Summary
Some ofStar Wars’best characters would have done just as well (if not better) in different eras throughout the timeline. In truth,Star Wars’movies and TV showstend to have plenty of returning characters, whether it be through thrilling cameos or new story arcs. However, asStar Warsmoves beyond the Skywalker Saga and explores brand-new eras, those returns may become fewer and farther between.
Indeed, many belovedStar Warscharacters are unlikely to be seen again, especially those who have died in the franchise. Even so, it’s fun to imagine what their stories could have looked like had they been in a different period ofStar Warsentirely.These 12 characters in particular would have been just as incredible—if not more so—had they appeared in otherStar Warseras.
The Star Wars Timeline Explained: All 9 Eras
From the Dawn of the Jedi in ancient times to the founding of the New Jedi Order, the Star Wars canon timeline has a rich history across nine eras.
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
Anakin Skywalker was essential to the Republic and the Jedi during the Clone Wars. In fact, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin became heroes to the entire Republic throughout the Clone Wars era because of how much they contributed to the war effort. Although Anakin obviously turned to the dark side in the end and was a vicious Sith Lord helping Palpatine rule the Empire, had he stayed on the light side of the Force and been one ofthe survivors of Order 66, he could have had an incredible impact on the Rebellion.
Not only was Anakin one ofStar Wars’most powerful Jedi, but he also had significant experience with war tactics following the Clone Wars. Moreover, assuming other aspects of the Empire remained the same,he would have had considerable insight into Palpatine and his plots. Had Anakin been on the side of the Rebels, he could have done incredible damage to the Empire, perhaps bringing about its end even before the original trilogy’s Rebellion did.
Leia Organa
Leia was invaluable to the Rebellion and the Resistance in the movies, and, although not shown on screen, she was also an influential Senator in the New Republic Era, helping the galaxy rebuild after the fall of the Empire. While this was a critical period in theStar Warstimeline, this political prowess also suggests how much positive impact she could have had on the Republic Senate during the prequel trilogy.
Although the prequel trilogy’s Republic was in some ways doomed to fail, as Palpatine was meticulously plotting the downfall of the Republic and the Jedi by stoking the flames of the Clone Wars, Leia could nevertheless have had a positive impact. While she may not have been able to stop the war or Palpatine’s larger plot, she could have helped many Republic Senators, and perhaps even some Separatists, see that something nefarious was occurring beneath the surface. In fact, although a bit too late,that is precisely what her mother, Padmé, tried to do.
Luke Skywalker
Although Luke Skywalker was the hope for the Jedi’s future,he would also have thrived in the prequel trilogy’s Jedi Order. Luke was in many ways the ideal Jedi. While he began his Jedi training much older than most Jedi (including his father, who was also quite old when he joined the Order compared to most Jedi Initiates), he exhibited many of the best traits of a Jedi.
Luke was compassionate, wise, disciplined, and committed to the light side of the Force even in the face of temptation from two ofStar Wars' most powerful Sith. Given that he achieved all this without the structure of a Jedi Order and with limited training with Obi-Wan and Master Yoda. Had Luke been raised in the Jedi Temple, he undoubtedly could have become an even more powerful Jedi.
Had Luke been raised in the Jedi Temple, he undoubtedly could have become an even more powerful Jedi.
Asajj Ventress
Based on her surprising cameo inStar Wars: The Bad Batchseason 3, it seems Asajj Ventress is no longer on the dark side of the Force. Although she was Count Dooku’s apprentice inStar Wars: The Clone Warsand then became a bounty hunter of questionable morals, when she appeared inThe Bad Batch, Ventress was sporting two yellow lightsabers. Although her change in perspective wasn’t confirmed in the show,the color of her lightsabers alone suggests she has rejoined the light side of the Force.
Despite that, Ventress remains an incredible villain inStar Wars. As one ofthe Nightsisters of Dathomir, Ventress wielded incredible power, and she proved to be a fierce assassin, even giving Anakin and Obi-Wan a run for their money throughoutThe Clone Wars. Had Ventress stayed on the dark side, she would have been a formidable opponent during the New Republic Era. Particularly with Vader and Palpatine gone (temporarily, in Palpatine’s case), Ventress would have had the perfect opportunity to strike.
Ahsoka Tano
Ahsoka Tano is arguably one of the best characters inStar Wars, and she has certainly proven herself as an incredible Jedi, fighter, and leader. Although her time in the New Republic Era is still being revealed in theAhsokashow, her absence from the sequel trilogy seemingly suggests she wasn’t part of the Resistance for whatever reason. However,she would have been an incredible addition to the fight against the First Order.
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Not only would Ahsoka have had substantial experience given her time in the Clone Wars and assisting the Rebellion, but she also would have been a Jedi fighter when the Resistance had none. Moreover, Ahsoka had seen first-hand how things could go wrong, particularly with her history in the Jedi Order. Had Ahsoka been at the helm of the Resistance, she would have posed a major threat to the First Order—and she likely would have had no difficulty defeating Kylo Ren.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan was essential to the Clone Wars and to watching over Luke Skywalker until he was ready to be trained as a Jedi,but he would have been a perfect fit forthe High Republic Era, the period largely considered the golden age for the Jedi and the Republic. Unlike the prequel trilogy era, which was marked by war and the downfall of the Jedi, the High Republic Era saw the Jedi in a period of peace, able to focus on a greater understanding of the Force. Obi-Wan would have been an excellent addition to such a period.
While, yes, Obi-Wan was a powerful fighter who played a major role in the war, his disposition and values were much more aligned with those of the High Republic. In fact, Obi-Wan had wisdom and a curious spirit—after all, that was how he discovered Kamino and the clone troopers—which would have made him a great asset to this age of exploration. Although the Jedi and the Republic would undoubtedly have fared much worse without him, this era would have been the best for Obi-Wan.
Qui-Gon Jinn
Qui-Gon Jinn was a bit of a troublemaker even before he strong-armed the Jedi Council into accepting Anakin as a Padawan against their better judgment. In fact, Yoda even references Obi-Wan sharing Qui-Gon’s defiance, suggesting a long-standing history of Qui-Gon challenging the Council. While that may have proven challenging for the Jedi Order of the prequel trilogy, it means Qui-Gon would have been an asset to the Rebellion during the Dark Times.
Qui-Gon would have been an asset to the Rebellion during the Dark Times.
Under Imperial rule, the few Jedi remaining had to go into hiding, at best working for the Rebellion in the shadows, as Ahsoka Tano had. However,Qui-Gon would have been brilliant in this capacity. Qui-Gon was known for being wise, patient, and discerning. These strengths would have lent themselves well to Qui-Gon plotting against the Empire and being tactical in undermining their rule. Moreover, Qui-Gon would surely have been invested in protecting Force-sensitive children, making him a perfect adversary againstthe Imperial Inquisitors.
5Darth Vader Would Have Been A Bigger Threat During The Sequel Trilogy
First Appeared In:A New Hope
The sequel trilogy controversially resurrected Emperor Palpatine inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, butDarth Vader would have been a much more threatening original trilogy villain to bring back. In addition to Vader arguably being closer to his prime than Palpatine had been inReturn of the Jedi, Vader also had influence in a way that Palpatine didn’t. Specifically, assuming other plot points remained the same, Darth Vader and Kylo Ren together would have posed an incredible threat to the galaxy.
Darth Vader and Kylo Ren together would have posed an incredible threat to the galaxy.
Kylo Ren was obsessed with being like his grandfather and carrying on his legacy, which would have made him unfailingly loyal. This would have been especially dangerous, as it would have undone the Sith’s most fatal flaw. Kylo Ren may have been the very first Sith apprentice who wasn’t seeking to overthrow his master. Rather,the two could have truly built an Empire and ruled together.
Padmé Amidala
Padmé Amidala was an absolute powerhouse of a character, and she was gone too soon. Throughout the prequel trilogy, she proved herself to be a fearless leader and one of the most upstanding characters in the franchise in terms of her values and her unwavering commitment to them. After serving as Queen of Naboo at just 14, she became a Senator in the Republic who fought not only for her own people but also for myriad planets and people throughout the galaxy.
She was also unafraid even as she was being targeted in an assassination attempt and was willing to walk away from the man she loved when he became something she couldn’t abide. In light of that,Padmé would have been an incredible leader of the Rebellion. In fact, although eventually cut,Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithset up that very plot point, with Padmé effectively starting the Rebellion. However, had she lived to fight with the Rebels, she would have had a massive influence.
Mace Windu
Mace Windu’s death was the final step in Anakin Skywalker’s turn to the dark side, as Anakin’s decision to side with Palpatine over Mace (and allow Palpatine to kill him) cemented Anakin’s allegiances. In the mere moments following Mace’s death, Anakin accepted his new role as Palpatine’s Sith apprentice. While that alone suggests the influence of Mace Windu’s death on the largerStar Warsgalaxy,his absence later in theStar Warstimeline had major implications as well.
Not only would Mace Windu have been helpful throughout the Dark Times, but he also may have saved Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Temple. Luke was attempting to rebuild the Jedi from the ground up without assistance. Had he had the wisdom of a Jedi Master, especially one who had witnessed firsthand the fall of the prequel trilogy’s Jedi Order, he may have anticipated the impending dangers and prevented the brutal destruction of his Temple, perhaps even saving Ben Solo in the process.
