Unveiling the Untold Connection: The Sinister Truth Behind Palpatine's Assassin in ROTJ - And Her Startling Return in Canon

A fresh theory surrounding Star Wars proposes that Mara Jade, a well-liked character from the Legends series, played a secretive role in Return of the Jedi and is anticipated to make an appearance in Ahsoka. Formerly known as the Expanded Universe, the Star Wars Legends continuity held the official canon status prior to its rebranding in 2014. However, it still notably influences the current canon's lore. Although the Legends series is considered more niche compared to the present Star Wars canon, some of its elements have gained popularity and found their way into the new timeline.

The decision to rebrand the Expanded Universe as "Legends" was aimed at maximizing creative freedom for the forthcoming Star Wars sequel trilogy. However, it unexpectedly went on to inspire various aspects of the sequels, including the controversial resurrection of Palpatine. Extending beyond the realm of movies, Grand Admiral Thrawn, a merciless Imperial strategist introduced by author Timothy Zahn in the 1990s, was reintroduced into the official canon through Star Wars Rebels and is expected to make his live-action debut in Ahsoka. In line with this, a new theory surfaces speculating that another character from Zahn's novels, Mara Jade, may also be making her first appearance in the official canon in Ahsoka.

Mara Jade Was The Emperor's Hand In Star Wars Legends

How Mara Jade Failed In Her Mission To Kill Luke Skywalker

In the Legends canon, Mara Jade was a Force-sensitive individual who held the esteemed position of one of Palpatine's Emperor's Hands. This title was bestowed upon Imperial agents who were specifically trained to tap into the power of the dark side of the Force. Excelling in her role, Mara Jade became Palpatine's most formidable assassin, matched only by the future Dark Lady of the Sith, Lumiya.

Mara Jade made her debut in Timothy Zahn's "Thrawn trilogy," where she made the decision to disassociate herself from the Emperor's service following his demise in Return of the Jedi. Throughout the course of the trilogy, Mara took significant strides in liberating herself from the dark side's grip and Palpatine's influence. This transformative journey led her to embrace a new path as a Jedi, which was solidified when she was gifted Anakin Skywalker's blue-bladed lightsaber from her newfound ally, Luke Skywalker.

By the time Palpatine resurfaced in Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy's Dark Empire miniseries, Mara Jade had transcended her former allegiances and had truly evolved into a Jedi.

Mara Jade's character was introduced by Zahn in his novels, where it was revealed that she played a secret role during the events depicted in Return of the Jedi. Tasked by Palpatine himself, Mara was sent to Jabba's Palace with the expectation that Luke Skywalker would come to rescue Han Solo. Disguised as a dancer named "Arica," Mara's true mission was to assassinate Luke. Interestingly, Mara even made a cameo appearance as Arica in the Return of the Jedi radio drama. However, disappointing for fans, she was notably absent from the 1997 Special Edition, despite Shannon McRandle repeatedly depicting Mara in promotional materials and merchandise.

Mara Jade couldn't confront Luke Skywalker at Jabba's Palace. However, as Palpatine perished aboard the Second Death Star, he cunningly implanted a suggestion in Mara's mind. This suggestion compelled her to eliminate Luke the instant she encountered him. Over the next five years, Mara struggled with the lingering effects of Palpatine's manipulation, especially when circumstances led her to ally with Luke during the Thrawn campaign. Even after losing faith in the Emperor, the suggestion continued to haunt Mara. It wasn't until the conclusion of the "Thrawn trilogy" that she finally managed to break free from its grip. In a rather ironic twist, Mara's liberation occurred when the deranged Jedi clone Joruus C'baoth unleashed Luuke, a twisted clone of Luke. Instead of fulfilling the Emperor's command, Mara chose to eliminate the clone, effectively saving Luke Skywalker. As time went on, Mara Jade and Luke Skywalker not only developed a deep bond but eventually got married.

Popular Star Wars Theory Suggests Mara Jade Is Ahsoka's Mystery Inquisitor

A promotional image of the highly anticipated Disney+ TV show Ahoska unveils an enigmatic new Inquisitor. These Jedi-killing agents, formerly associated with Darth Vader, were presumed to have perished after the events of Return of the Jedi. The termination of the Inquisitorius program was widely believed to have occurred during the time of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, leaving no trace of these formidable foes in this era of the Star Wars timeline. The sudden appearance of an Inquisitor during the New Republic Era has sparked numerous inquiries, primarily revolving around the true identity of this formidable warrior. A prevalent theory circulating among fans proposes that this new Inquisitor could be none other than Mara Jade herself, as portrayed in the canon, thus bringing about a drastic alteration to her backstory.

Star Wars Can Still Make Mara Jade's Origin Story Canon

In the Star Wars universe, the existence of the Emperor's Hands is acknowledged in the reference book Starships and Speeders. One example of a non-Force-sensitive Mandalorian, Gar Saxon, is referred to as an Emperor's Hand in Star Wars Rebels. It is possible that a canon version of Mara Jade could retain this aspect of her backstory, making her both an Inquisitor and an Emperor's Hand. This would distinguish her as the only Inquisitor who was not a former Jedi, suggesting that she may have been purposefully planted among the other Inquisitors on Palpatine's orders, possibly with a fabricated background. Such a scenario could also explain why Mara Jade would survive the termination of the Inquisitor project. Incorporating another element from the "Thrawn trilogy" into Star Wars canon would be relatively straightforward. Similar to the storyline in Zahn's novels, Mara Jade could be sent to Tatooine to kill Luke Skywalker when he attempts to rescue Han Solo. Given Lucasfilm's apparent inclination to draw inspiration from Zahn's novels for The Mandalorian era, this would provide another means of including an important element in the canon.

If Ahsoka's Inquisitor Is Mara Jade, Her Story Must Then Be Very Different

The main issue lies in the fact that the current Star Wars canon lore presents a significant challenge when incorporating Mara Jade without significant alterations to her character. If Mara Jade were to be portrayed as the mysterious Inquisitor in Ahsoka, it would imply that she still aligns herself with the Empire to some extent, rather than being a smuggler. Although the essence of Mara Jade's name and concept could potentially be replicated within the current Star Wars canon, capturing the same captivating portrayal she enjoyed in the Legends continuity would be exceedingly difficult. It may be more fitting to leave Mara Jade as a character exclusive to the Star Wars Legends continuity, rather than attempting to integrate her into the current narrative.