And I doubt the author created that map. So, who did create the map? What's it's source?

I would agree that the information appearing on starwars.com gives it some authority and agree that Ilum is not Star Killer base. I'd say the starwars.com article is the best and authoritative source of information currently available and was what convinced me that Ilum is not Star Killer base.

But I wouldn't say it's canon. Even the TFA novelization isn't "canon" according to Pablo Hidalgo (meaning other authors and film makers could contradict something it introduced that wasn't in the movie).

The identity of the graphic artist who created the map isn't relevant. The text stated "near but not Ilum."

I'm going to take the official website at it's word. But starwars.com could change its mind depending on what a future film says and I'd not care a lick.

Who the graphic artist is is irrelevant - my point was that the map creation process was also vetted to some degree and someone told the graphic artist what to do and I wonder who that came from and what their process is for putting out new information. I pretty much agree with you - I'm also taking the official website at it's word, my point was just that something appearing in an article does not mean it cannot be altered by an author, film maker etc.

Sure ... But then again, why stress that it is an Ice planet full of magical jedi crystals and place it on the exact same spot on the map as Ilum, an ice planet full of magical jedi crystals....

But then why not just come out and say it's Ilum? It doesn't seem to me that Disney/LucasFilm is in the practice of cleverly revealing plot points this way or what the relevance of this plot point might be.

I have no idea about how this creative process works but I find it interesting.

Presumably Abrams or Kasdan came up with Star Killer base, so did they also decide that it was an ice planet...and hey, since it's a big weapon it's got lightsaber crystals in it too! Meaning it could be just a big coincidence.

Or maybe Abrams/Kasdan went to The Story Team or other creative people in LucasFilm and asked for a planet that could be Star Killer base and Ilum was mentioned and so they went with that....but later decided they didn't want to get rid of Ilum (though Abrams does seem to like to blow up known and named planets) because reasons...(maybe someone else was planning on using it, though it seems like the films would have precedence).

I really don't know. My point is that the creative process has a lot of flux and resulted in Star Killer base having the same profile as Ilum and being in the same part of the galaxy. Maybe they were the same planet at some point in that process.

I just don't see the need to keep this secret or not mention it if it's true. It seems like the kind of cool easter egg Pablo Hidalgo would have mentioned in the Visual Dictionary.

Or maybe Abrams/Kasdan went to The Story Team or other creative people in LucasFilm and asked for a planet that could be Star Killer base and Ilum was mentioned and so they went with that....but later decided they didn't want to get rid of Ilum (though Abrams does seem to like to blow up known and named planets) because reasons...(maybe someone else was planning on using it, though it seems like the films would have precedence).

I really don't know. My point is that the creative process has a lot of flux and resulted in Star Killer base having the same profile as Ilum and being in the same part of the galaxy. Maybe they were the same planet at some point in that process.

This would be my guess as well. Given their proximity and similarities, I think it's very possible that they at some point intended for SB to have been built out of Ilum; but at some later point (maybe after the map showing its location had already been released), they changed their minds. As to why , I can again only speculate. How much backlash was there over the canonical destruction of Corruscant, Ithor, Mon Cala / Dac and many others?

Regardless, I have a hard time believing that they're ramping up for some 'big reveal'. For one thing, Starkiller Base was destroyed; so it's not like they're going to discover a Jedi Temple there or anything. For another, there's really only a small percentage of the ticket-and-merchandise-purchasing public who has ever even heard of Ilum; much less would give a flying womprat's behind that it had been turned into Starkiller Base. I mean, I could see them putting it out there for the more invested fans, but I doubt they'd make anything even remotely approaching a big deal out of it.

Another possibility which just occurred to me: maybe they decided that they want Episode 9 to echo Episode 6 and Ilum will be turned into "Starkiller Base II which can wipe out an entire sector !!"

Ilum does fit the description. But it doesn't say it's Ilum which isn't definitive but to me it would be an odd omission if it were Ilum. And if you trust the starwars.com article and map then they marked as not the same planet.

When talking canon, aren't we obligated to consider starwars.com articles as canon?

But I wouldn't say it's canon. Even the TFA novelization isn't "canon" according to Pablo Hidalgo (meaning other authors and film makers could contradict something it introduced that wasn't in the movie).

I swear I read somewhere the TFA novelization had been based on the final script drafted before they started shooting, but that script underwent somes changes and the book had gone to print before those changes could be updated. I'm googling this as I type this but has anyone else read this?

Edit: Found the article I had read. It lists some of the biggest changes between the film and the book. You can find it here: http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-11-biggest-differences-between-the-book-and-movie-v-1749329046

Snoke is sitting in his old jedi temple on Ilum, sending off moons and minor planets in the system to destroy the new Republic and the resistance.. StarKiller base Was just Ilum light. Just wait

Snoke is sitting in his old jedi temple on Ilum, sending off moons and minor planets in the system to destroy the new Republic and the resistance.. StarKiller base Was just Ilum light. Just wait

LOL... Episode IX increases the stakes when we learn that the First Order has built Starkiller Base into EVERY PLANET.

Can Rey, Finn, and the Resistance blow up the entire galaxy before time runs out?!

Actually, I'd consider it cheap and horrible writing if they DID make Illum the starkiller base.

To each their own, I guess.

Actually, I'd consider it cheap and horrible writing if they DID make Illum the starkiller base.

To each their own, I guess.

based on what?.... This isn`t about taste at all, this is about professionalism and the actual rules of good writing. Storytelling isn`t just a game, söta bror Fred ut, kompis.

The thing about space, right, is that it's so mind mindbogglingly big that we have trouble getting out heads around it. See that few square mm that both maps have SKB and Illum?

That could be thousands of cubic light years on the map. Plenty of planetary systems could be in that space.

Don't mix reality in with my fiction...

The map is fictional.

The thing is that if we were to follow the actual rules of 3d space, two systems next to eachother on the map and in the same region or even sector on the map could by further apart than two systems on the opposite sides of the map.

This is an established fictional 2d map, not real space...

Star Wars is science fantasy and space opera, not reality, not even hard science fiction.

Ilum does fit the description. But it doesn't say it's Ilum which isn't definitive but to me it would be an odd omission if it were Ilum. And if you trust the starwars.com article and map then they marked as not the same planet.

When talking canon, aren't we obligated to consider starwars.com articles as canon?

But I wouldn't say it's canon. Even the TFA novelization isn't "canon" according to Pablo Hidalgo (meaning other authors and film makers could contradict something it introduced that wasn't in the movie).

I swear I read somewhere the TFA novelization had been based on the final script drafted before they started shooting, but that script underwent somes changes and the book had gone to print before those changes could be updated. I'm googling this as I type this but has anyone else read this?

Edit: Found the article I had read. It lists some of the biggest changes between the film and the book. You can find it here: http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-11-biggest-differences-between-the-book-and-movie-v-1749329046

I have seen it and it brings an interesting picture to what they were looking at doing and expands on areas the movie did not.

Regarding the Novelization being Cannon. It is Cannon and the thing that Pablo was referring too was that scenes that directly conflict with the Movie. The Movie will always be the Official version in those cases. Mostly that comes down to specific lines more than anything else.

Actually, I'd consider it cheap and horrible writing if they DID make Illum the starkiller base.

To each their own, I guess.

based on what?.... This isn`t about taste at all, this is about professionalism and the actual rules of good writing. Storytelling isn`t just a game, söta bror Fred ut, kompis.

Reusing instead of inventing is sloppy and lazy.

Especially in Star Wars, where it has almost been epedemic in use for the last 30 years.

Star Wars has always been about reusing old ideas in new ways, even the original film borrowed heavily from other films and stories.

The best Star Wars movies did this, it was when George tried to get original (especially with Episode I) that things were at their worst. For some reason the movies and TV shows excel the more they reference earlier events, places, and characters. It could be because it grounds the story in its familiarity and makes the universe feel more real.

Regardless, I have a hard time believing that they're ramping up for some 'big reveal'. For one thing, Starkiller Base was destroyed; so it's not like they're going to discover a Jedi Temple there or anything. For another, there's really only a small percentage of the ticket-and-merchandise-purchasing public who has ever even heard of Ilum; much less would give a flying womprat's behind that it had been turned into Starkiller Base. I mean, I could see them putting it out there for the more invested fans, but I doubt they'd make anything even remotely approaching a big deal out of it.

This. I had to quote this because I was thinking this exact thing while reading this thread. I know many people who are not SW fans, or have not even seen all previous movies, and they went to see Force Awakens, because it was one of the biggest and most hyped movies of the winter. And most liked it. I think that's exactly what disney wants. To be honest, I think that hardcore SW (people who have seen all movies and series, read comics and books, etc) fans are fairly small target audience. And that HC fan base is that small audience who may care if Ilum is SKB, or even know what Ilum is/was. Honestly, I think 99% people who saw Force awakens couldn't care less about fate of Ilum, at least after TFA was so much closer to OT than PT. They went to see entertaining movie and largely got what they wanted.

Also, I think that Kyla is right, and Disney/Lucasfilm hasn't yet decided the fate of Ilum. And I think the fate of Ilum will be one of the smallest concerns for people who have power to make that kind of decisions.

Good thing is that from RPG point of view, all options can be true.

I know it is scale and that the Galaxy is enormous! But come on, this is also fiction! From a writing and storytelling perspective, there is absolutely NO REASON to place the planet and base origin point on the exact same visible location on the map if they are not trying to tell us something. And I don`t think that the fact that they said it was "close to Ilum" excludes the possibility that it still could be Ilum, it could also be a hint and/or a way to confuse us.

There are two simple reasons for not being Ilum while being super close to Ilum. Super-Lasers are based on Kybercrystals. You don't weaponize your source of the stuff and fly it into 'battle'. You start mass-producing weapons based on kyber cristals once you aquired ilum. Remember that first order technology is now enhanced by those crystals? Even that star destroyer was using kyber-crystal weapons. Ilum might be a very important place for the first order weapon technology.

Don't mix reality in with my fiction...

The map is fictional.

The Star Wars Galaxy is the Andromeda Galaxy. How do I know this? 1. The Picture in Empire at the end is the Andromeda Galaxy. 2. ET per Steven Spielberg Said ET was from The Andromeda Galaxy and he recognized Yoda and could move stuff with his mind....

I know it is scale and that the Galaxy is enormous! But come on, this is also fiction! From a writing and storytelling perspective, there is absolutely NO REASON to place the planet and base origin point on the exact same visible location on the map if they are not trying to tell us something. And I don`t think that the fact that they said it was "close to Ilum" excludes the possibility that it still could be Ilum, it could also be a hint and/or a way to confuse us.

There are two simple reasons for not being Ilum while being super close to Ilum. Super-Lasers are based on Kybercrystals. You don't weaponize your source of the stuff and fly it into 'battle'. You start mass-producing weapons based on kyber cristals once you aquired ilum. Remember that first order technology is now enhanced by those crystals? Even that star destroyer was using kyber-crystal weapons. Ilum might be a very important place for the first order weapon technology.

Whether or not Starkiller Base is Ilum, whatever planet it is, is also the source of the crystals. They DID weaponize the source. That much they have said. So your argument is moot.

Don't mix reality in with my fiction...

The map is fictional.

The Star Wars Galaxy is the Andromeda Galaxy. How do I know this? 1. The Picture in Empire at the end is the Andromeda Galaxy. 2. ET per Steven Spielberg Said ET was from The Andromeda Galaxy and he recognized Yoda and could move stuff with his mind....

They're called the Asogians .

I know it is scale and that the Galaxy is enormous! But come on, this is also fiction! From a writing and storytelling perspective, there is absolutely NO REASON to place the planet and base origin point on the exact same visible location on the map if they are not trying to tell us something. And I don`t think that the fact that they said it was "close to Ilum" excludes the possibility that it still could be Ilum, it could also be a hint and/or a way to confuse us.

There are two simple reasons for not being Ilum while being super close to Ilum. Super-Lasers are based on Kybercrystals. You don't weaponize your source of the stuff and fly it into 'battle'. You start mass-producing weapons based on kyber cristals once you aquired ilum. Remember that first order technology is now enhanced by those crystals? Even that star destroyer was using kyber-crystal weapons. Ilum might be a very important place for the first order weapon technology.

Whether or not Starkiller Base is Ilum, whatever planet it is, is also the source of the crystals. They DID weaponize the source. That much they have said. So your argument is moot.

So the first order is basical even more stupid than usual. Ilum is gone, no question about it, there is literally no reason to assume that there is another planet full of kyber crystals right beside Ilum. Rest in pieces.

On the plus side "they said" is not a valid argument in anything which involves JJ writing. He is well known to lie about such things on purpose. It all about his empty mystery box film theory, so the planet not being Ilum could be a lie, while the planet being the source of the crystals could be a lie too. You can not trust anything. Man, I really despite JJs approach to movie making, guess it just incompatible with my interest in world building.

Simple fix: In your Star Wars universe, it's Ilum.

But, but what if I don't want it to be Ilum?!? Then what?

Simple fix: In your Star Wars universe, it's Ilum.

But, but what if I don't want it to be Ilum?!? Then what?

Simple fix: In your Star Wars universe, it isn't Ilum.

(Sorry, I just had to...)

I know it is scale and that the Galaxy is enormous! But come on, this is also fiction! From a writing and storytelling perspective, there is absolutely NO REASON to place the planet and base origin point on the exact same visible location on the map if they are not trying to tell us something. And I don`t think that the fact that they said it was "close to Ilum" excludes the possibility that it still could be Ilum, it could also be a hint and/or a way to confuse us.

There are two simple reasons for not being Ilum while being super close to Ilum. Super-Lasers are based on Kybercrystals. You don't weaponize your source of the stuff and fly it into 'battle'. You start mass-producing weapons based on kyber cristals once you aquired ilum. Remember that first order technology is now enhanced by those crystals? Even that star destroyer was using kyber-crystal weapons. Ilum might be a very important place for the first order weapon technology.

Whether or not Starkiller Base is Ilum, whatever planet it is, is also the source of the crystals. They DID weaponize the source. That much they have said. So your argument is moot.

So the first order is basical even more stupid than usual. Ilum is gone, no question about it, there is literally no reason to assume that there is another planet full of kyber crystals right beside Ilum. Rest in pieces.

On the plus side "they said" is not a valid argument in anything which involves JJ writing. He is well known to lie about such things on purpose. It all about his empty mystery box film theory, so the planet not being Ilum could be a lie, while the planet being the source of the crystals could be a lie too. You can not trust anything. Man, I really despite JJs approach to movie making, guess it just incompatible with my interest in world building.

JJ is not the one writing.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

by George Lucas

Gee he participated in its writing...Thing is he is not in charge of the story. Story group is. And the Primary from my understanding is Lawrence Kasdan. Which is why he comes first in the writing credits.