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 could become part of Star Wars canon after all.
It Looks Like Luke Is Standing Next To A Grave In The Force Awakens
Many viewers thought that Star Wars: The Force Awakens was going to confirm that Mara Jade was canon because Luke Skywalker appeared to be standing next to a grave on Ahch-To at the very end of the movie. In fact, many (myself included) thought this was going to be the explanation for Luke’s absence from the galaxy and abandonment of the Resistance as they fought the First Order. In addition to thrillingly making Mara Jade canon, this would have improved a major sequel trilogy problem.
Mara Jade would have been a much more compelling explanation for Luke’s fall.
Luke’s complete character transformation between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens was highly controversial. He had gone from a character full of hope and spirit to someone who hid from his problems and believed the galaxy was beyond saving. Eventually, the sequels revealed that this was because Luke’s nephew, Ben Solo, had fallen to the dark side and become Kylo Ren. However, Mara Jade would have been a much more compelling explanation for Luke’s fall, in my opinion.
In fact, although the sequels were heavily criticized for repeating the plot points of the original trilogy, The Force Awakens and A New Hope in particular, this would have been history repeating itself in a way that felt compelling. Specifically, like his father, Luke would have had his commitment to the light side of the Force shaken by the loss of the woman he loved. In Anakin’s case, this meant a complete fall to the dark side because he feared losing Padmé. For Luke, this could have meant conflict after his wife died.
This also still would have protected the type of person Luke was. He wouldn’t have entirely fallen, as his father had, but he would have struggled to maintain hope in light of such a terrible loss (especially depending upon how she died). While that wasn’t revealed in the sequels, though, that doesn’t have to mean Star Wars never makes this story canon.
The New Republic Era Is Still Largely Undefined In Canon
Star Wars has only recently begun to truly explore the New Republic era, which could be precisely how the franchise finally makes Mara Jade canon. Approximately 30 years pass between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens and, on screen, very little has been revealed about that gap. It wasn’t until shows like The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka that Star Wars began revealing what took place during this time.
Moreover, Luke has been pivotal in shows set during this era, with Ahsoka being the only show of the three that didn’t include a cameo from him. Presumably, this means that Luke’s story could continue to be explored in this era. This would make particular sense, as this was a crucial period for Luke. It was during this time that Luke became a true Jedi Master and established his own Jedi Temple. While a larger plot about Luke and Mara Jade might require a re-cast for Luke, it could certainly be coming down the line.
Star Wars Could Easily Make Mara Jade Canon
There’s really very little reason at this point why Mara Jade couldn’t be made canon. Yes, it would require some retconning, as Mara Jade wasn’t mentioned in the sequels, but Star Wars has made much more significant contradictions and absences work in the past. After all, Ahsoka Tano became crucial to Anakin Skywalker’s story, but she was entirely absent from the prequels. The same tactic could be applied to Mara Jade’s character. Not only would this bring an amazing character to canon, but it would also improve Luke’s arc.
Luke’s storyline remains a major sticking point in the franchise, as many are still disappointed with how the character was handled in the sequel trilogy. By exploring his relationship with Mara Jade in the New Republic Era and the effect her death could have had on him, Star Wars might be able to ameliorate some of the damage done by this narrative decision. In fact, Star Wars could still use the idea of Luke standing by a grave in The Force Awakens to make Mara Jade canon, and I sincerely hope the franchise does.