Mara Jade Comeback? Star Wars Insider Fuels Speculation

A beloved character from Star Wars Legends may finally be making her way into official canon, according to a new report from trusted industry insider Daniel Richtman (aka DanielRPK). The report claims that Lucasfilm “wants to do something” with Mara Jade Skywalker, one of the most iconic figures in the pre-Disney Star Wars Expanded Universe.

Mara Jade first appeared in Timothy Zahn’s 1991 novel Heir to the Empire, the opening chapter in what became known as the Thrawn Trilogy—still considered by many fans to be essential reading. Originally introduced as an elite assassin for Emperor Palpatine known as the “Emperor’s Hand,” Mara’s arc took her from loyal Imperial agent to unlikely ally and eventual wife of Luke Skywalker. She would later become the mother of Ben Skywalker in the Legends timeline, a character entirely separate from the canon version of Ben Solo/Kylo Ren.

While fans have long clamored for her return, her presence in canon has so far been limited to Easter eggs and speculation. The biggest challenge for her reintroduction is narrative fit—especially given that Luke Skywalker’s story has already concluded in the current canon. However, with a number of Star Wars films and series in development, there are still potential entry points, especially if Lucasfilm explores alternate timelines, reimagined lore, or the post-Return of the Jedi era in more depth.

The possible inclusion of Mara Jade also reopens a broader debate within fandom: should Star Wars Legends material become canon again? George Lucas famously dismissed the Expanded Universe as separate from his vision, and Disney officially rebranded the EU as "Legends" in 2014 to clear the slate for its sequel trilogy. Still, characters like Thrawn and Black Krrsantan have successfully made the jump to canon in recent years, proving it can be done—if done right.

Whether as a reinvented version or a faithful adaptation, the return of Mara Jade would mark a major shift—and a major moment—for longtime Star Wars fans.