It looks like Disney and Lucasfilm already have big plans after the premiere of Star Wars Episode 9. The studios already have several new trilogies planned out in the coming years that would succeed the Skywalker Saga and it looks like they are digging through the Star Wars Expanded Universe for new stories. But will Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker actually hint at a person from Luke Skywalker's own past? Could a new Star Wars trilogy focus on Luke's wife Mara Jade?
To the uninitiated, Mara Jade is the wife of Luke Skywalker who appears in several books and video games that are no longer canon. Mara was first introduced in the 1991 book Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn as a bounty hunter who constantly butts heads with Luke. The two eventually get married and have a son named Ben Skywalker as Luke trains Mara to become a Jedi Knight. Although she is considered one of the most popular Star Wars characters, Mara has yet to be introduced the films.
There have been speculations that Mara Jade will finally show up in Star Wars Episode 9. Fans initially believed that Keri Russell would play Mara in The Rise of Skywalker before it was revealed that Russell's character is named Zorri Bliss. Nevertheless, that hasn't stopped fans from speculating about Mara being introduced before the conclusion of the Skywalker Saga. But is it possible that she will be one of the major characters who will lead the next Star Wars Trilogy.
A new report suggests that Disney and Lucasfilm already know what they want to happen in the follow-up to the Skywalker Saga. The next Star Wars movies could reportedly focus on Mara Jade and the studios are already looking for an actress to play the character. Interestingly, it was revealed that there are plans to cast Emily Blunt as Mara in the next trilogy. In addition to that, Mara could be the one character that will continue to connect the Skywalker Saga to the new series of movies.
It is believed that Star Wars Episode 9 will ultimately confirm that Luke Skywalker got married after the events in Return of the Jedi. While Mara Jade might not appear in the film, some believe that Luke's wife will be mentioned, revealing she set off to train young people to become Jedi. There is a possibility that Rey will try to find Mara and her own Jedi temple in the trilogy. However, these are still based on speculations so it is best to take it with a grain of salt.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters on December 20.
