Summary
Immortality inStar Warsis a little-known secret that keeps fan-favorites alive onscreen. However, Force reincarnation may be the better alternative. Characters such as Emperor Palpatine and Mother Talzin have learned a form of immortality that either extends their natural lifespan, allowing them to evade death. The witches even have a spell for resurrecting the dead as zombies. Other powerful Force-sensitives have learned to become Force ghosts by embracing death and retaining their individuality.
Reincarnation through the Force, on the other hand, is a means of achieving immortality in a different way. InStar Wars, reincarnation involves the dead passing on their will to another living being. This was illustrated in the connection between a living wolf and a certain fallen Jedi inStar Wars Rebels.
Star Wars Rebels' Dume Wolf
The animated series,Star Wars Rebels, explains how the fallen Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus-Dume was able to live on after death. The Jedi teach that after death, people become one with the Force. Certain Force-users have learned the secret to immortality after they’ve died by becoming Force-ghosts. Jedi Dume, however, did not become a Force-ghost.
Kanan’s will to guide and protect his friends was so strong that it’s likely his will was passed on to the wolf who shared the same name. Ahsoka explains this concept toEzra Bridgers inStar Wars Rebelsseason 4, episode 13. There were shared similarities between the wolf and Jedi Dume, such as the white mark on the wolf’s forehead being the same as the mark on Jarrus’ shoulder pad. These similarities indicate that the connection between the wolf and the fallen Jedi are more than coincidental. The implications for other strong-willed people, not just Force-users like Jedi and Sith, could lead to intriguing adventures and future battles.
How Force Reincarnation Works In Star Wars
InStar Warslore, the World Between Worlds is a plane that connects all of time and space. It is an illustrated metaphor of how the Force is also connected to all of time and space, as well as all life intheStar Warsuniverse. As people pass from the world of the living to the next, at least some aspects of them can be passed onto others, whether animals, people, or plant life. Those who possess a strong will can avoid becoming entirely one with the Force after death, by passing their Will onto another living thing.
Although it has not been detailed how this inheritance transpires, it’s likely that the one to be possessed has a weaker will, allowing the person with the stronger will to take over. The idea of animals possessing the will ofStar Wars’ notable characters could be an exciting new development for the franchise. Despite the ability of certain Force-sensitives to retain their consciousness and continue living as a Force-ghost, Force-reincarnation is an opportunity to imagine these characters in new ways, while giving them the opportunity to have a greater impact on the world of the living.
How Reincarnation Gives Animals A Greater Role In Star Wars
This underutilized aspect of the Force can change the tides ofbattles between Jedi and Sith. Because Force reincarnation allows for potentially fallen Jedi to have an impact on the physical plane, animals can be featured more to aid Jedi or Rebels in their fight against the Dark Side and Empire.Ahsokahas shown how animals, even without possessing the will of another, can play a significant role in stories. Reincarnation creates an opportunity for Jedi and other characters to continue to live onscreen in different ways.
Characters whose real-life actors have passed can also take advantage of Force-reincarnation through animals. It isn’t clear yet how or if Baylan Skoll, for instance, will continue to be portrayed onscreen after the passing of Ray Stevenson. The filmmakers could leverage Force reincarnation in a storyline in whichBaylan Skoll has died, but his will lives on through one of the animals on Peridea. Knowing that there are Force-sensitive creatures inStar Warsfurther reinforces the idea. It’s an unexpected twist and fresh layer of conflict between the Jedi and Sith, or other Force-sensitives. Morgan Elsbeth’s demise at the hands of Ahsoka occurred too soon. But her potential reincarnation as an animal could spell more trouble for Ahsoka and Sabine.
Reincarnation inStar Warsthrough the inheritance of strong-willed Force-users could usher in fresh storylines. These might revolve around internal conflicts within possessed people, or external conflicts between people and animals possessing the will; for instance, of a Jedi or Sith. Having a variety of Force-reincarnated characters to complicate or aid in situations inStar Warsinvites thrilling encounters between characters who never occupied the same time or space before. Force reincarnation through animals wouldn’t require expensive cameos by actors to portray Force ghosts, and the concept can give Force-sensitive animals a more significant role to play onscreen inStar Wars.
