George Lucas Believed Anakin Should Never Have Been A Jedi

by

The Star Wars story, created by George Lucas, starts with a tragic beginning but ultimately becomes a tale of victory. It introduces Anakin Skywalker, a special individual chosen by the Force to bring harmony to the galaxy—though the films never clearly define what that harmony looks like. The first three movies show Anakin’s downfall, as he transforms into Darth Vader, the series’ famous villain. It isn’t until many years later, through the loving actions of his son Luke, that Anakin finds redemption.

What caused Anakin Skywalker to fall to the dark side? Some believe his inherent fears, as Yoda suggested, were the root of his problems, leading to anger, hate, and eventual pain. Others think the Jedi Order could have helped him if they’d been more understanding, provided better support, and taught him to cope with his emotional connections. However, George Lucas himself had a different explanation for what went wrong.

Lucas Believed Anakin Shouldn’t Have Been a Jedi

Recent interpretations of Star Wars often portray Qui-Gon Jinn as a visionary Jedi Master who understood the Force more clearly than others. Many believe he was correct in wanting to train Anakin, seeing it as the will of the Force, and that he would have been a more effective teacher than Obi-Wan. However, George Lucas himself had a different view, considering Qui-Gon a somewhat rebellious Jedi who was entirely mistaken in wanting to train Anakin. He shared this perspective in a 1999 interview with Cut Magazine (as reported by David Talks SW).

It’s clear that Qui-Gon made a risky choice in Episode I, but it might actually turn out to be the right one. The ‘phantom menace’ is really the growing power of the dark side. While Anakin will eventually fall to the dark side and disrupt the galaxy’s balance, it’s Anakin himself – as Darth Vader – who ultimately defeats the Emperor.

George Lucas felt the Jedi Council was correct to initially deny Anakin training. They accurately sensed his fear and strong emotional attachments, recognizing he wasn’t suited to be a Jedi. Qui-Gon Jinn’s death led them to reluctantly train him anyway, a decision they regretted as it ultimately contributed to Anakin’s fall to the dark side and his role in the devastating Order 66.

Looking back, everything worked out as it should have – the Force always finds a way, because light will always overcome darkness, and love can’t truly be destroyed by hate. But what really struck me about Darth Vader’s redemption in Return of the Jedi was how different it was. It wasn’t about him gaining anything; he saved Luke out of pure, selfless love. He didn’t attack Palpatine for his own benefit, but to protect his son. In that moment, it felt like he finally let go of all the possessiveness and attachment that had led him down the dark path in the first place.

Anakin Was Never A Great Jedi

This leads to a challenging realization: despite being a hero in the Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker never truly became a great Jedi. While he was undeniably powerful and won many battles, Yoda taught Luke that victory in war isn’t what makes a Jedi great. True Jedi greatness comes from confronting and overcoming your inner demons, finding inner peace, and learning to control your emotions and attachments. Anakin simply never reached that level of self-mastery.

The Clone Wars really highlight Anakin’s flaws. He wasn’t a team player, relying on his own strength and often acting arrogant. This behavior actually encouraged others to make mistakes as well. Instead of managing his emotional connections, he was torn between his secret, intense love for Padmé and his commitment to the Jedi Order. This internal conflict created a weakness that Palpatine exploited, ultimately leading Anakin down a dark path.

Thanks to the influence of Dave Filoni, a key creative figure, many Star Wars fans now see the Skywalker saga in a new light. We tend to view Qui-Gon Jinn as a wise and heroic figure who correctly assessed Anakin Skywalker, but George Lucas originally had a different idea. We often celebrate Anakin’s accomplishments and see him as a model Jedi, when Lucas actually portrayed him as flawed and troubled. Lucas’ original vision provides a significantly different understanding of the entire Skywalker story.

I’m seriously hyped for the next Star Wars project! I’m dying to know which movie or show everyone is most looking forward to. Let’s chat about it – head over to the ComicBook Forum and share your thoughts with me and the rest of the fans!

https://comicbook.com/movies/feature/seven-years-after-rise-of-skywalker-is-star-wars-already-bringing-back-the-sith/embed/#

Read More

2026-01-15 21:44