‘WRITING Star Wars’ Panel at MEGACON Orlando 2026

Between the movies and the TV shows lie countless comic books and novels tying everything Star Wars together. This year at MEGACON Orlando a few comic and novel writers gave us a glimpse behind the curtain at this ever changing galaxy.

As a late Star Wars bloomer, who truly fell hard once I watched the cartoons and started reading the novels, this was an amazing panel! It featured Heather Antos, Timothy Zahn, Claudia Grey, and Jason Aaron.

Grand Admiral Thrawn

Timothy Zahn is responsible for 2 Thrawn trilogies. A Legends one (meaning non canon), and a canon one. So we have him to thank for giving us Grand Admiral Thrawn. Zahn told us how he saw ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ about 16 times in theaters the year it came out. He then told us how writing Star Wars was a dream he didn’t know he had, because at the time (in the 80s) it wasn’t a thing.

When asked about creating Thrawn he explained he wanted someone who was different, but could inspire loyalty. Someone who was a tactical strategist, as well as a genius, but a leader who also listens. Thereby inspiring those below him to want to follow. If you only know Thrawn through Star Wars: Rebels, or the Disney+ Ahsoka show, I cannot recommend the new trilogy enough! They made me absolutely fall in love with him. Also, any fellow Disney adults out there will get a kick out of where the second book takes place.

*If you don’t have time to read the novels, there is a comic book series that sums them up very well. Check out the review for the first comic: Thrawn Alliances #1

These Star Wars stories are so much more than filler

Honestly this entire panel was so engaging, informative, and entertaining. So as to not make this article insanely long, here are some highlights I loved hearing.

All four of these writers are truly fans first, and it showed in their enthusiasm, as well as it does in their work. Jason Aaron mentioned he writes comic stories he feels Star Wars needs. He doesn’t just want to entertain, he wants to build this galaxy where it needs growth. Meanwhile Claudia, who helped make the High Republic and created the Nihil, explained how she views Yoda as a political bureaucrat by the time we get to the prequels. Showing just how different that High Republic era was, and how it all changed. The Nihil was created to cause conflict during this time of peace.

Claudia also talked about how Luke wasn’t the only one who learned Vader was his father, yet we never saw Leia grieve. Only Luke. Even though Vader also blew up her entire planet with the only parents she knew, on it. Well, Claudia explained how she fixed that with her novel Bloodlines. Which I immediately then went and bought from her.

Check out a review for a STAR WARS novel: Phasma

Keeping Star Wars consistent

In keeping this galaxy contained and consistent, there are some rules they have to follow. Especially the further along we get. Sometimes there are limits on what they can do with Vader, and sometimes certain characters are completely off limits. They also have a “story group” now which helps keep stories, planets, characters, and more, consistent.

There’s more to Star Wars than just wars

We wrapped with some fun questions. When asked what characters they would want to write, Zahn mentioned he’d love to see a story told about Obi-Wan right after dropping baby Luke off on Tattooine. He believes that Obi-Wan would have traveled the galaxy to throw off the empire before settling down and becoming Old Ben. Meanwhile Jason said, “Ewoks.” While, Heather mentioned a story about Obi-Wan and Satine which the audience enthusiastically agreed with.

Another fun question was what jobs they each might have if they lived in the Star Wars galaxy. Claudia wants to be Lando Calrissian’s cape designer, Jason believes he’d be dead, Heather wants to be a Jawa, and Zahn wants to join Talon Karrde. He smuggles info and Zahn wants to be in the know!

Go to the smaller panels at conventions

I absolutely LOVE how these Star Wars writers are flushing out stories and characters, and making the entire galaxy so much richer. If you haven’t already, grab some Star Wars novels and comics! It will make you fall deeper in love with all things STAR WARS.

For more from Lauren, check out ‘Hops GEEK News.’

What’s your favorite Star Wars novel or comic?