As the Star Wars franchise continues to build out its post-Skywalker era, there’s renewed interest in a long-standing fan-favorite character who’s never appeared on screen: Mara Jade.Credit: LucasfilmA key figure in the now non-canonical Expanded Universe, Mara Jade was introduced in Timothy Zahn’s celebrated “Heir to the Empire” trilogy. First appearing as an elite assassin known as the Emperor’s Hand, Jade evolved into a Jedi Master and, in one of the franchise’s most memorable character arcs, became the wife of Luke Skywalker.But after Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, the studio rebranded the Expanded Universe as “Legends,” effectively sidelining Jade and many of her peers.Her story played out across numerous Star Wars novels and comics. Zahn’s trilogy—”Heir to the Empire” (1991), “Dark Force Rising” (1992), and “The Last Command” (1993)—tracked her transformation from a deadly operative into an unlikely ally of the Rebellion. Her relationship with Luke grew over time, culminating in their marriage in the “Hand of Thrawn” duology and the graphic novel “Union” (1999). Together, they had a son, Ben Skywalker. Jade’s arc came to a tragic close in “Sacrifice” (2007), when she was killed by her nephew, Jacen Solo.Credit: LucasfilmWhile Grand Admiral Thrawn’s legacy has been reimagined within Disney’s canon, Mara Jade has yet to reappear, though the door may finally be open.Thrawn, one of Zahn’s most iconic creations, was brought back into the fold by Dave Filoni through Star Wars Rebels. That reintroduction gained more momentum when Lars Mikkelsen reprised the role in the live-action Star Wars: Ahsoka series on Disney+. With Thrawn firmly established in canon once more, speculation continues to grow over whether Mara Jade will follow.Credit: LucasfilmWho Might Take On the Role of Mara Jade?Casting speculation for Mara Jade has been a hotbed of fan discussion for years, and one name that keeps resurfacing is Brie Larson. Reports going back years suggested that the Captain Marvel star had been in talks with Lucasfilm to portray the character. Larson also revealed that she auditioned for each film in Disney’s sequel trilogy but didn’t land a role in either J.J. Abrams’ or Rian Johnson’s entries.Other names fans have thrown into the mix include Elizabeth Olsen (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) and Karen Gillan (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3). Still, Larson’s existing ties to Disney and her long-documented love of Star Wars keep her in the conversation as a strong contender for the role.Credit: Marvel StudiosMeanwhile, recent rumors sparked even more speculation. According to entertainment scooper My Time to Shine Hello (via Comic Book Movie), Lucasfilm is said to be actively developing a Disney+ series focused on Mara Jade. While Disney has not confirmed such a project, a separate report suggests Zendaya (Euphoria, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Dune) has met with Lucasfilm, fueling questions about whether she could be considered for the role.There’s currently no evidence connecting the Zendaya report directly to Mara Jade, but her name entering the conversation has fans intrigued. Zendaya’s recent credits include Dune: Part Two (2024), Challengers (2024), and the upcoming third season of Euphoria. She’s also set to appear in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, opposite real-life partner Tom Holland.Credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel StudiosNow, more Mara Jade updates are gaining steam. Daniel Richtman has reported that Disney and Lucasfilm are still looking to bring Luke Skywalker’s wife into the Star Wars canon.“…many beloved characters like Darth Malak, Jacen Solo, and Kyle Katarn still remain locked behind the Legends branding, meaning they (and the stories they are associated with) are not considered part of the Star Wars canon,” The Direct reported earlier this month. “That could be changing for one name soon, though, as a new report suggested Luke Skywalker’s wife, Mara Jade, may be primed for canonization.”The outlet added: “Known insider Daniel Richtman shared the info for readers on his Patreon, writing that Lucasfilm reportedly wants to do something with Mara Jade in the canon Star Wars universe.”Credit: LucasfilmHow Mara Jade Could Fit Into the Mando-VerseDuring Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy confirmed the franchise would further explore the interconnected timeline of its Disney+ shows. Among the reveals was Dave Filoni’s upcoming feature film, which seemingly aims to merge characters from The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, The Book of Boba Fett, and the recent Skeleton Crew series in a major battle against Thrawn.Filoni’s film appears to draw heavily from Zahn’s “Heir to the Empire” storyline, making Mara Jade’s inclusion feel more plausible than ever. Her character’s deep connections to Thrawn, Palpatine, and Luke Skywalker make her a natural fit for a narrative of galactic proportions.Credit: LucasfilmThough the Mando-Verse film is still in development, Lucasfilm has shifted its immediate focus to The Mandalorian and Grogu, which is slated for release in 2026. Directed by Jon Favreau, the movie will bring Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin to theaters, with Sigourney Weaver joining the cast as Colonel Ward. The Bear star Jeremy Allen White will also appear as Rotta the Hutt.As for Mara Jade, her long-awaited debut could arrive in Ahsoka Season 2. Dave Filoni’s show is currently filming, with an expected release date sometime in 2026 after the opening of The Mandalorian and Grogu.Would you be excited to see Mara Jade finally appear in live-action? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments!The post Brie Larson or Zendaya? Luke Skywalker’s Wife Reportedly Coming to ‘Star Wars’ appeared first on Inside the Magic.