This week has seen the focus firmly shift to Naboo and Queen Amidala as Star Wars: Queen’s Shadow and Star Wars: Age of Republic: Padmé Amidala were both released midweek. StarWars.com made sure to mark the occasion with a look at Padmé’s handmaidens and of course the queen herself in an interview with author E.K. Johnston.
StarWars.com: Do you remember your impressions of Padmé and her handmaidens when you saw Star Wars: The Phantom Menace for the first time?
E.K. Johnston: It was my 15th birthday. I went to the theater with my friend Lydia. I had no idea what was going to happen, beyond that it was Anakin’s beginning. I remember the music starting, and the crawl, and crying because we never thought we would see Episode I flash up on screen, and here it was! But the thing I remember the most is the switch being so obvious. And I was delighted. All these grown up dudes, and NONE OF THEM COULD TELL. “We are brave, Your Highness” etched itself on to my soul, and that was that.
StarWars.com: Did you pitch Lucasfilm to write a Padmé book or were you approached about writing it? I’m also curious if handmaidens, specifically Sabé, were always going to be a big part of Queen’s Shadow or if your involvement led to more handmaiden content.
E.K. Johnston: Funny story. Back in 2014, when I decided to go for it and see if I could get a Star Wars book, the series I wrote a pitch for was called “The Queen’s Hands.” So. You know.
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