5 Upcoming Star Wars Movies Shows That Could Make Mara Jade Canon

By Daniel Tinaglia Published 14 minutes ago

Of all the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows, and with Mara Jade’s return feeling inevitable, where could the rogue turned Jedi show up first?

Summary

• Mara Jade could debut in upcoming Star Wars projects, fitting into the new canonical timeline.
• Ahsoka season 2 could use Shin Hati as Mara Jade-like character, satisfying Heir to the Empire fans.
• Future projects like Dave Filoni's New Republic Era movie could adapt the Thrawn Trilogy, bringing Mara Jade back.

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Mara Jade was an iconic Star Wars character for years before the Disney acquisition, but her reappearance in canon stories feels inevitable &- especially in a few upcoming Star Wars projects. First appearing in 1991, Mara Jade originally showed up in Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn, the same book that first debuted Grand Admiral Thrawn and firmly established the old Expanded Universe. In later books and comics, Mara continued to appear alongside the original trilogy's aging heroes, and eventually even married Luke Skywalker.

But after the 2012 purchase of Lucasfilm by Disney, and the production of the sequel trilogy with a distinct lack of Mara, the character was deemed non-canon. However, Mara's popularity has not waned, and many fans are clamoring for Mara Jade's return to canon. But with the sequel trilogy already done, a new interconnected TV universe, and upcoming theatrical outings leading up to the sequels, in which future projects could Mara Jade fit into this new canon Star Wars timeline?

5 The Mandalorian & Grogu

Mara Jade Could Debut With The New Republic Era On The Big Screen

Mara Jade would be an easy fit in the next Star Wars movie, The Mandalorian & Grogu. It is the next major release, and if Star Wars intends to further connect these stories, setting up a likely important character like Mara Jade in the first project would be advantageous &- especially if Din Djarin is taking down former Imperials, potentially including Mara. Also, Mara Jade has always been synonymous with this era of the timeline in Legends, which makes this an ideal place to debut her, as this is the first time the New Republic Era is seen on the big screen.

Some viewers have theorized Katy M. O'Brian's Elia Kane could be a canon version of Mara Jade.

Curiously, some viewers have theorized Katy M. O'Brian's Elia Kane — a spy introduced in The Mandalorian season 3 — could be a canon version of Mara Jade. In this interpretation, the former Emperor's Hand is still working for the Empire, and simply hasn't demonstrated her Force sensitivity yet. This seems unlikely, but it's an exciting possibility.

4 Dave Filoni's New Republic Era Movie

The Thrawn Trilogy's Adaptation Needs Mara Jade

Another upcoming project is Dave Filoni's Mandalorian era movie, with Grand Admiral Thrawn confirmed as the main villain. This makes sense, as the film is rumored to be an approximate adaptation of the novel Heir to the Empire, Mara Jade's first appearance in Legends. She was rather integral to the plot of that book, so it would make some sense if she appeared in this movie as well. The main cast and plot of this film have not been revealed yet, which may completely change this prediction. But for now, it seems like a great place to bring her into canon.

3 Ahsoka season 2

The Force-Centered Story Of Ahsoka Could Introduce Mara Jade — As Shin Hati

The Ahsoka Disney+ TV show brought back Grand Admiral Thrawn in live-action, and that naturally has led to speculation other Heir to the Empire characters could appear in Ahsoka season 2. But Ahsoka season 1 also featured a character named Shin Hati, a dark Jedi who worked alongside Thrawn's forces. Many viewers have theorized Shin could end up playing a role much like Mara's in Heir to the Empire, but in the future of the Star Wars timeline. And if Shin is the Mara stand-in, Sabine Wren could also be a Luke Skywalker substitute, possibly satisfying the popular fan ship of Shin and Sabine.

2 Skeleton Crew

Exploring Mara Jade's Smuggler And Pirate Past

Mara could make her debut in another lesser known upcoming Star Wars series, Skeleton Crew. Footage from Star Wars Celebration confirmed this mysterious TV show will explore the criminal underworld of the New Republic era. This perfectly matches where Mara Jade was first introduced in Heir to the Empire, as the enforcer of a very powerful smuggler named Talon Karrde.

1 Rey's New Jedi Order Movie

Mara Jade Could Be Part Of A Different New Jedi Order

One of Mara Jade's biggest roles in Star Wars Legends was as part of Luke Skywalker's New Jedi Order — and it's telling that Lucasfilm has confirmed the launch of a New Jedi Order era. The key difference, though, is that this will focus on Rey Skywalker's new order, as opposed to Luke's. This would certainly be a shift, taking Mara out of the New Republic era, but Star Wars has been known to make major changes to the timeline before — meaning it could well happen again.