Now, you may want to have your pinch of salt at the ready for this one, but if rumours are to be believed it seems that Disney and Lucasfilm may be set to introduce a major Expanded Universe character into the Star Wars canon with next year’s Star Wars: Episode IX.
According to That Hashtag Show, a casting call has gone out for a female lead, said to be between 40 and 50 years old, who will be portraying the character ‘Mara’.
Naturally, this report has led to speculation that the character in question is none other than the fan favourite Mara Jade, who – for those unfamiliar with the old EU/Legends – is a former assassin for The Emperor who becomes the wife of Luke Skywalker, mother to Ben Skywalker, and a Jedi Master.
Now, it’s possible that this report is inaccurate, or that Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams are simply toying with fans by using the codename ‘Mara’ for a new female character. By the same token, it’s also plausible that they’re looking to introduce the Disney Canon version of Mara Jade, taking inspiration from the EU in a similar manner to that of Ben Solo/Kylo Ren.
SEE ALSO: Rumour: Yoda to feature in Star Wars: Episode IX
Perhaps the Disney version of Mara Jade will be Rey’s mother, as opposed to Luke Skywalker’s wife/widow? Or maybe this ‘Mara’ is going to turn out to be an ultimately inconsequential Resistance member/senator/supporting player, who bears no resemblance whatsoever to the fan favourite EU character.
Star Wars: Episode IX isn’t set for release until December 2019, so presumably we’re going to have a long wait until we get a definitive answer…
