As a die-hard Star Wars fan, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the next installment since the last film graced our screens six long years ago. The mixed reception to “The Rise of Skywalker” and Disney’s focus on streaming platforms led to a hiatus in theatrical releases. But now, Lucasfilm is breaking the silence! Next year, we have “The Mandalorian” and Grogu to look forward to, followed by “Star Wars: Starfighter” in 2027. There are more potential projects on the horizon, but for now, I’ll keep my fingers crossed and see what unfolds.
It’s worth noting that the first two projects are already in the works, and as for “Star Wars: Starfighter,” production is currently underway. Directed by Shawn Levy and featuring Ryan Gosling in the lead role, this film has been bolstering its cast with notable additions such as Aaron Pierre, Matt Smith, and surprisingly, Amy Adams. The ensemble, which includes Adams, a six-time Oscar nominee, is particularly impressive and her involvement adds to the anticipation. It’s not just because she’s a talented actor but, given that it’s Star Wars, speculation about who she might be portraying has naturally arisen.
Could Amy Adams Really Be Playing Mara Jade?
According to THR, Adams has been cast as the mother of Gosling’s character and is set to be protected by him from unknown galactic villains, potentially played by Smith and Mia Goth. With a well-known actress joining the Star Wars universe, especially one in their 50s with red hair for a movie within the sequel timeline (Starfighter being set five years after The Rise of Skywalker), speculation arises as to whether this could be Mara Jade.
For those new to the Expanded Universe (now known as Star Wars Legends), Mara Jade is a highly beloved character from that era. Initially presented as Emperor’s Hand, a secretive Force-sensitive operative, her first mission was to assassinate Luke Skywalker. However, Mara underwent a path of redemption and later married Luke Skywalker. Over time, she became a Jedi Master within the New Jedi Order. Since Star Wars made its return, many fans have speculated about how she could re-enter the main storyline (canon).
Indeed, bringing her character into the story isn’t straightforward. Despite Luke’s presence in the sequel trilogy and the Disney+ series delving into post-“Return of the Jedi” events, Mara remains absent. It’s worth noting that numerous comics and books expand upon this universe as well, but still no sign of her. The Star Wars lore has significantly diverged from its Legends counterpart, which makes speculation about Adams playing Mara Jade enticing, yet highly unlikely.
While initially dismissing the notion might seem logical, it’s worth keeping an open mind about the possibility. Given Disney’s approach to reintroducing Legends elements in creative ways across their franchises, including Marvel, it wouldn’t be shocking if Mara Jade were incorporated into Star Wars in a similar fashion. After all, Starfighter’s release aligns with the franchise’s 50th anniversary and could serve as a tribute to the extended universe, a significant aspect of Star Wars history.
How Mara Jade Could Fit Into Star Wars: Starfighter
As a devoted fan, I must say that Mara Jade stands out as an intricately layered character in the Star Wars universe, with two pivotal aspects to her story that deserve attention: firstly, her role as the Emperor’s Hand, and secondly, her union with Luke Skywalker. Interestingly enough, her designation as the Emperor’s Hand has already been confirmed as canon, serving as a testament to how certain terms and concepts can take on different meanings in this expansive galaxy far, far away.
Intriguingly, the Mandalorian Gar Saxon also held the title of Emperor’s Hand, as depicted in Star Wars Rebels. This reveals that these aren’t the same elite group of Force-wielding assassins Palpatine had in the Legends continuity. However, this doesn’t diminish the fact that there is a foundation for them, and we are well aware of the Emperor’s penchant for secret plans and contingencies.
Starfighter, Mara would be around 50-51 years old, which isn’t much older than Mark Hamill (56-57) is today, making it easy to align with the timeline.
In the evolving galaxy far, far away, the once mighty Empire and its successor, the First Order, have crumbled. Enter Mara, a former Imperial who’s turned over a new leaf or chosen solitude, even bearing a child along the way. Her Force sensitivity adds an intriguing layer to her character, reminiscent of the hidden Jedi and Order 66 survivors that Star Wars lore consistently unveils. This could potentially make her past a looming threat, driving both her and Gosling’s character into hiding. If so, it offers Mara a rich backstory that Emily Adams can expertly bring to life with emotion and depth.
In simpler terms, making Mara Jade into Luke’s wife after his death would be unusual, given the context of the Star Wars universe. While there’s no official contradiction to this idea, it would require significant retconning to fit within the story as we know it. It feels out of character for Luke, who seems to follow Yoda’s philosophy on attachments, and introducing a character from Starfighter who was married to Luke might confuse fans.
Is There Enough To Justify Making Mara Jade Canon Now?
If Adams portrays Mara Jade in Star Wars: Starfighter, it might need to be a streamlined adaptation. While it could retain some key aspects of her character and potentially reappear in one of the New Jedi Order films if she’s a secret Jedi, one may question its purpose for the general audience as they wouldn’t understand the significance. For fans who are well-versed with Mara Jade, it might not live up to their expectations, being more like a watered-down version of their beloved character instead.
While it’s tempting to imagine Mara Jade returning, given how well-written Adams is and how compelling her character is, it might not be appropriate for the current Star Wars series. Instead, a setting like The Mandalorian or New Republic era could provide a better fit, especially if it leads to a fresh interpretation of the Heir to the Empire storyline with Thrawn. Mara Jade’s backstory could be further developed in this new context, particularly in relation to any potential connections with Luke Skywalker. However, the timeline may not allow for Carrie Fisher (who played Mara Jade in the past) to reprise her role.
It seems unlikely that the character portrayed by Adams in Star Wars: Starfighter is Mara Jade, but it’s enjoyable to ponder the possibility. If Star Wars decides to incorporate more Legends characters into canon, having as much of Mara Jade as possible would be fantastic. For now, though, Adams is one of the most thrilling castings in recent Star Wars projects, and I hope her role, whomever she may play, will produce something exceptional.
On May 28th, 2027, the game titled “Star Wars: Starfighter” will be launched. However, before that, an exciting new series featuring “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is set to premiere on May 22nd, 2026.
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2025-08-30 15:11