Starkiller’s Return in Andor: A Game-Changer for the Star Wars Universe!

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Summary

  • Andor Season 2 hints at reintroducing Starkiller from Star Wars Legends, potentially altering the Rebellion’s history.
  • Starkiller’s return could bring new power and depth to the Rebellion’s origin story, tied to Darth Vader.
  • Fans eagerly anticipate the potential reimagining of Starkiller, captivatingly portrayed by Sam Witwer in The Force Unleashed games.

In just under a month, the highly acclaimed recent addition to the Star Wars universe, Andor, is back for its second and final season. Following the thrilling first season that exposed various aspects of the Empire’s tyranny, such as its use of prison labor, fans have been anxiously waiting for showrunner Tony Gilroy’s concluding installment of the Rebellion. This finale could connect directly to the prequel of A New Hope, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, or it might wrap up its own story with a powerful conclusion. Given that Season 1 of Andor set such high expectations, viewers can expect to be satisfied with whatever unfolds in Season 2.

In Season 2 of this series, a subtle reference from Season 1 hints at the potential return of a character named Starkiller, who previously played a significant role in the Star Wars timeline. If he does reappear, it could significantly alter the backstory of the Rebellion, its origins, and the identities of its key founders. For those well-versed in the pre-Disney era of Star Wars, known as Star Wars Legends now, his return might be particularly gratifying. Other fans, new to Disney-Lucasfilm’s updated take on Star Wars, can hopefully appreciate this development as well.

In the fourth episode of Season 1 from the show “Andor,” titled “Aldhani,” some sharp-eyed viewers spotted a reference to a character in Luthen Rael’s antique shop, which is owned by an artifact collector and secret Rebel associate. In this shop, an armor piece similar to what Starkiller acquires if players choose the dark ending of “The Force Unleashed” game can be seen on display among various galactic relics in the background. Although this may just be a subtle nod to a well-regarded character from the Legends universe, it would seem foolish for Star Wars not to make use of him now, even if they’re struggling to find a way to incorporate his original narrative into the expanding timeline.

The Force Unleashed Story & Protagonist Explained

Who Is Starkiller?

Prior to the creation of both big and small-screen projects bridging the time gap between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, the video game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed played a significant role in depicting the Rebellion’s genesis. This narrative began with Darth Vader embarking on his mission to Kashyyk, where he pursued the last surviving Jedi who had evaded Order 66. After eliminating an outcast Jedi, Vader discovered he had a son: Galen Marek, a young boy with immense untapped Force abilities. Vader adopted the boy and trained him in the dark side of the Force without revealing Marek’s existence to either Darth Sidious or Emperor Palpatine. Around a decade later, Vader covertly tasked Marek, now known as Starkiller, with tracking down the remaining Jedi whom Vader had been unable to eliminate.

In the initial encounter, Starkiller strikes blindness upon General Rahm Kota, a leader of an autonomous resistance group, who foretells that their destinies are linked before being ejected from a rapidly moving spacecraft. Despite his doubts and unwavering resolve, Starkiller pursues Jedi further, accompanied by his training droid ally, Proxy, and their ship captain, Juno Eclipse. After several intense skirmishes, Starkiller receives a deadly ambush as a reward for his triumphs. Subsequently, he reports these victories to Vader, who then shares a first encounter with Darth Sidious in the room. The dark lord compels Vader to impale Starkiller with a lightsaber and throw him out of the ship, abandoning him presumed dead.

Far from the watchful gaze of Sidious, Vader works on reforming Starkiller, who secretly continues his mission as a rogue agent, targeting Jedi. Betrayed and conflicted by his father’s spectral presence urging him towards a more virtuous path within the Force, Starkiller embarks on a quest for understanding elsewhere. Eventually, he locates the now-blind and inebriated Rahm Kota. Together, they pull each other out of their emotional ruts and unite against the Empire, seeking allies to aid them. Through new encounters and trials, Starkiller comes to appreciate the righteousness and kindness of the resistance’s cause. This realization leads him towards the light side of the Force, while still retaining some formidable dark-side abilities such as force lightning.

In Starkiller’s final confrontation with Vader, players are presented with two distinct outcomes. One path allows Vader to survive, prompting a battle against Palpatine and ultimately leading to Starkiller’s heroic sacrifice. This pivotal moment sets the stage for the formation of the Rebellion led by Kota, Bail Organa, and Princess Leia. The alternative choice, which is considered non-canon, results in Starkiller killing Vader, a decision that leads to his friends’ demise at Palpatine’s hands, followed by his own capture, mutilation, and transformation into Sidious’ ruthless assassin. This armor last seen on Starkiller when he killed Luke Skywalker in the non-canon DLC of The Force Unleashed reappeared 14 years later in Ruthen Lael’s collection of antiques.

Why Starkiller Should Return

Starkiller Is Integral To the Rebellion’s Original Formation Story

Fans have been eagerly theorizing about the return of Starkiller for years, from speculation over his potential appearance in the “Jedi: Fallen Order” video game series to conjectures about his comeback via television. One of the most advanced and cherished characters in Star Wars Legends, there’s been a lot of anticipation for news on Starkiller’s possible return. If it’s true that Gilroy is planning to reintroduce Galen Marek/Starkiller in “Andor”, there are certain requirements to consider.

Galen Marek is deeply linked with Darth Vader and the Force. It’s crucial to establish this bond on screen to make Starkiller’s return significant. Whether he is Vader’s new apprentice as depicted in the games, a force-sensitive assassin or bounty hunter, or one of the Empire’s Inquisitors, he must be exceptionally powerful and have a strong connection with Vader for his story to be satisfying. If not, his return might seem awkward and fans may wish he had never returned at all.

In addition to the franchise favorite actor Sam Witwer, who voiced and modeled Marek’s character in the “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed” games, should also reprise his role as Marek. Thankfully, with Witwer’s ongoing contributions to the “Star Wars” universe through other projects like “The Clone Wars,” a comeback for him is likely if Marek makes an appearance again.

How Starkiller Could Fit Into Andor Season 2

The Rebellion Needs Friends, and Starkiller Could Be A Powerful One

At the end of Season 1, Andor joins the rebellion, and the trailers for Season 2 hint at a major battle. Considering this scenario, the group requires additional allies, creating an ideal opportunity for Starkiller to make his entrance into the Star Wars universe. The Empire oppresses countless beings to maintain its dominance over the galaxy, generating numerous adversaries who eventually regain their strength. Starkiller might be one such adversary. He could be depicted as the original test subject of the Imperial Inquisitorious, expelled due to his ungovernable emotions and premonitions, similar to the cloning narrative in the video game The Force Unleashed II.

In this scenario, he would develop a bond reminiscent of Anakin Skywalker’s relationship with Darth Vader, being forcibly separated from his family during childhood and trained under the original Force Unleashed narrative. This also establishes a link to the Inquisitorious program, which has lacked depth beyond an increasing number of Inquisitors. As he is drawn towards the light side, he could emerge as a formidable ally for the Rebellion, using his immense power, awe-inspiring presence, and interstellar connections to support Andor, Luthen Rael, Mon Mothma, and the Rebellion. This storyline might culminate in an epic confrontation with Darth Vader, though it’s possible that such a conflict will not be fully explored until future seasons of ‘Andor’.

As a devoted Star Wars enthusiast, I can’t help but ponder over the possibilities of how the universe might reintroduce the most formidable non-canonical lightsaber bearer, the legendary Galen Marek, also known as Starkiller. The Lord Starkiller armor Easter egg is a treasure that should never be overlooked. Starkiller’s influence on fans, the genesis of the Rebellion, and even Darth Vader’s storyline make it imperative for him to reappear in Star Wars TV. Whether or not Starkiller makes his comeback remains to be seen, but the hints dropped by Andor suggest a potential reintroduction like no other Star Wars-related content. Andor Season 2 is gearing up to be a thrilling climax of Tony Gilroy’s two-part resistance saga, promising fans an exhilarating blend of blaster fire and political turmoil.

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2025-03-27 00:37