Star Wars: The Force Unleashedwas one of the first video games to explore the period of time betweenStar Wars: Episode 3andStar Wars: Episode 4. It introducedStarkiller, Darth Vader’s secret apprenticewho had an unprecedented connection with the Force, and who would be instrumental in the formation of the Rebellion.
While this story worked well for its time,Star Warshas changed a lot since the release ofStar Wars: The Force Unleashed, and many pieces of its story wouldn’t work inthe franchise today. Starkiller as a character in particular would be difficult to place in Darth Vader’s story, and many of the roles he played, such as Vader’s apprentice and one of the founders of the Rebellion, have already been taken by other characters like Ahsoka Tano and the events ofStar Wars Rebels. Other games such as theStar Wars Jediseries have covered the Inquisitorius and Vader’s movements during the Rebellion era more thoroughly, leaving little for Starkiller to contribute if he came back.
Starkiller’s Role in Star Wars Before Disney’s Canon
Starkiller, also known as Galen Marek, had a story that filled a fundamental gap in Darth Vader’s story, and served to explain the origins of the Rebellion before Disney’sStar Warscanon was established. As Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, raised and trained by Vader specifically to overthrow Sidious, Starkiller went on to form the Rebellion as a secret Sith agent under Vader’s orders, making it so that Anakin inadvertently created the Rebellion and his own downfall.The Force Unleashedwas released before Disney’s acquisition ofStar Wars, which led toStar Wars Rebels.Rebelsincluded story events that superseded the events ofThe Force Unleashed.
The presence of Darth Sidious' Inquisitorius also goes on to specifically negate the presence of Starkiller. While a secret apprentice for Darth Vader would be compelling, there isn’t room for one in a narrative sense, considering the roles that Starkiller once filled have been taken by others, particularly fromStar Wars Rebelsas well asStar Wars Jedi: Fallen OrderandStar Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Darth Vader’s Apprentice and His Canon Ending
Injecting Starkiller’s story into these narratives would sadly do nothing to strengthen them, and it would do nothing to better Darth Vader’s story. Starkiller’s conflict with Vader has already been told several times over, as depicted by several members of the Inquisitorius, Cal Kestis, and, most prominently, Ahsoka. While it would be great togive Ahsoka a parallel Sith apprentice, Maul has already fulfilled this role in theStar Wars: The Clone Warsfinal season. Notably, Maul was voiced by Sam Witwer, who also voiced Starkiller.
Ahsoka already works incredibly well as Vader’s apprentice, and she plays a pivotal role in founding the Rebellion. This takes away several of Starkiller’s fundamental roles, requiring a reboot of his character if he were to reappear again. Vader’s relationship with Ahsoka and Luke already fulfills what Starkiller’s once did, when he dies in Luke’s arms, and experiences conflict about the path Ahsoka, his apprentice, takes. Bringing Starkiller back would ultimately require a reboot of his entire arc and character, and would require a very different relationship with Darth Vader, if he’d have one with Vader at all. This begs the question of the point of bringing Starkiller back at all. Ultimately, theStar Wars: The Force Unleashedgames were a lot of fun, especially for their time, but some games and stories should remain in the past.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
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Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II follows immediately after its action-adventure forebear, putting you in the role of a Starkiller clone. In the midst of the Alliance-Empire war, you must find meaning in your creation.The Star Wars® Saga continues with Star Wars®: The Force Unleashed™ II, the highly anticipated sequel to the fastest-selling Star Wars game ever created. In Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, the world was introduced to Darth Vader’s now fugitive apprentice, Starkiller—the unlikely hero who would ignite the flames of rebellion in a galaxy so desperately in need of a champion.In the sequel, Starkiller returns with over-the-top Force powers and embarks on a journey to discover his own identity and to reunite with his one true love, Juno Eclipse. In Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, Starkiller is once again the pawn of Darth Vader—but instead of training his protégé as a ruthless assassin, the dark lord is attempting to clone his former apprentice in an attempt to create the Ultimate Sith warrior. The chase is on – Starkiller is in pursuit of Juno and Darth Vader is hunting for Starkiller.With all-new devastating Force powers and the ability to dual-wield lightsabers, Starkiller cuts a swath through deadly new enemies across exciting worlds from the Star Wars films - all in his desperate search for answers to his past.
