expanded universe
Canon beyond original
An expanded universe is the collection of stories, characters, and settings that extend beyond an original work—usually through novels, comics, games, or other media.
Star Wars and Star Trek have sprawling expanded universes.
Such material may or may not be considered official canon: The old expanded universe was declared non-canon when Disney acquired the franchise.
Accepted authoritative works
- non-canonNot officially recognized
- spinoffDerived work from original
- sequelContinuation of prior work
- prequelLater work, earlier setting
lore · worldbuilding · mythos · backstory · timeline · retcon · crossover · saga
Amateur work using existing characters
- headcanonUnconfirmed fan-created backstory
- shippingTransporting goods to destinations
- cosplayDressing as media characters
- conventionsAccepted social practices
fan theory · wikis · forums · merchandise · collectibles · fanzines · roleplay · fanart
- alternate realitiesHypothetical divergent existences
- cosmicPertaining to the universe
- space operaDramatic sci-fi in cosmos
- galaxiesGravitationally bound stellar assemblies
starships · alien worlds · nebulae · interstellar · wormholes · hyperspace · celestial
State of being immense
- boundlessWithout any boundaries
- limitlessWithout any boundaries
- infiniteHaving no bounds
- immensityLimitless extent or magnitude
sprawling · expansive · far-reaching · ever-growing · interconnected · layered · depth · complexity
canon
Accepted authoritative works
prequel · lore · worldbuilding · mythos · backstory · timeline · retcon · crossover · saga · arc
fanfiction
Amateur work using existing characters
- headcanonUnconfirmed fan-created backstory
- shippingTransporting goods to destinations
- cosplayDressing as media characters
fan theory · conventions · wikis · forums · merchandise · collectibles · fanzines · roleplay · fanart · speculation
parallel dimensions
- alternate realitiesHypothetical divergent existences
- cosmicPertaining to the universe
- space operaDramatic sci-fi in cosmos
galaxies · starships · alien worlds · nebulae · interstellar · wormholes · hyperspace · celestial
vastness
State of being immense
immensity · sprawling · expansive · far-reaching · ever-growing · interconnected · layered · depth · complexity · richness
- franchisesfranchise, Star Wars, franchising, franchises, franchisor
- Franchise Mediafranchise, spin-off, spinoff, sequel, prequel
- media tie-insnovelization, spinoff, spin-off, prequel, film adaptations
- Tie-in novelsmovie novelizations, novelizations
- book seriestrilogy, duology, tetralogy, pentalogy, saga
- Spinoffsbackdoor pilot, derivative, offshoot, sequel series, prequel series
expand, universe, expansion, universal, expanded, expanding, expands, universality, multiverse