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When you hear about characters such as Boba Fett and Darth Vader, you probably consider them top-tier Star Wars characters. What if they're actually just fine, and extremely overrated?

Brace yourself, as there are some hot takes ahead as we break down the five most overrated characters in the Star Wars franchise!

Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters. Marvel Comics. Boba Fett. Image Credit: StarWars.com 1. Boba Fett

Boba Fett has an interesting out-of-universe Star Wars history. He first appeared as an animated character in the infamous 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special, then went on to appear in the final two movies of the Original Trilogy. He also appeared in the prequels, in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and got his own show, The Book of Boba Fett, in 2021.

In-universe, Boba Fett is just okay. Like Darth Vader, he is often brought back in comics as a display of unmatched,...

Luke Skywalkeractor Mark Hamill has weighed in on one prominent Star Warstheory about Luke that has been ongoing for decades, and his response really is perfect. Luke Skywalker is undoubtedly one of Star Wars' best characters, and he remains among the most beloved characters in all Star Wars movies and TV shows, for good reason. In many ways, Luke represents the core themes of the franchise, and that is clearly something Hamill has taken to heart, which is clear in one fascinating interview.

In a video posted by Star Wars Explained on TikTok, Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill discussed the long-standing theory that Luke Skywalker could be gay, and his response was truly perfect. Among several other insightful comments pertaining to this idea, Hamill said, "It's a universe of acceptance and unification. It's helping others less fortunate than yourself. It's acts of selflessness, of caring and sharing. To me, that...

Okay. I’m likely going to get salty in this article. Warning you upfront. Disney is now trying to use Mara Jade to make some money. This is coming across as a desperate attempt to cash in on a fan base they flushed down the toilet when they bought Lucasfilm and made their sequel trilogy.

Who is Mara Jade?

For those who don’t know, Mara Jade is was a major character in the Expanded Universe. She was the Emperor’s Hand in the first sequel books back in the early 1990s. The books that everyone wished Disney would have used for the sequel trilogy – Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command.

Later on she became Luke Skywalker’s wife. A Skywalker who actually got the name legitimately.

Mara Jade was a powerful, important, and popular character for years until Disney decided to flush all of it.

March is Women's History Month, and it would be quite easy to write love letters to my favorite Star Wars heroes of the female persuasion. Princess Leia, Mon Mothma, Mirax Terrick and Iella Wessiri were my adolescent heroines. It can't be denied that some of the most interesting characters in Star Wars Legends media came from the bad girls, so I'd like to pause and pay homage to those characters.

Here are the top 5 female villains from Star Wars Expanded Universe.

1. Ysanne Isard (X-wing series)

First appearing in Michael Stackpole's X-wing: Rogue Squadron, Ysanne "Iceheart" Isard stood out from your run-of-the-mill Imperials. It wasn't just about her looks, though this was a woman with one molten red eye and one blue and white forelocks. She was calculating and cruel and seemed to be unstoppable.

Having implicated her own father as a Rebel sympathizer in order to take his place as the head of Imperial Intelligence,...

With the word that Kathleen Kennedy may be retiring from Lucasfilm, the key question is, what is happening to Star Wars now?

Kathleen Kennedy can be a divisive figure, to say the least, for Star Wars fans. And given this is one of the most infamously divisive fandoms in the world, that's saying something. 

Since Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, Kathleen Kennedy has been the boss and guiding force for the various franchises. It led to Star Wars hitting new heights in both theaters and TV screens and the merchandising a boon for Disney. Under Kennedy, we've gotten Andor, The Mandalorian, Galaxy's Edge, and a spark of life the franchise long needed.

At the same time, Kennedy has become the target of scorn and derision by some parts of the fandom. It's ranged from the quality of the sequel trilogy to reports of her clashes with various writers and directors that...

Over the past decade, many Star Wars fans have been waiting for Lucasfilm to bring more Legends (or Expanded Universe) characters into the current canon. They've already done this with Grand Admiral Thrawn -- in books, animated series, and live-action. Could they do this soon with more characters like Mara Jade?

According to a new rumor, Lucasfilm could be working on a new show focused on Mara Jade. The character first appeared in Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire book trilogy and went on to appear in dozens of other books after that. The character remained a vital part of others' stories even after her untimely death.

When Disney acquired Lucasfilm and its intellectual properties, the decision was made to end the then-current continuity of storytelling in the "Expanded Universe," and begin a new continuity labeled Canon. This meant that everything but the films -- books, video games, comics,...

With all of the Star Wars media out there, it's challenging to keep track of where stories and their characters had their origins. This is especially true when the Disney-era series introduces familiar faces in an unfamiliar context. Thanks to one fan, we can enjoy the original version of the tactical genius Grand Admiral Thrawn via YouTube.

What is Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn?

Timothy Zahn's 1991 novel, Heir to the Empire, was not the first sequel to the stories of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia. Alan Dean Foster sent Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa to Mimban in 1978's Splinter of the Mind's Eye. Marvel Comics adapted the first film into a comic, then continued the stories of the "Star Warriors."

With Zahn's book, we picked up the story of our heroes five years after their victory at Endor and saw how life went on, but peace wasn't easy.

Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire trilogy introduced readers to Mara Jade, a deadly operative once known as the Emperor’s Hand. She worked in secret for Palpatine, carrying out his most dangerous missions.

During Return of the Jedi, she was inside Jabba the Hutt’s palace with orders to kill Luke Skywalker. But when things spiraled out of control, she never got the chance.

After Palpatine’s fall, Mara lost everything and blamed Luke for it. Fueled by anger and a final command from her master, she spent years hunting him. But things took an unexpected turn when she uncovered the truth—Palpatine had manipulated her mind.

Related: 15 Best Star Wars Legends Books, Ranked

She eventually rejected his influence, striking down Luuke, a clone of Luke Skywalker created by Dark Jedi Joruus C’baoth. From there, her path changed, and she embraced the way of the Jedi.

In the old Legends timeline,...

Maybe we should've seen it coming, but still, I did not have 'William Shatner stokes flames of a Star Wars fan fight' on my 2025 bingo card. Shatner, the man who helped make Star Trek what it is today, has always been a bit of a sarcastic man. He's had a lot of fun with social media since its inception and he can spend hours a day tweeting, reading, and replying to fans all over the world.

Usually, his takes on subjects are nuanced and informed. Other times he's just being a sarcastic goof, but once in a while, as we all fall into from time to time, Shatner says something head-scratching. That's what ended up happening recently when Shatner opted to talk about Star Wars and Luke Skywalker.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Shatner tweeted a Vanity Fair headline that said "'Of course' Luke Skywalker is gay, confirms Mark Hamil.

In Timothy Zahn's "Heir to the Empire" trilogy, Star Wars fans met Mara Jade and learned she was once the Emperor's Hand. Undercover in Jabba the Hutt's palace during the events of Return of the Jedi, she didn't make it onto the sail barge in time and failed to assassinate Luke Skywalker.

Palpatine's loyal soldier subsequently blamed him both for Palpatine's defeat and the fact she lost everything, prompting her to hunt Luke down years later.

Despite initially setting out to kill the Jedi, Mara ultimately realises that Palpatine planted the idea in her head at the moment of his death and embraces the idea of being a Jedi too...after ridding herself of the Sith's voice by dealing the killing blow to Luuke, a clone of Luke created by Dark Jedi Jorrus C'baoth (it's a long story).

Eventually, she and Luke marry and have children, something we know...

In 1994, I saw all three Star Wars movies for the first time in one thrilling day. The first thing I wanted to know once I'd emotionally recovered from my introduction was if we ever found out what happened next. I found Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire not long after that and breathed a huge sigh of relief that the saga continued. But even as a 13-year-old, I was disappointed from the first chapter that Luke still seemed to be single. Luckily, that didn't last forever, and it was immensely satisfying to see how he became a husband and father over the years of the Expanded Universe.

What is the Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade story?

For me, Han Solo and Leia Organa epitomized the idea that constant arguing can lead to love, but Mara Jade, a redheaded smuggler with a mysterious grudge, took it a step further. Just...

Filmmaker George Lucas is the genius mind behind the Star Wars franchise, an entirely new galaxy full of interesting and compelling characters. Several characters created by Lucas have become part of the modern pop culture zeitgeist and continue to enjoy immense relevance decades later. However, several characters have also proven extremely controversial.

George Lucas created the Star Wars franchise (Credit: Star Wars | YouTube).

One of the more controversial additions to the franchise is the inclusion of Mara Jade Skywalker, who currently falls under the Legends continuity. However, Lucas is rumored to dislike the character he did not personally create. As a result, fans will enjoy seeing Lucas have a meltdown over Mara Jade’s creation and it might prove to be the best thing you’ll see today if you are a true Star Wars fan.

George Lucas had a meltdown over Mara Jade Skywalker’s addition to Star Wars...

Quick Links From A Certain Point Of View Adds New Context to Star Wars The Cantina Sequence Is Always Seen From Luke's Perspective The Novel Attempts to Flesh Out These Background Characters Rewatching the Scene Creates a New Sense Of Understanding

The Star Wars franchise has truly benefited from its expanded material. For years, after the release of the original trilogy, fans flocked to these alternative stories, with Luke Skywalker and friends continuing their adventures in new realms and a different era. From Grand Admiral Thrawn to Mara Jade, countless original characters were brought into the mix, and after the prequel era, these Legends stories only got more ambitious. Indeed, this was a prosperous age for Star Wars, where talented authors were able to tell their own original stories from completely different perspectives. Alas, all of those tales were taken from the canon timeline when Disney took control of Lucasfilm,...

The iconic Star Wars Legends, or Expanded Universe, character Talon Karrde was the leader of the Smuggler's Alliance and a future ally of the New Republic. Karrde definitively shaped the future of the Star Wars galaxy after his first appearance. He was created by Timothy Zahn for his original Expanded Universe novel, Heir to the Empire, alongside the likes of Mara Jade and Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Well known for his smuggling antics, Karrde is a much more idealized smuggler, who was first envisioned by Zahn as what Han Solo could have been if he never joined the Rebel Alliance. He's an uncommitted smuggler who still does have a good heart, and a charm that allows him to build a community. Much like Solo, Karrde is a naturally good person it just takes him longer to come around.

Quick Links Talon Karrde's Star Wars Legends Origin How Talon Karrde Wound Up...

The new Star Wars Encyclopedia confirms a major Obi-Wan Kenobi theory, setting up the return of a major Legends Jedi. Obi-Wan Kenobi episodes 2 and 3 saw the reclusive Jedi Master head to the planet Daiyu, where the con-man Haja arranged for a Force-sensitive child to escape to the planet Corellia. Attentive viewers noticed the child's name was "Corran," and immediately suspected he was in fact the future Legends Jedi Corran Horn. New evidence supports this theory, setting up Corran Horn for canon.

The recent Star Wars Encyclopeda confirms Corran's mother is named Nyche. As noted by Numidian Prime on Twitter, this corresponds with a call-sheet from the show - and, importantly, it's the name of Corran Horn's mother in Legends. Corran Horn is one of the most important members of Luke Skywalker's Jedi Order in Legends, second only to Mara Jade in importance, making these references absolutely thrilling.

Finally official...

One seemingly impossible story in the modern Star Wars canon reveals that a Jedi Knight and a Sith Lord could befriend one another. The Jedi and Sith are, as the Star Wars franchise makes abundantly clear, ancient enemies with a long and bloody history of conflicts with each other. The first Sith Lords in both Star Wars continuities were fallen Jedi who eventually developed their own distinct culture, religious beliefs, and code of conduct, though they would appropriate and alter elements of Jedi culture, such as their use of lightsabers.

The Jedi and the Sith have fundamentally incompatible goals and views, with the Sith seeking to conquer the galaxy and impose their will and the corruption of the dark side of the Force on all systems, while the Jedi seek to serve the Force, the people of the galaxy, and democratic institutions like the Galactic Republic as protectors. The Jedi...

Warning! This post contains Spoilers for Star Wars: Battle of Jakku - Insurgency Rising #2Star Wars may have just set up a fascinating way to bring back Mara Jade into the official canon, Luke Skywalker's wife from the previous Legends continuity. Currently, Marvel Comics is releasing a brand-new and canonical Star Wars comic series set in the immediate aftermath of Return of the Jedi and the Battle of Endor. To that end, a potential door may have been opened for Mara Jade's return in this new series.

As seen in Star Wars: Battle of Jakku - Insurgency Rising #2 by Alex Segura, Leonard Kirk, and Rachelle Rosenburg, The Force called upon Luke Skywalker to retrieve an old Jedi star compass that had been held in one of Palpatine's secret observatories. However, Luke is quickly ambushed by dark-side cultists known as the Acolytes of the Beyond. Likewise, these cultists are being...

We are approaching Halloween, which started as a way to remember the dead. Star Wars is full of ways in which people honor the departed. With so many examples out there, from the Mourning Shrines that appear on Mon Cala in the Allegiance comics to the Bellassan Nine Days of Mourning from Last of the Jedi, let's look at a few and their unique benefits we might apply to our lives.

Those who join the Force

The Jedi of the Old Republic have a complex relationship with emotional relationships. Anakin says in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones that "Attachment is forbidden...but compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life." It makes sense that after the fall of Qui-Gon Jinn in the Battle of Naboo, the Jedi would allow the people of that planet to express their grief for one of...

I got into Star Wars when I was 13 and quickly discovered that no matter how many times I watched the war against the Empire, the best way to continue enjoying the franchise was to pick up a book. And I did, getting my hands on the original Thrawn trilogy and buying the third book in The Jedi Academy trilogy while waiting for a relative's flight to get in. The prequels didn't come out until weeks before my high school graduation. The book have always been a big part of my fandom.

In the spirit of October being Star Wars Reads month, here are my picks of where to start your Star Wars Book journey!

The Heir to the Empire Trilogy

Do you like The Empire Strikes Back for its battle scenes and asteroid field chases and get a lot of enjoyment from the chaos at Endor? When not watching Star Wars,...

Star Wars has always existed beyond the movies, and there have been some incredibly powerful Jedi in stories told through comics, books, video games, and more. Before 2014, the old Star Wars Expanded Universe storytelling contained all of these tales, and is now branded as Legends. While canon now takes precedence over Legends, those stories and characters are still important, especially Legends' most powerful Jedi.

When discussing this, it's important to distinguish the parameters of the list. Because the original six Star Wars movies were all part of the Expanded Universe canon as well, characters established in those films are a big part of Legends. For this list, however, only characters that completely debuted in Expanded Universe stories will be considered, meaning Luke and Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, and Mace Windu will not be considered. Otherwise, they would occupy the majority of the list. Here are the most powerful Jedi in Legends,...

Grand Admiral Thrawn has been a core part of the Star Wars universe since the 1990s, but one of his later storylines got quite a bit goofy in one specific way: his secret base. Star Wars is pretty tonally consistent across all of its movies, with even the outliers like Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and The Empire Strikes Back still having a generally consistent amount of goofiness and seriousness. The novels Specter of the Past and Vision of the Future by Thrawn creator Timothy Zahn, however, introduce one of the silliest locations in Star Wars.

During the year 19 Aby, 10 years after Thrawn's Star Wars Legends death, the New Republic's heroes wind up on the trail of something known as the Hand of Thrawn. It's revealed that the Hand of Thrawn was actually a fortress that was the headquarters of Thrawn's very own Empire of the Hand,...

This incredible Star Wars cosplay from Rose City Comic Con perfectly brings an Inferno Trooper from Star Wars: Battlefront II to life. Although the Inferno Squad hasn't made an appearance in Star Wars canon movies and TV shows, these troopers have become incredibly popular. Moreover, their absence in Star Wars' shows and movies doesn't indicate a lack of importance. Rather, the Inferno Squad became major players at key points in the Star Wars timeline, including by playing a role in Emperor Palpatine's sinister Operation: Cinder.

One Star Wars cosplayer perfectly brought the Inferno Squadron to life at Rose City Comic Con, donning the iconic trooper suit. The cosplayer, cedarlau87 on Instagram, truly does have the intimidating Inferno Trooper captured down to the last detail, including the helmet's unsettling red eyes.

It's thrilling to see this trooper from Battlefront II come to life, particularly as it reinforces how often brilliant Star...

Although Mara Jade isn't currently part of Star Wars canon, she remains a fascinating character in the franchisebut who is she really? When Disney purchased Star Wars, many books, characters, and story arcs were removed from the canon and relegated to Legends (often controversially). Disney then streamlined the franchise into Star Wars canon movies and TV shows, creating the canon Star Wars timeline.

While Disney's acquisition led to some of Star Wars' best TV shows, from Andor to The Mandalorian, this did mean a few disappointing changes. One such change was the removal of Mara Jade, Luke Skywalker's Legends wife and a powerful Force-user in her own right, from the canon. However, Legends revealed a significant amount of information about Mara Jade, which could have interesting implications for Star Wars moving forward.

Related I Know How Star Wars Can Retcon Mara Jade Back Into Luke Skywalker's Canon Star Wars...

Star Wars canon and Legends collide in this incredible concept film that sees Mara Jade and Doctor Chelli Aphra team up. The old Star Wars Expanded Universe may not be canon anymore, but the stories and characters are still so fondly remembered. Nowhere is that more true than as regards Mara Jade, once the Emperor's Hand, who ultimately became Luke Skywalker's wife. Although Legends characters like Grand Admiral Thrawn have become canon, Mara is sadly still Legends-only.

An incredible concept film in the Afk webseries imagines how Mara Jade could work in canon. Here, the Emperor's Hand crosses paths with Darth Vader's "pet archaeologist," Doctor Aphra, when the two are both sent to retrieve the same Jedi Holocron. It's an incredible two-part adventure, filled with rich humor.

Related Star Wars Movies In Order: How To Watch Release Order, Chronologically & With The TV Shows

What's the best way to watch Star Wars?...

Many viewers were disappointed that the Star Wars sequel trilogy didn't incorporate Mara Jade, but I know how the franchise could retcon her back in. The sequel trilogy was controversial among Star Wars movies and TV shows, in part because it reinforced the difference between Star Wars Legends and Disney Star Wars canon. Specifically, when Disney bought Star Wars, there was a massive shift in which characters and stories were part of the canon Star Wars timeline.

Sadly, one of the characters to be removed from canon following Disney's acquisition of Star Wars was Mara Jade, initially one of the Emperor's Hands and eventually the wife of Luke Skywalker. The sequel trilogy had the opportunity to make this character part of canon, but, unfortunately, Star Wars elected not to do so. However, that doesn't mean Mara Jade can't ever enter the canon. Rather, there is one key way Mara Jade...

Cosplayer Amanda Lynne shows just why Star Wars canon should bring back Mara Jade. Mara Jade's impactful history with Emperor Palpatine and Luke Skywalker could easily fit into Star Wars canon. Could she even fit into The Mandalorian era?

Mara Jade has yet to make an onscreen appearance in live-action Star Wars, but one cosplay is making a pretty great case for her debut. In Star Wars Legends, Mara Jade is not only Lukes wife, but a formidable Force-user herself with a fascinating backstory with Emperor Palpatine himself. Though she only exists in the now non-canon Legends, Mara Jade has made an incredible impact in the franchise, and she continues to be a fan-favorite character.

Cosplayer Amanda Lynne posted her version of Mara Jade to Instagram, talking about news of a possible spin-off movie that would revolve around Mara Jade.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Amanda Lynne...

Anakin Skywalker's iconic lightsaber went through multiple hands after Cloud City, even falling into the claws of Bossk and then Boba Fett. A Dark Jedi tried to infuse the lightsaber with the dark side, but Luke's son Ben Skywalker intervened 40 years after the Battle of Yavin. In Star Wars Legends, Mara Jade, Luke's wife, eventually received and wielded Anakin's lightsaber, leading to a very different fate from this alternate story.

One specific Star Wars story from the Star Wars Legends continuity gave audiences an incredibly unique fate for Anakin Skywalker's lost lightsaber after The Empire Strikes Back. Lightsabers are an incredibly iconic part of Star Wars, but none more than Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber. Wielded by Anakin in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and Luke in A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, the saber made a return to the screen in the sequel trilogy,...

Star Wars' best relationships go beyond canon with compelling pairs like Osha & Qimir, Asajj Ventress & Quinlan Vos, and Luke Skywalker & Mara Jade. Couples like Bail & Breha Organa, Hera Syndulla & Kanan Jarrus, and Rey & Kylo Ren show that romantic love can exist in the Star Wars universe. Han & Leia, Obi-Wan & Satine, and Luke & Mara Jade embody some of the most iconic and beloved relationships in the franchise.

Although the Jedi have a rule against attachments, Star Wars has featured a number of incredible romantic relationshipsthese 10 are the best in Legends and canon. Star Wars movies and TV shows have had romantic plotlines from the very beginning, with Han Solo and Leia's relationship being prominent throughout the original trilogy. Since then, Star Wars' best movies and Star Wars' best TV shows have introduced numerous other couples.

However, the franchise's best relationships go beyond just the canonical Star Wars timeline. Rather, Legends also had several compelling relationshipsin fact,...

Despite Madame Web's terrible critical and commercial performance, Sydney Sweeney's star remains on the rise. The Euphoria actress impressed in Anyone But You and Immaculate and has several high-profile projects on the way, including the Barbarella remake. 

For months, rumours have swirled about Sweeney potentially heading into a Galaxy Far, Far Away for a Star Wars project. Now, scooper @MyTimeToShineH (via SFFGazette.com) has claimed that she's being eyed to play a Jedi. 

We find it hard to believe that the actress will consider returning to television, so chances are this would be a movie role. Looking to the future, the Daisy Ridley-led sequel to the sequels, Dave Filoni's crossover event, and James Mangold's First Jedi story are all in the works as theatrical releases.

The Mandalorian and Grogu will be first up, of course, with Patty Jenkins' Rogue Squadron also still said to be on the way.

The Acolyte has been making headlines for weeks, though most of those have related to possible review-bombing and so-called continuity errors which somehow disrespect the wider Star Wars franchise. 

Simply put, there's an awful lot of noise out there and it's overshadowed what's shaping up to be one of the better stories told by the Disney-owned Lucasfilm. While the next few weeks will be crucial in cementing the show's legacy, there are plenty of reasons you should give The Acolyte a chance. 

In this feature, we take a deep dive into why The Acolyte is a must-watch for Star Wars fans, delving into what it does right and why many of the complaints you've heard aren't necessarily valid. Be warned that some spoilers do follow. 

You can read through this piece by clicking on the "Next"/"View List" buttons below.

5. It Expands On Existing Star Wars Lore In Important Ways...

Ki-Adi-Mundi's controversial cameo in The Acolyte sparks debate over retcon history in Star Wars lore. Jedi rules against attachments changed with Attack of the Clones, impacting Ki-Adi-Mundi's backstory. Legends retcon explains Ki-Adi-Mundi's multiple wives due to Cerean race, showcasing evolving Star Wars story.

Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi has become incredibly controversial after his cameo in The Acolyte episode 4, but he has always been subject to retcons - including one by George Lucas himself. Essentially a background character in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Ki-Adi-Mundi has never exactly had a vocal fanbase. His greatest canon achievement, in John Jackson Miller's The Living Force, is being dull enough to order a flavorless slushie - leaving the poor vendor utterly bewildered.

Remarkably, Ki-Adi-Mundi has become incredibly controversial over the last week. It's because of a debate over Ki-Adi-Mundi's age, with claims an unexpected cameo in The Acolyte was a continuity-breaking retcon. But, although...

The Star Wars Expanded Universe, known as "Legends," expanded the galaxy with books, comics, and games, introducing iconic characters. The EU was always shifting and changing based on new information from movies and TV shows, like the age of Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi. Even though not considered canon, Legends books are page-turners that shouldn't be dismissed, offering a high-quality alternate Star Wars timeline.

With Star Wars discussions surrounding The Acolyte taking over the internet, it's time to talk about what the Star Wars Expanded Universe now called "Legends" actually was and is. Over the past few weeks, lots of criticism of The Acolyte has come from Star Wars audiences concerned about changes or perceived disrespect for the Expanded Universe. Some of this seems to come from the fact that The Acolyte takes place at a point in the Star Wars timeline that was previously only relegated to books and comics.

Much...

Asajj Ventress may be taking on Mara Jade's role in Star Wars. Ventress' return with yellow lightsabers implies a shift towards the light side, potentially leading her to become a Jedi. The similarities between Mara Jade and Ventress' stories suggest that Ventress could be established as a hero in the Dark Times of Star Wars.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 3 included an incredible update on Asajj Ventress, which very well may signal that she is taking on Mara Jade's role in Star Wars. Mara Jade is no longer canon, but she remains an incredibly popular Legends character. After serving the Emperor as his assassin, Mara Jade turned away from the dark side of the Force and joined Luke Skywalker, both as his wife and as a Jedi Master in Luke's Jedi Order.

Audiences have long hoped that Mara Jade would be one of many characters who transitioned from Legends to canon,...

I vividly recall when the trailer for "Star Wars Rebels" season 3 debuted at Star Wars Celebration in 2016. When the promo unveiled Grand Admiral Thrawn -- the awesome Big Bad of Timothy Zahn's "Heir to the Empire" novel trilogy from the Expanded Universe (aka Star Wars Legends) -- as the season's main threat, it was a fist-pump moment for fans of the EU. So, naturally, when the "Rebels" panel opened up to fan questions, one brave soul told "Rebels" co-creator/showrunner Dave Filoni the thing that was on everybody's minds: Do Mara Jade next! 

Okay, they framed it as more of a query, but that was the gist.

Mara Jade, as it were, was introduced in "Heir to the Empire" as an assassin in the Emperor's Hand, a secret agent group that served Emperor Palpatine in the EU. A version of the Hand now exists is the Disney canon, but...

The Sith Eternal cult resurrected Palpatine through cloning, breaking the Rule of Two in the process. The introduction of Sith Acolytes in Star Wars lore allows for trained Sith to exist without contradicting the Rule of Two. Palpatine's Sith Eternal followers may have included non-Force-sensitive members, with some potentially redefined as Acolytes.

It's taken five years, but Star Wars finally seems to have explained Palpatine's Sith Eternal cult in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Palpatine's story would have ended in Return of the Jedi if not for his Sith cultists, the Sith Eternal, who were introduced in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Based on the Sith redoubt of Exegol, they successfully resurrected Emperor Palpatine by drawing his spirit into a clone body.

The Rise of Skywalker doesn't reveal much about the Sith Eternal, but tie-ins have established that the cult was active during the reign of the Empire,...

After Disney acquired Lucasfilm, one of their biggest creative decisions regarding the "Star Wars" franchise was to completely disregard the entirety of the Expanded Universe, opting to turn all the novels, comics, video games, and other assorted media surrounding the "Star Wars" movies into what is now known as Legends and removing them from the overall canon of the galaxy far, far away. 

However, since then, several "Star Wars" projects have brought some of the Expanded Universe content back under the canon umbrella, such as the villainous, master strategist Grand Admiral Thrawn. The character originated in the "Heir to the Empire" trilogy of novels by author Timothy Zahn, which is largely considered to be among the best "Star Wars" books ever written. 

But just because that story was relegated to Legends doesn't mean Lucasfilm is ignoring it. Not only is a version of this storyline slowly coming to fruition in...

This Mara Jade cosplay perfectly captures character's potential impact on Star Wars sequels. It even showcases Mara's trademark purple lightsaber. Sadly, Mara Jade isn't canon - and her inclusion could have prevented many of Luke Skywalker's mistakes.

One brilliant cosplay has brought Star Wars Legends Jedi Mara Jade to life, reminding audiences what could have been if Luke Skywalker's Legends wife had become canon. Mara Jade is a fascinating character, first introduced as one of Emperor Palpatine's assassins who wields the dark side of the Force. However, she ultimately joins Luke Skywalker, with the two eventually even marrying and having a son together. While Mara Jade isn't canon, the character would have had massive implications for Star Wars movies and TV shows, the sequel trilogy in particular.

One cosplayer has perfectly captured the strength and skill of Mara Jade. The cosplay, posted by toxicgirlcosplay on Instagram, shows Mara...

A Hasbro Black Series collection celebrates the original Zahn Thrawn trilogy, proving how critical it is to upcoming Star Wars canon. Thrawn's importance to the franchise is evident in new series and movies, like Ahsoka and The Mandalorian. Hasbro's exclusive collection highlights characters from Zahn's Heir to the Empire trilogy, available for preorder at 1 pm Et on March, 27.

A Black Series four-pack celebrates the Star Wars Legends Thrawn trilogy. While Thrawn has reemerged in canon in Star Wars' New Republic timeline, his story began in what is now Legends. Upcoming Star Wars TV shows are expected to further explore Thrawn's canon stories, while upcoming Star Wars movies will seemingly adapt the Legends trilogy from Timothy Zahn. This proves how important the formerly Star Wars Legends character of Thrawn has become to the franchise something further supported by a recent merchandising release.

Related New Star Wars Movies: Every Upcoming...

The Imperial March has brought plenty of Star Wars excitement for collectors, who have been given the chance to get their hands on figures based on their favorite titles from the franchise, including Jedi: Fallen Order. But now, the final batch of products related to the celebration has been announced by Hasbro, and it includes unexpected guests from the comic books and novels that are no longer canon to the story set a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. The new 4-Pack includes Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Mara Jade, Joruus C’baoth and Luuke, the evil clone seen in the stories published before the prequel trilogy was released. This package will come at a price of $99.99 Usd.

This Mandalorian cosplay captures the warrior spirit with unique armor and attention to detail, offering fun and original options for fans. Bo-Katan's role in uniting the Mandalorians is crucial, tied to the Mand'alor prophecy and their newfound camaraderie after liberation. The Mandalorian series, popular for Mando and Baby Yoda, offers an exciting glimpse into the Star Wars universe on Disney+.

A new Star Wars Mandalorian cosplay is breathtakingly savage. Every Mandalorian suit of armor is essentially a work of art, carefully crafted to reveal the Mandalorian warrior's culture and history. Although few survived the Purge of Mandalore, the Mandalorians have nonetheless reclaimed their homeworld, and that means viewers can expect to see a lot more Mandalorian armor going forward. Since no two sets of Mandalorian armor are 100% the same, this has opened up a wealth of fun, original cosplay options.

Related Star Wars Movies In Order: How To Watch Release Order,...

Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber was used for 10x longer by Mara Jade in the Star Wars Legends timeline. Mara Jade received the lightsaber as a gift at the start of her Jedi path from Luke Skywalker. Mara Jade used Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber for 31 years before it tragically fell back into Luke's possession.

Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber may be one of the most famous in the entire Star Wars franchise, but one Jedi used it for literally ten times as long as its creator. The very first lightsaber to be ignited on screen was Anakin Skywalker’s second Jedi lightsaber. The weapon would be used by Luke Skywalker as an aspiring Jedi before it was seemingly lost forever at the end of The Empire Strikes Back. The weapon would resurface in both the canon and Legends continuities, however, and Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber would be used by new owners.

Anakin Skywalker crafted his...

Mara Jade, a complex character introduced in the Legends-era, could have been seamlessly added to the original trilogy, enhancing the modern canon. Mara Jade's presence in Return of the Jedi and Star Wars canon would have added another layer of tragedy to Luke's exile, impacting the story in significant ways. The inclusion of Mara Jade in the modern canon could have led to major reforms in Luke's new generation of Jedi, similar to the Legends-era New Jedi Order.

The Star Wars franchise had the perfect opportunity to add a Legends-era character to the original trilogy, which would have had major ramifications for the modern canon. Before the Star Wars franchise underwent a partial reboot in 2014 to prepare for the sequel trilogy, what is now known as Legends was the official Star Wars timeline, with its various properties comprising the Expanded Universe. The original and prequel trilogy movies carried over into the modern Star Wars canon,...

Mara Jade, a powerful Force-user in Star Wars Legends, trained under Palpatine's ruthless guidance and later became a formidable Knight in the New Jedi Order. While Luke Skywalker is overall more powerful, Mara Jade's extensive training and dark side abilities made her a skilled duelist and warrior in the Legends timeline. From an Emperor's Hand to a Jedi, Mara Jade excelled in combat and showcased her skills by defeating adversaries like Darth Caedus in intense battles.

Mara Jade is an exceptionally powerful Force-user in the Star Wars Legends continuity, whose skills and aptitude are comparable to those of Luke Skywalker. While Mara Jade is no longer part of the modern Star Wars canon, she was created for the franchise’s first official continuity, the Expanded Universe, which became the alternate Legends timeline in 2014. Mara Jade is famous for being one of the Empire’s most powerful Force users (aside from...

Mara Jade, once Palpatine's assassin, evolved into a Jedi Master in Legends timeline. Fans wish to see her in Star Wars canon due to her complex characterization and relationship with Luke Skywalker. Possibility of Mara Jade becoming canon exists, with potential retcons in Luke's Jedi Order allowing marriage.

Mara Jade, once the Emperor's Hand in the Star Wars Legends continuity, is fondly remember for her marriage to Luke Skywalker. Raised by Emperor Palpatine as his adopted daughter and dark side-trained assassin, Mara has a compelling journey from quasi-Sith to smuggler and eventual Jedi Master in Luke Skywalker's New Jedi Order. Mara Jade also had a long-running romantic relationship with Luke Skywalker, with the two eventually marrying.

Although many would love to see Mara Jade become part of Star Wars canon, she is currently exclusive to the Star Wars Legends timeline - the continuity before the franchise's partial reboot in 2014. Having...

The Jedi attachment rule from the prequel trilogy influenced Luke's and Ben's arcs in the sequel trilogy. The policy against attachments blocked the possibility of a wife for Luke and a better arc for Ben Skywalker. Ignoring the attachment rule could have led to more compelling storylines for characters like Luke and Ben.

The Jedi Order of the Star Wars prequel trilogy set one critical Jedi policy in motion, and it shaped Ben Solo's character and Luke Skywalker's character in the sequel trilogy for the worse. While the original trilogy came first in the Star Wars timeline, those movies saw Luke trying to piece together who and what the Jedi had been with limited information. It wasn't until the prequel trilogy, decades later, that Star Wars showed the structure and rules of the Jedi Order, both explaining the facts and hints given in the original trilogy and determining the fate of the sequel trilogy.

Mara Jade could debut in upcoming Star Wars projects, fitting into the new canonical timeline. Ahsoka season 2 could use Shin Hati as Mara Jade-like character, satisfying Heir to the Empire fans. Future projects like Dave Filoni's New Republic Era movie could adapt the Thrawn Trilogy, bringing Mara Jade back.

Mara Jade was an iconic Star Wars character for years before the Disney acquisition, but her reappearance in canon stories feels inevitable – especially in a few upcoming Star Wars projects. First appearing in 1991, Mara Jade originally showed up in Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn, the same book that first debuted Grand Admiral Thrawn and firmly established the old Expanded Universe. In later books and comics, Mara continued to appear alongside the original trilogy's aging heroes, and eventually even married Luke Skywalker.

But after the 2012 purchase of Lucasfilm by Disney, and the production of the sequel trilogy with a distinct lack of Mara,...

Darth Vader's backstory in the prequels changes the perception of his crimes, showing just how far Anakin has fallen. The Phantom Menace subtly rewrites a plot from Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy, linking Vader's past to his slave-master present. Continuity in Star Wars leads to subtle connections and improvements, highlighting the complex nature of the franchise's storytelling.

Darth Vader's backstory in the prequels massively changes one of the most important stories in all of Star Wars Legends. In 1991, the Star Wars Expanded Universe was essentially relaunched by Timothy Zahn's "Heir to the Empire." Set five years after the events of Return of the Jedi, this introduced readers to a new status quo, along with exciting characters such as Grand Admiral Thrawn and Luke's future Jedi wife Mara Jade - characters who remain important and beloved even to this day. Thrawn, in particular, will be the villain of the next Star Wars movie.

Skywalker family span legacy through galaxy's history, from Shmi to Rey, with most members possessing strong Force connection. Legends expands beyond official canon, introducing a variety of Skywalker family members like Mara Jade and Ben Skywalker. Legacy continues with Skywalker descendants in Legends universe, such as Kol, Cade, and Nat Skywalker, carrying on the family's Jedi tradition.

Skywalker is one of the most famous surnames in movie history. Even non-Star Wars fans know the name without watching a single minute of the franchise. The Skywalkers are prominent characters in Episodes I - IX, which has been dubbed "the Skywalker Saga". They possess a particularly strong connection with the Force; as Luke always reminds us, "The Force is strong with my family." The Skywalkers play a major role in galactic events across generations, involved with both the creation and destruction of the Galactic Empire.

Their legendary stories go beyond Disney's official canon.

Mara Jade is the most popular character from the Star Wars Expanded Universe and a likely candidate for a comeback in canon storytelling. A poll conducted by Star Wars Insider magazine in 1998 revealed Mara Jade as a top 20 character, even though she never appeared in a movie. Mara Jade's popularity and her connection to Luke Skywalker make her return to the Star Wars canon timeline a possibility, potentially as an Inquisitor or alongside Thrawn in upcoming projects.

Of all the characters from the Star Wars Expanded Universe, this poll proves that Mara Jade is the most popular – and the most likely for a comeback in canon storytelling. Mara Jade first appeared as a character in Heir to the Empire, Timothy Zahn's now non-canon 1991 novel. Jade was the Emperor's lead covert-enforcer, known as the Emperor's Hand, and hated Luke Skywalker, leading to a snarky, fun relationship between the two as...

George Lucas never intended for Jedi to marry, which is why he didn't want Luke Skywalker to have a wife in the sequel trilogy. Despite initially approving Mara Jade's marriage to Luke Skywalker in the old canon, George Lucas did not want her to be part of the sequel trilogy. Disney has followed Lucas's lead and kept Mara Jade strictly in Star Wars Legends, with no mention of her or Luke's children in the canon. It is unlikely that she will be brought back into canon in the future.

In Star Wars Legends, Luke Skywalker married Mara Jade, but this may have broken George Lucas' original vision for Luke and the Jedi Order. Mara Jade is one of the most popular Star Wars Legends characters. Many people were upset when she was removed from the canon. However, there is one person who may be happy she wasn't in the sequel trilogy: George Lucas.