The Untold Story of Jacen Syndulla in the Star Wars Universe

Highlights

The character Jacen Syndulla, portrayed as a green-haired boy in the Ahsoka series, has a notable connection to the Jedi and originates from the expansive Star Wars Legends universe. This background holds the potential to profoundly shape his ongoing character progression.

Jacen's father, Kanan Jarrus, was a Jedi who trained as a padawan and played a vital role in opposing the Empire. Although Jacen never met his father, he is familiar with the tales of his heroism.

Concerns arise regarding Jacen's destiny in the Star Wars universe, as there is speculation that he might venture down a dark path, mirroring the fate of his namesake, Jacen Solo, as depicted in the Star Wars Legends novels.

The Ahsoka reunion in Star Wars: Rebels has fulfilled fans' desires since the series concluded in 2018. While viewers who followed The Clone Wars and Rebels are reaping numerous rewards, those who only follow the movies may find certain story points and characters perplexing. One such character is Jacen Syndulla, the young boy with green hair who overheard Ahsoka clash with her former master.

Jacen Syndulla briefly appeared in Star Wars: Rebels, but there is a significant backstory to this character that enhances the audience's appreciation. He is not simply a child accompanying his mother on the Ghost; he has connections to the Jedi and, furthermore, has ties to the now obsolete Star Wars Expanded Universe, also known as Legends.

Who Is Jacen Syndulla?

Jacen Syndulla made his debut in the Star Wars: Rebels series finale and later appeared in the live-action show Ahsoka. For those unfamiliar with Rebels, Jacen's mother is General Hera Syndulla, a skilled pilot of the Twi'lek species. Although Jacen appears human-like with green hair, he is actually half Twi'lek, inheriting his human traits from his father, whom Rebels viewers would recognize. This is also where Jacen's strong connection to the Force originates.

Jacen's father is Kanan Jarrus, a Jedi and the leader of the Phoenix Squadron. Prior to the fall of the Galactic Republic, Kanan trained as a Jedi padawan and managed to survive the Jedi purge. He concealed his Jedi abilities until he encountered Ezra Bridger on the planet Lothal and sensed Ezra's Force sensitivity. Kanan led numerous successful missions against the Empire but ultimately sacrificed himself to save his team and progress their mission. Although Jacen never had the chance to meet his father, he undoubtedly heard stories about him.

Jacen's Connection with Star Wars Legends

Star Wars fans expressed great disappointment when they discovered that Kylo Ren's true name was Ben, not Jacen. The devoted followers of the "Extended Universe," now known as "Legends," had anticipated that Han and Leia would name their firstborn child either Jacen or Jaina, as those were the names given to their first two children. However, in the Star Wars Legends universe, Han and Leia do not name any of their three children Ben. This name is reserved for Luke's son, which is a topic better suited for a separate article.

The name Jacen, particularly spelled in that specific way, holds a significant significance in the Star Wars universe. Not only does it belong to one of Han and Leia's children, but it also represents a character with a complex storyline, filled with challenges and difficulties. Certain aspects of what the literary Jacen experienced resonated with fans when they witnessed Kylo Ren's journey, though Abrams chose to omit many of them. Dave Filoni possesses extensive knowledge about the Star Wars lore, including Jacen Solo, and it is highly likely that he drew inspiration from this character when he created Jacen Syndulla. This inclusion may be more than just a simple homage to Star Wars Legends.

In Legends, Jacen Solo and his siblings join Luke Skywalker's new Jedi Academy as padawans. Jacen forges friendships with fellow padawans and embarks on numerous thrilling adventures. Along the way, he tragically loses a friend to the Dark Side, and strives to redeem them in a series of gripping novels. As part of his journey, Jacen accompanies Luke and his parents on various missions, ranging from diplomacy to investigations.

Jacen eventually evolves into a formidable Jedi, earning a reputable position in the galaxy. However, if Jacen Syndulla's presence is more than a mere reference to Jacen Solo, it implies that fans will witness a significant increase in Jacen Syndulla's prominence moving forward. Conversely, this may not be entirely favorable news for fans or for the character.

Why Jacen Could Have a Dark Future in Star Wars

The looming question surrounding Filoni's interconnected stories is this: Where were these characters during the sequel trilogy? Whether Jacen Syndulla's storyline parallels that of Jacen Solo or not, it appears that Jacen's prospects are grim. If he were to come under Luke's care at his Jedi academy, there is a high likelihood of Jacen suffering the same fate as Luke's other apprentices. In the event that he survived Ben's deadly purge, he may have aligned himself with Ben and Snoke. But what happened to Jacen beyond that point?

If he were to align himself with the First Order, did he join the enigmatic ranks of the Knights of Ren? If that were the case, Jacen would have been among the knights slain by Ben in The Rise of Skywalker. Either way, the path he chose would ultimately lead to his demise. It wouldn't be out of character for Jacen, given the similar dark path followed by his namesake, Jacen Solo, in the Extended Universe novels.

Despite playing a crucial role in the war against the Yuuzhan Vong, Jacen Solo eventually embraced the dark side of the Force and adopted the name Darth Caedus. Under this new identity, he betrayed his loved ones and abandoned his core beliefs, convinced that his actions were in the best interest of the Galactic Alliance. He committed heinous acts by killing his uncle's wife, inflicting torture upon his former apprentice, and leading other students of Luke Skywalker astray, perpetrating numerous atrocities.

Fans may observe a similar trajectory in the character of Jacen Syndulla. Dave Filoni deliberately chooses to spell his name in the same manner as Jacen Solo, suggesting an intentional parallel. It is not beyond the realm of possibility for Filoni and his team to establish Jacen Syndulla as a character with a kind heart, good intentions, and adored by fans, only to later depict his descent into darkness.