Pablo Hidalgo is at work on an all new Essential Reader’s Companion, but he had the time to send an interesting behind the scenes note to Star Wars Books regarding an early premise for the New Jedi Order series.
The story arc was to very closely hew to the myth structure of the Hero’s Journey as outlined by Joseph Campbell, a huge influence on the creation of the Star Wars cinematic story. With that as its basic framework, the plot underwent much evolution and exploration. Its earliest descriptions had Luke Skywalker sending the three Solo children on an epic quest, upon which they encounter a new female character from the invading species sent to infiltrate the galaxy. This unnamed female corrupts Anakin, nearly turning him to the dark side, but she falls in love with him and Anakin instead redeems her. In a fit of intense sibling rivalry, Jacen and Jaina turn on Anakin, and in the resulting conflict, Jacen dies.
You know. I think I might have preferred this setup to what we got. The undercurrent of redemption plays much more true to the philosophy and tone of Star Wars, and this would have been a clear passing of the torch to the next generation.
Seems like they recycled some of that in the latest series with Ben and Vestara; except she did not get turned. Interesting that so early they had planed on Jacen dying. I was never a fan of him.
Redemption = good. Killing siblings = bad.