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{{short description|Fictional character in Star Wars}}
{{pp-pc1|expiry=21:53, 12 February 2018|small=yes}}
{{Sources exist|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox character {{Infobox character
| name = Mara Jade Skywalker | name = Mara Jade Skywalker
| image = Maralukeben.jpg | image = Maralukeben.jpg
| image_size = 167px
| caption = Mara Jade (right) and Luke Skywalker (left) with their son Ben Skywalker | caption = Mara Jade (right) and Luke Skywalker with their son Ben Skywalker
| series = ] | series = ]
| first = '']'' | first = '']'' (1991)
| last = '']'' | firstgame = '']'' (1997)
| last = '']'' (2012)
| creator = ] | creator = ]
| occupation = Emperor's Hand, smuggler, trader, ] | occupation = Emperor's Hand, smuggler, trader, ]
Line 14: Line 17:
| data21 = Coruscant | data21 = Coruscant
| affiliation = ]<br>Smugglers' Alliance<br>]<br>]<br>Galactic Alliance | affiliation = ]<br>Smugglers' Alliance<br>]<br>]<br>Galactic Alliance
| portrayer = ] (for the ''Star Wars'' Customizable Card Game) | portrayer = ]
| voice = {{plainlist| | voice = {{plainlist|
* Samantha Bennett (''Return of the Jedi'' radio drama) * Samantha Bennett (])
* ] ('']'') * ] ('']'')
* Heidi Shannon ('']'', '']'') * Heidi Shannon ('']'', '']'')
* ] ('']'') * ] ('']'')
}} }}
| spouse = ] (19 ABY - 40 ABY; her death) | spouse = ]
| children = ] (son) | children = ] (son)
| family = ] (sister-in-law) <br> ] (brother-in-law) <br> ] (niece) <br> ] (nephew; deceased) <br> ] (nephew; deceased) | family = ] (mother-in-law, deceased)<br>Shmi Skywalker (grandmother-in-law, deceased)<br>] (father in-law, deceased)<br>] (sister-in-law)<br>] (brother-in-law)<br>] (niece)<br>] (nephew, deceased)<br>] (nephew, deceased)<br>] (descendant)
}} }}
'''Mara Jade Skywalker''' is a fictional character in ] books, comic books, and computer games. She is the wife of ] and mother of ]. In the different ]s, she is voiced by Heidi Shannon, ] and ]. '''Mara Jade Skywalker''' is a ]al ] in the '']'' franchise. She appears in the now non-canon '']'' continuity as the wife of ] and mother of ]. She has been voiced by Heidi Shannon, ] and ] in various ]s.


==Concept and development== ==Concept and development==
Mara Jade was introduced in ]'s '']'' (1991). Zahn imagined Jade as a strong, complex female character, which he found was lacking in the ''Star Wars'' ]. While competent, she is also flawed.<ref>{{cite web|quote=Mara a strong female character (which were few and far between in the Star Wars movies), but she's also flawed and searching and—dare we say it?—human. At the same time, she's highly competent at her job.|url=http://www.echostation.com/interview/zahn.htm|title=Star Wars Per-Zahn-Ified|accessdate=2008-03-18|first=Jeff|last=Carter|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120908052928/http://www.echostation.com/interview/zahn.htm|archivedate=2012-09-08|df=}}</ref> When the '']'' ended in 1993 with '']'', Zahn thought it was the last book for which he would develop the character.<ref name=forcezahn>{{cite web|url=http://theforce.net/jedicouncil/interview/zahn.asp|title=Timothy Zahn|work=Interviews – Face To Face With The Masters|publisher=]|date=2008-03-13}}</ref> When Zahn was asked to write another novel, he established two goals: "to end the war between the ] and the ], and to get ] and Mara together."<ref name=forcezahn/> Although ] initially resisted the idea of Luke marrying Mara, they eventually acquiesced.<ref name=forcezahn/> Her first appearance was in ]'s '']'' (1991). Zahn imagined Mara Jade as a strong, complex female character, somebody he thought lacking in the ''Star Wars'' universe. While competent, she is flawed.<ref>{{cite web|quote=Mara a strong female character (which were few and far between in the Star Wars movies), but she's also flawed and searching and—dare we say it?—human. At the same time, she's highly competent at her job.|url=http://www.echostation.com/interview/zahn.htm|title=Star Wars Per-Zahn-Ified|access-date=2008-03-18|first=Jeff|last=Carter|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908052928/http://www.echostation.com/interview/zahn.htm|archive-date=2012-09-08}}</ref> When the ] ended in 1993 with '']'', Zahn thought it was the last book for which he would develop the character.<ref name=forcezahn>{{cite web|url=http://theforce.net/jedicouncil/interview/zahn.asp|title=Timothy Zahn|work=Interviews – Face To Face With The Masters|publisher=]|date=2008-03-13|access-date=2008-03-13|archive-date=2009-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219221001/http://theforce.net/jedicouncil/interview/zahn.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> Asked to write another novel, he established two goals: "to end the war between the ] and the ], and to get ] and Mara together."<ref name=forcezahn/> Although ] resisted the idea of Luke marrying Mara, they eventually acquiesced.<ref name=forcezahn/>


In 2018, Zahn said Lucasfilm gave him some creative control over the character of Mara Jade: any appearance of Mara in new works requires Zahn's approval. Zahn also explained that Lucasfilm Story Group held the authority to prevent him from incorporating Mara back into the canon, so any appearance of the character must be approved by both parties. Zahn said he would only allow her to appear if she plays an important role in the plot, and he would block any kind of ]. Previously, the character of ], another Zahn creation, made the jump from '']'' to canon, albeit with a slightly-reworked story. Subsequently, Zahn said he hoped to find a way to bring Mara into the canon, stating "If there was a generic, or organic, spot for her to fit into a story... I promise people, I will pitch it to the Lucasfilm story group, and then, it's their decision whether to allow it or not."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-9-mara-jade-timothy-zahn/|title=Mara Jade Creator Hasn't Been Asked To Approve ''Star Wars'' 9 Appearance|date=July 25, 2018|website=]|access-date=August 19, 2018|first=Chris|last=Agar|archive-date=August 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818115413/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-9-mara-jade-timothy-zahn/|url-status=live}}</ref>
⚫ Compared to ''Star Wars''{{'}} sole iconic female character, ], Zahn said, "Mara has a sharper and more sarcastic manner, and of course, she had to go through the painful realization that her service had been to an evil cause. But they're both women who are strong without sacrificing their femininity, a balance which I think some authors have trouble writing. Bear in mind too, that Leia was one of the first people in the New Republic who decided Mara could be trusted, which perhaps says something about their understanding of each other."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.echostation.com/interview/zahn2.htm|title=Star Wars Per Zahn-Ified|accessdate=2008-03-18|first=Jeff|last=Carter|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120729231117/http://www.echostation.com/interview/zahn2.htm|archivedate=2012-07-29|df=}}</ref>


⚫ Compared to ], Zahn said, "Mara has a sharper and sarcastic manner, and of course, she had to go through the painful realization her service was to an evil cause. But both women are strong without sacrificing their femininity, a balance which I think some authors have trouble writing. Bear in mind, too, Leia was one of the first people in the New Republic who decided Mara could be trusted, which perhaps says something about their understanding of each other."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.echostation.com/interview/zahn2.htm|title=Star Wars Per Zahn-Ified|access-date=2008-03-18|first=Jeff|last=Carter|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729231117/http://www.echostation.com/interview/zahn2.htm|archive-date=2012-07-29}}</ref>
In 2006, Zahn called Mara and ] his favorite characters out of those he created, saying that "Mara, with her attitude and her Jedi skills, is just plain fun to write, especially when she's in opposition—or in partnership—with Luke."<ref name="SW Outbound">{{cite web |url=http://www.starwars.com/eu/lit/novel/f20060131/index.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060204162725/http://www.starwars.com/eu/lit/novel/f20060131/index.html |date=January 31, 2006 |archivedate=February 4, 2006 |title=Timothy Zahn: ''Outbound Flight'' Arrival |publisher=StarWars.com |accessdate=July 21, 2016 |deadurl=yes}}</ref> In a 1998 ''Star Wars Insider'' poll of fans' favorite ''Star Wars'' characters, Mara Jade was the only expanded universe character to break the top 20.


==Depiction== == Appearances ==
Mara is introduced as ] ]'s second-in-command in ''Heir to the Empire''. The novel establishes she was previously an "Emperor's Hand"—a special agent—for ].
Mara Jade is introduced as ] ]'s second-in-command in '']''. The novel establishes that she was previously an "Emperor's Hand"—a special agent—for ]. Several stories depict Jade before the events in ''Heir to the Empire'', showing her training under Palpatine and executing his orders. The ] depicts Mara's first confrontation with Luke Skywalker, whom she has sworn to kill to avenge Palpatine's death. This was reinforced by the Emperor's final ] command to assassinate Luke, which had plagued her thoughts since his death; upon learning this situation, Luke vowed to help Mara break Palpatine's hold on her, regardless of the danger she posed to him. Towards the end of the trilogy, she turns against the Empire and resolves her anger toward Luke and silences the command without killing him, instead killing Luke's '']''—]—who had been made by the Dark Jedi ] to challenge Luke. In doing so, she took Anakin Skywalker's blue lightsaber (which Luuke was using), and used it instead of Luke's green lightsaber to defeat C'baoth. At the close of '']'', Luke gives her Anakin's lightsaber not only because she had earned it, but because he truly wanted her to have it. Over the course of the series, Luke recognizes in Mara an underdeveloped affinity for the ]; and although she initially resists ] training, she eventually becomes a Jedi Master.


Several stories depict Jade before the events in ''Heir to the Empire'', showing her training under Palpatine and executing his orders. The ''Thrawn'' trilogy depicts Mara's first confrontation with Luke Skywalker, whom she swears to kill to avenge Palpatine's death (Palpatine sent her a faked image of Luke and Vader turning on him together, rather than Vader killing Palpatine, and the demand for Luke's death motivated by Palpatine's desire for revenge against his father rather than Luke's actions).
⚫ Luke and Mara develop a strong bond in Zahn's '']''; he proposes marriage, and the two wed in ]'s graphic novel '']''.<ref>{{cite comic |title=] |writer=] |date=1999–2000 |issue=comic series |publisher=]}}</ref> She delivers a son, Ben, during '']'' series. In the '']'' series, Mara becomes suspicious of her nephew, ], when he sends Ben on several ethically dubious missions. Upon learning that Jacen has become a ] apprentice, Mara vows to kill him, but Jacen ultimately kills ''her'' in '']''. She later appears as a Force ghost, first to Ben and then to Luke, in '']''. She also appears as a Force ghost to ] in the '']'' comics, set more than a century after the ''Star Wars'' films.


This was re-inforced by the Emperor's final ] command to assassinate Luke, plaguing her thoughts since his death; upon learning this situation, Luke vowed to help Mara break Palpatine's hold on her, regardless of the threat she posed to Luke. Toward the end of the trilogy, she turns against the Empire, and resolves her anger toward Luke, silences the command without killing him and instead killing Luke's '']''—]<!--NOT A TYPO-->—made by the Dark Jedi ] to challenge Luke.
⚫ ==Other appearances==
⚫ Mara was portrayed by model ] (as Shannon Baksa) on several cards in the ]. Meeting her was also a mission objective in the now defunct massively multiplayer online game '']''. She is a controllable character in ''],''. '']'', '']'' and '']''. She also narrates the Imperial campaign in '']''. {{citation needed|date=January 2016}}


In doing so, she took Luke's lightsaber that was recovered after his initial duel with Darth Vader, and used it to stab C'baoth. At the close of ''The Last Command'', Luke gives her Anakin's lightsaber because he believed she earned it and because he truly wanted her to have it. Over the course of the series, Luke recognizes in Mara an underdeveloped affinity for ]; and although she initially resists ] training, she eventually becomes a Jedi Master.
⚫ Mara appears in the short story "Sleight of Hand: The Tale of Mara Jade", by ], in the ] '']''. In this story, she infiltrates ]'s palace as a dancing girl in order to assassinate Luke Skywalker under orders of the Emperor, but misses her chance when Jabba drops him into the ]'s lair and he escapes.


Luke and Mara develop a strong bond in Zahn's '']'' duology; he proposes marriage, and the two wed in ]'s graphic novel '']''.<ref>{{cite comic |title=] |writer=] |date=1999–2000 |issue=comic series |publisher=]}}</ref> She delivers a son, Ben, during '']'' series.
⚫ ==Reception==
⚫ Mara Jade was chosen by ] as the 19th top ''Star Wars'' character.<ref name="IGN Top 100">{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/star-wars-characters/19.html |title=Top 100 Star Wars Characters |work=IGN |accessdate=28 November 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817235550/http://uk.ign.com/star-wars-characters/19.html |archivedate=17 August 2010 |df= }}</ref> IGN's Jesse Schedeen also listed the character as the top 10th ''Star Wars'' hero, noting that she "entered the Expanded Universe early, and she's stuck around for so long because she's just a great character".<ref name="TopHero">{{cite web |url=http://uk.stars.ign.com/articles/898/898949p1.html |title=Top 25 Star Wars Heroes: Day 4 |author=Jesse Schedeen |date=14 August 2008 |work=IGN |accessdate=16 May 2011}}</ref> ] called the character the seventh top ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe character, calling her complex.<ref name="TopEU">{{cite web |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/star-wars-expanded-universe-characters-top-50-mara-jade-skywalker |title=Top 50 Star Wars Expanded Universe Characters |author=Adam Rosenburg |date=1 July 2008 |work=] |accessdate=16 May 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827180421/http://www.ugo.com/games/star-wars-expanded-universe-characters-top-50-mara-jade-skywalker |archivedate=27 August 2010 |df= }}</ref> In 2006, Zahn called Mara and Thrawn his favorite characters out of those he created.<ref name="SW Outbound"/>


⚫ In the '']'' series, Mara is suspicious of her nephew, ], after he sends Ben on several ethically-dubious missions. Upon learning Jacen is a ] apprentice, Mara vows to kill him, but Jacen ultimately kills ''her'' in '']''. She later appears as a Force ghost, first to Ben then to Luke, in '']''. She also appears as a Force ghost to ] in the '']'' comics, set more than a century after the ''Star Wars'' films.
==Appearances in literature==
===Novels===
;]


⚫ === Other appearances ===
* '']'' (1991)
* '']'' (1992)
* '']'' (1993)


⚫ Mara also appears in the short story "Sleight of Hand: The Tale of Mara Jade," by ], in the ] '']''. In this story, she infiltrates ]'s palace as a dancing girl to assassinate Luke Skywalker under orders of the Emperor, but misses her chance after Jabba drops him into the ]'s lair then escapes.
;'']''


Mara was portrayed by model ] (as Shannon Baksa) on several cards in the '']''.
* '']'' (1997)
* '']'' (1998)


⚫ She is a playable character in ''],''. '']'', '']'' and '']'' (Wii version). Meeting her was also a mission objective in the defunct massively multiplayer online game '']''. She also narrates the Imperial campaign in '']''. {{citation needed|date=January 2016}}
;'']''
* '']'' (2006)
* '']'' (2006)
* '']'' (2006)
* '']'' (2007)
* '']'' (2007)


She was portrayed by Denise Donovan in the ] musical parody '']''.
;''Hand of Judgement''
* '']'' (2007)
* '']'' (2011)


== Canonicity ==
;Other
* '']'' (1995)
* ‘’]’’ (1998)
* '']'' (2004)


In 2008, when franchise creator ] said there would be no ], he explained that plot elements from the Expanded Universe were not part of his story, saying, "Luke doesn't get married".<ref>{{cite web |last=Wakeman |first=Gregory |title=George Lucas Was Terrible At Predicting The Future Of Star Wars |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/George-Lucas-Was-Terrible-Predicting-Future-Star-Wars-68506.html |website=Cinema Blend |access-date=November 29, 2019 |date=December 4, 2014 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114031020/https://www.cinemablend.com/new/George-Lucas-Was-Terrible-Predicting-Future-Star-Wars-68506.html |url-status=live }}</ref> With the 2012 acquisition of Lucasfilm by ], most of the licensed ''Star Wars'' novels and comics produced since the originating 1977 film '']'' were re-branded as ''Star Wars Legends'' and declared ] in April 2014.<ref name="SW Adult">{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line |title=Disney and Random House announce relaunch of ''Star Wars'' Adult Fiction line |publisher=StarWars.com |date=April 25, 2014 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |archive-date=May 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514073722/http://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="THR Legends">{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lucasfilm-unveils-new-plans-star-698973 |last=McMilian |first=Graeme |title=Lucasfilm Unveils New Plans for ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe |work=] |date=April 25, 2014 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |archive-date=August 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830203115/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lucasfilm-unveils-new-plans-star-698973 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SW Legends">{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page |title=The Legendary ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe Turns a New Page |publisher=] |date=April 25, 2014 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |archive-date=September 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910044317/http://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Comics===

* ''Mara Jade: By the Emperor's Hand''; graphic novel (1999)
⚫ ==Reception==
* ''Mara Jade: A Night on the Town'', comic in '']''
⚫ Mara Jade was chosen by '']'' as the 19th top ''Star Wars'' character.<ref name="IGN Top 100">{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/star-wars-characters/19.html |title=Top 100 Star Wars Characters |work=IGN |access-date=28 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817235550/http://uk.ign.com/star-wars-characters/19.html |archive-date=17 August 2010 }}</ref> ''IGN''{{'}}s Jesse Schedeen also listed the character as the top 10th ''Star Wars'' hero, noting she "entered the Expanded Universe early, and she stuck around for so long because she's just a great character".<ref name="TopHero">{{cite web |url=http://uk.stars.ign.com/articles/898/898949p1.html |title=Top 25 Star Wars Heroes: Day 4 |author=Jesse Schedeen |date=14 August 2008 |work=IGN |access-date=16 May 2011 |archive-date=23 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080823024224/http://uk.stars.ign.com/articles/898/898949p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ] called the character the seventh top ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe character, calling her complex.<ref name="TopEU">{{cite web |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/star-wars-expanded-universe-characters-top-50-mara-jade-skywalker |title=Top 50 Star Wars Expanded Universe Characters |author=Adam Rosenburg |date=1 July 2008 |work=] |access-date=16 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827180421/http://www.ugo.com/games/star-wars-expanded-universe-characters-top-50-mara-jade-skywalker |archive-date=27 August 2010 }}</ref> In a 1998 '']'' poll of fans' favorite ''Star Wars'' characters, Mara was the only expanded universe character to break the top 20.{{citation needed|date=August 2018}} In 2006, Zahn called Mara and ] his favorite characters out of those he created, saying "Mara, with her attitude and her ] skills, is just plain fun to write, especially in opposition—or in partnership—with Luke."<ref name="SW Outbound">{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/eu/lit/novel/f20060131/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060204162725/http://www.starwars.com/eu/lit/novel/f20060131/index.html |date=January 31, 2006 |archive-date=February 4, 2006 |title=Timothy Zahn: ''Outbound Flight'' Arrival |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=July 21, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
* {{Wookieepedia|Mara Jade Skywalker}} * {{Wookieepedia|Mara Jade Skywalker}}

{{Star Wars characters}} {{Star Wars universe}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Jade, Mara}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Jade, Mara}}
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Latest revision as of 04:03, 19 November 2024

Fictional character in Star Wars
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Fictional character
Mara Jade Skywalker
Star Wars character
Mara Jade (right) and Luke Skywalker with their son Ben Skywalker
First appearanceHeir to the Empire (1991)
First gameMasters of Teras Kasi (1997)
Last appearanceFate of the Jedi: Apocalypse (2012)
Created byTimothy Zahn
Portrayed byShannon McRandle
Voiced by
In-universe information
SpeciesHuman
GenderFemale
OccupationEmperor's Hand, smuggler, trader, Jedi Master
AffiliationGalactic Empire
Smugglers' Alliance
New Republic
Jedi
Galactic Alliance
FamilyPadmé Amidala (mother-in-law, deceased)
Shmi Skywalker (grandmother-in-law, deceased)
Anakin Skywalker (father in-law, deceased)
Leia Organa-Solo (sister-in-law)
Han Solo (brother-in-law)
Jaina Solo (niece)
Jacen Solo (nephew, deceased)
Anakin Solo (nephew, deceased)
Cade Skywalker (descendant)
SpouseLuke Skywalker
ChildrenBen Skywalker (son)
HomeworldCoruscant

Mara Jade Skywalker is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. She appears in the now non-canon Legends continuity as the wife of Luke Skywalker and mother of Ben Skywalker. She has been voiced by Heidi Shannon, Edie Mirman and Kath Soucie in various Star Wars video games.

Concept and development

Her first appearance was in Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire (1991). Zahn imagined Mara Jade as a strong, complex female character, somebody he thought lacking in the Star Wars universe. While competent, she is flawed. When the Thrawn trilogy ended in 1993 with The Last Command, Zahn thought it was the last book for which he would develop the character. Asked to write another novel, he established two goals: "to end the war between the New Republic and the Empire, and to get Luke Skywalker and Mara together." Although Lucasfilm resisted the idea of Luke marrying Mara, they eventually acquiesced.

In 2018, Zahn said Lucasfilm gave him some creative control over the character of Mara Jade: any appearance of Mara in new works requires Zahn's approval. Zahn also explained that Lucasfilm Story Group held the authority to prevent him from incorporating Mara back into the canon, so any appearance of the character must be approved by both parties. Zahn said he would only allow her to appear if she plays an important role in the plot, and he would block any kind of cameo appearance. Previously, the character of Grand Admiral Thrawn, another Zahn creation, made the jump from Legends to canon, albeit with a slightly-reworked story. Subsequently, Zahn said he hoped to find a way to bring Mara into the canon, stating "If there was a generic, or organic, spot for her to fit into a story... I promise people, I will pitch it to the Lucasfilm story group, and then, it's their decision whether to allow it or not."

Compared to Princess Leia, Zahn said, "Mara has a sharper and sarcastic manner, and of course, she had to go through the painful realization her service was to an evil cause. But both women are strong without sacrificing their femininity, a balance which I think some authors have trouble writing. Bear in mind, too, Leia was one of the first people in the New Republic who decided Mara could be trusted, which perhaps says something about their understanding of each other."

Appearances

Mara is introduced as smuggler Talon Karrde's second-in-command in Heir to the Empire. The novel establishes she was previously an "Emperor's Hand"—a special agent—for Emperor Palpatine.

Several stories depict Jade before the events in Heir to the Empire, showing her training under Palpatine and executing his orders. The Thrawn trilogy depicts Mara's first confrontation with Luke Skywalker, whom she swears to kill to avenge Palpatine's death (Palpatine sent her a faked image of Luke and Vader turning on him together, rather than Vader killing Palpatine, and the demand for Luke's death motivated by Palpatine's desire for revenge against his father rather than Luke's actions).

This was re-inforced by the Emperor's final telepathic command to assassinate Luke, plaguing her thoughts since his death; upon learning this situation, Luke vowed to help Mara break Palpatine's hold on her, regardless of the threat she posed to Luke. Toward the end of the trilogy, she turns against the Empire, and resolves her anger toward Luke, silences the command without killing him and instead killing Luke's clone—Luuke Skywalker—made by the Dark Jedi Joruus C'baoth to challenge Luke.

In doing so, she took Luke's lightsaber that was recovered after his initial duel with Darth Vader, and used it to stab C'baoth. At the close of The Last Command, Luke gives her Anakin's lightsaber because he believed she earned it and because he truly wanted her to have it. Over the course of the series, Luke recognizes in Mara an underdeveloped affinity for the Force; and although she initially resists Jedi training, she eventually becomes a Jedi Master.

Luke and Mara develop a strong bond in Zahn's The Hand of Thrawn duology; he proposes marriage, and the two wed in Michael A. Stackpole's graphic novel Union. She delivers a son, Ben, during The New Jedi Order series.

In the Legacy of the Force series, Mara is suspicious of her nephew, Jacen Solo, after he sends Ben on several ethically-dubious missions. Upon learning Jacen is a Sith apprentice, Mara vows to kill him, but Jacen ultimately kills her in Sacrifice. She later appears as a Force ghost, first to Ben then to Luke, in Revelation. She also appears as a Force ghost to Cade Skywalker in the Legacy comics, set more than a century after the Star Wars films.

Other appearances

Mara also appears in the short story "Sleight of Hand: The Tale of Mara Jade," by Timothy Zahn, in the anthology Tales from Jabba's Palace. In this story, she infiltrates Jabba the Hutt's palace as a dancing girl to assassinate Luke Skywalker under orders of the Emperor, but misses her chance after Jabba drops him into the Rancor's lair then escapes.

Mara was portrayed by model Shannon McRandle (as Shannon Baksa) on several cards in the Star Wars Customizable Card Game.

She is a playable character in Star Wars: Masters of Teräs Käsi,. Star Wars Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith, Star Wars: Empire at War and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Wii version). Meeting her was also a mission objective in the defunct massively multiplayer online game Star Wars Galaxies. She also narrates the Imperial campaign in Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds.

She was portrayed by Denise Donovan in the Team Starkid musical parody Ani.

Canonicity

In 2008, when franchise creator George Lucas said there would be no sequel trilogy, he explained that plot elements from the Expanded Universe were not part of his story, saying, "Luke doesn't get married". With the 2012 acquisition of Lucasfilm by The Walt Disney Company, most of the licensed Star Wars novels and comics produced since the originating 1977 film Star Wars were re-branded as Star Wars Legends and declared non-canon to the franchise in April 2014.

Reception

Mara Jade was chosen by IGN as the 19th top Star Wars character. IGN's Jesse Schedeen also listed the character as the top 10th Star Wars hero, noting she "entered the Expanded Universe early, and she stuck around for so long because she's just a great character". UGO Networks called the character the seventh top Star Wars Expanded Universe character, calling her complex. In a 1998 Star Wars Insider poll of fans' favorite Star Wars characters, Mara was the only expanded universe character to break the top 20. In 2006, Zahn called Mara and Grand Admiral Thrawn his favorite characters out of those he created, saying "Mara, with her attitude and her Jedi skills, is just plain fun to write, especially in opposition—or in partnership—with Luke."

References

  1. Carter, Jeff. "Star Wars Per-Zahn-Ified". Archived from the original on 2012-09-08. Retrieved 2008-03-18. Mara a strong female character (which were few and far between in the Star Wars movies), but she's also flawed and searching and—dare we say it?—human. At the same time, she's highly competent at her job.
  2. ^ "Timothy Zahn". Interviews – Face To Face With The Masters. TheForce.Net. 2008-03-13. Archived from the original on 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
  3. Agar, Chris (July 25, 2018). "Mara Jade Creator Hasn't Been Asked To Approve Star Wars 9 Appearance". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  4. Carter, Jeff. "Star Wars Per Zahn-Ified". Archived from the original on 2012-07-29. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  5. Stackpole, Michael A. (w). Union, no. comic series (1999–2000). Dark Horse Comics.
  6. Wakeman, Gregory (December 4, 2014). "George Lucas Was Terrible At Predicting The Future Of Star Wars". Cinema Blend. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  7. "Disney and Random House announce relaunch of Star Wars Adult Fiction line". StarWars.com. April 25, 2014. Archived from the original on May 14, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  8. McMilian, Graeme (April 25, 2014). "Lucasfilm Unveils New Plans for Star Wars Expanded Universe". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 30, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  9. "The Legendary Star Wars Expanded Universe Turns a New Page". StarWars.com. April 25, 2014. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  10. "Top 100 Star Wars Characters". IGN. Archived from the original on 17 August 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  11. Jesse Schedeen (14 August 2008). "Top 25 Star Wars Heroes: Day 4". IGN. Archived from the original on 23 August 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  12. Adam Rosenburg (1 July 2008). "Top 50 Star Wars Expanded Universe Characters". UGO Networks. Archived from the original on 27 August 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  13. "Timothy Zahn: Outbound Flight Arrival". StarWars.com. January 31, 2006. Archived from the original on February 4, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2016.

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