashers. I also shared some titbits about the creative process with Night of the Slashers' fantastic artist and co-creator, Paul Fry, who, as Christian says in the conversation, brings something unexpected to the genre with his crisp, clean artwork.
Of course, our conversation ranged beyond NOTS, Christian and I waxing lyrical over our shared love of horror beyond Halloween as we reflect on the nostalgic joy of collecting horror VHS tapes back in the day. I had a blast discussing why horror means so much to us, how fandom has changed over time, and why the slasher genre just reduces to die!
You can check out the episode on the Part-Time Fanboy website or wherever you get your podcasts!
QUESTION AND ANSWER SPECIAL
Okay, let's dive into those Q&As... Brace, brace, we're going in!
WHY THE HIGH REPUBLIC WAS ALWAYS PLANNED TO END
First up is Carlos, who used my AMA form to ask:
“How do you feel now that Star Wars: The High Republic has been cancelled? Would love to know where you were when you found out it was ending!”
An interesting question, Carlos. Mainly because The High Republic HASN'T been cancelled. Far from it.
It seems a couple of people picked up on me talking about the final issue of the Marvel High Republic series (which I submitted on Friday, incidentally!) The assumption they seem to have made from my post is the High Republic has been cancelled, which couldn't be further from the truth.
Carlos asked where I was when I found out when it was ending. The answer is: Skywalker Ranch, early March 2019. That's when, according to my notes, we found out that the initiative would be running until 2025 when our story would come to an end at the end of phase 3 of the project. That was the plan from the beginning, and I can't thank the fans enough for getting us there by buying the books, comics, audios, games, and toys.
Having an endpoint was always important to us, both from a logistical and – more importantly – from a narrative point of view. We discussed it on the very first day of brainstorming back in 2018. It's right there on the whiteboard image that is constantly being referenced online, just the first random thoughts that we shot around to kickstart the process of creating what would become the High Republic.
Why was it so important to us to always have an ending planned so far in advance? Because we wanted to know where the story was heading and what the final beats would be, so every character arc and every narrative decision pointed towards that moment.
When it comes to the Marvel comic, I actually wrote a first draft of the final three pages when I started writing issue one back in 2020. They've been hidden away in a folder on my computer ever since, and I pulled them out when I finally sat down to write the final issue. Some of the dialogue had to be adapted slightly to match storytelling that had developed on the way, but Keeve Trennis' closing lines are pretty much what I wrote back then, word for word.
Of course, we've still got a way to go. Yes, I've written that last script, but there will be edits and the entire art process before the issue itself comes up next year. There is a LOT of High Republic still to come and beyond Phase 3...? Well, as we heavily hinted on the New York Comic Con, while there isn't a phase 4 (nor has there ever been one) nothing is really gone in Star Wars...
Thanks for the question, Carlos. I welcome people coming to ask me questions directly rather than just believing what they hear on YouTube videos and online, and will always do my best to answer questions asked in good faith.
THE GREAT CHEESE OFF!
On Instagram igorrrrrrr88 asked:
“Raclette or tartiflette?”
In all honesty, Ivor, I haven’t tried either, but after looking them up I a) reckon tartiflette will be more up my alley and b) I’m going to have a go at making it!
THE PROS OF CONS
On Bluesky, Chicago Force asked:
“What's your favorite thing about going to conventions?”
It’s definitely the injection of joy from people who are there because they just love geeky stuff. It’s all too easy to forget why you work in this industry when you’re at home and wading through online nonsense. Every cruel, negative jibe hits you hard (as they're designed to do.) But then you get to a con and the joy is infectious. Fandom at its best.
FAVE HIGH REPUBLIC CHARACTERS
On Bluesky, Bel asked:
“Who was your favourite character to write in The High Republic? And if you could have changed the ending of the Rising Storm, what would have happened instead?“
100% Keeve and Sskeer although both Lourna and Ty are up there too.
Can I just choose all of these:
As for The Rising Storm, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. The ending of that novel had a very specific job to do and I’m really pleased with how it landed.
FROM HAUNTS TO HOLLY
Also on Insta, Ronja asked:
“Are you ready for the holidays now that Halloween is over?”
In all honesty, Ronja, Halloween is never over for me. In my book, it’s an all-round festival, isn't that right, Sam?
Also, as I talked about in the interview with Part-Time Fanboy, spooky season in the UK includes Christmas, as we have a tradition of telling ghost stories during the Christmas season, especially on Christmas Eve!
When it comes to decorating, if my youngest had her way, we would deck the halls the house on November 1st. Personally, I ease into Christmas mid-November when I start two things:
- My festive reading
- My annual Box of Delights watch.
If you haven’t heard of The Box of Delights, it’s a Christmas classic by John Masefield that blends pure magic with a touch of the eerie and folklorish elements that, along with shows like Robin of Sherwood, helped cement my love of British folklore (due mainly to the presence of Herne the Hunter in both).
The BBC’s 1984 adaptation follows young Kay Harker, an at times hilariously rude youth, who finds himself caught up in a whimsical, wintry adventure after encountering mysterious Punch and Judy man Cole Hawlings. The old wizard, who happily announces to anyone who listens that he dates from pagan times, is played mischievously by Patrick Troughton. The second Doctor has never seemed so magical!
It’s as cheesy as cheesy can be, and some of the special effects leave a lot to be desired, but that’s part of its charm. The merest hint of the theme tune is enough to send me into a flurry of festive nostalgia.
And best of all there’s a new Box of Delights bluray boxset so our annual rewatch will never look better (although it won’t be out in time for us to watch episode one six weeks before Christmas Eve, so we’ll have to rely on my old DVD! No matter, I’ll just have to watch episode 1 twice!)
🐺 Episode 1 - Tuesday, November 19th.
🐺 Episode 2 - Tuesday, November 26th.
🐺 Episode 3 - Tuesday, December 3th.
🐺 Episode 4 - Tuesday, December 10th.
🐺 Episode 5 - Tuesday, December 17th.
🐺 Episode 6 - Tuesday, December 24th.
* because nothing says festive fun more than a schedule, obviously.
MORE KEEVE?
On Instagram, Lauren Clarke asked:
“Are we going to see any more of Keeve Trennis after phase 3 ends?”
I'll let the Doctor handle this one:
FUTURE SIGNINGS
Jayybah wanted to know:
“Can you please do a signing at Nuclear Comics?”
If I’m ever in the neighbourhood, I’d love to!
Where else would people like me to do future signings?
FREELANCE PEACEKEEPING AGENT, YES?
Chris Wing asked:
"How's the Death's Head proposal to Marvel going?"
Nothing to report yet, but I will never stop! I have plans. In the meantime, here's a shot of the Geoff Senior art that hangs on my studio wall!
STAR WARS WISH LIST
Over on Bluesky, Daniel Zarlieck asked:
“As a High Republic pioneer, what other unexplored eras from Star Wars timeline would you like to flesh out and what would that mean for you personally and for the Star Wars franchise?”
Well, if we’re talking unexplored in canon, I’d love to write something set in the Sith Empire, but most of all, I’d love to explore the post-Episode 9 era. I’ve dipped into the past of a galaxy far, far away, and would love to move forward into the future. I truly believe Star Wars needs to continue breaking new ground if the saga is going to survive.
THE PAINTBALL MENACE
Back on the gram, Flettwin asked:
“Quick! You're going paint-balling later and need 3 Star Wars characters for your team!”
- Han, obviously, because he always shoots first.
- Kylo Ren, because he would stop paint pellets before they hit.
- Chirrut Îmwe, because, hey, the guy can shoot down a TIE with a single shot!
That was fun! Thanks for all the questions! Come back next week for more.
In the meantime, don’t forget you can ask me your questions by replying to this mail, leaving it in the comments or using my ASK ME ANYTHING form.
OUT THIS WEEK: STAR WARS - THE HIGH REPUBLIC PHASE II - QUEST OF THE JEDI OMNIBUS
We are so fortunate to have these gorgeous omnibus collections of our High Republic runs. This one collects our Phase II run set on Jedha alongside The Blade by Charles Soule and an all-star team!
Writers: Cavan Scott, Charles Soule | Pencils: Ario Anindito, Andrea Broccardo, Marika Cresta, David Messina, Marco Castiello, Jethro Morales | Inks: Mark Morales | Colours: Frank William, Jim Charalampidis, Jim Campbell, Letters: Travis Lanham | Cover Art: Phil Noto
COLLECTS: Star Wars: The High Republic (2022) 1-10 & Star Wars: The High Republic - The Blade (2022) 1-4
One hundred and fifty years before the fall of Starlight, another beacon burns bright in the galaxy. Jedha. The Pilgrim Moon. The Kyber Heart. But tensions are rising in the holy city, and dark days are to come.
Jedi Vildar Mac arrives just as Jedha’s fragile peace begins to crumble. With one Jedi lying dead in an ancient shrine, another takes up the murderer’s trail. Who is using ancient Force powers on the holy city’s streets? Why are sacred relics going missing? And why do all roads lead to the Temple of the Whills?
Plus: Witness the birth of a Jedi legend! Porter Engle is perhaps the most skilled lightsaber wielder in the High Republic – a guardian of peace and justice, traveling the galaxy with his sister and fellow Jedi Knight, Barash Silvain!
BOOK LIFE: MUSIC TO READ BY
A while back I talked about my favourite writing soundtracks and playlists, and newsletter subscriber Sarah Cooley recommended the piano music of George Winston.
I must admit, I’d never heard of Winston, but since Sarah's recommendation, I’ve been listening to him A LOT, especially when reading.
His solo piano albums are marvellously melancholic and absolutely calming, perfect for curling up with a good book on a cold evening.
So far, my favourites have been Autumn and Night, although I may have snuck on December a fair few times.
Told you I start Christmas early!
Do you have favourite music/albums to read by? Let us know in the comments!
- THE JANUS STONE by Elly Griffiths
🎧 CURRENTLY LISTENING TO:
- DOCTOR WHO: REMEMBRANCE OF THE DALEKS by Ben Aaronovitch
That's all folks!
See you next week for more questions and answers!
Until next time, look after yourself and each other,
