The Star Wars franchise is on the brink of a significant transformation concerning the nature of the Force, coinciding with the anticipated release of James Mangold’s film, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi. Despite the multitude of upcoming Star Wars projects, clarity surrounding which are actively in development has emerged, particularly through the announcements made by Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, reaffirming that Dawn of the Jedi and others are indeed in progress.
Palpatine’s Dark Insights Into The Force’s Origin
The Light Side’s Assumed Primacy May Not Hold True
Traditionally, lore within the Star Wars universe has indicated that the light side of the Force predates the dark side. While this notion has never been explicitly confirmed, it has often seemed intuitive that the darkness emerged as a reaction to the light, a cycle of conflict that is deeply ingrained in the fabric of the Force. However, recent narratives portray a different perspective.
In one revealing passage, Emperor Palpatine is depicted sensing a maleficent origin of the Force:
“The Emperor was convinced that something waited for him out there — some origin of the Force, some dark presence formed of malevolent substance. He said he could feel the waves of it radiating out now that the way was clear. The Emperor called it a signal — conveniently one that only he could hear. Even his greatest enforcer, Vader, seemed oblivious to it, and Vader also claimed mastery over the dark Force, did he not? Rax believed Palpatine had gone mad.”
This passage subtly implies that the origins of the Force may be intrinsically dark—so much so that only Palpatine could perceive it, leaving even Darth Vader unaware.
Ahsoka’s Revelation: The Dark Side’s Antiquity
The Nightsisters of Peridea’s Historical Significance
In the recent series Ahsoka, the introduction of the Nightsisters of Peridea further complicates the narrative surrounding the Force’s origins. It reveals that these dark side practitioners are historically significant, having existed prior to the Jedi. This suggests a timeline where the dark side predated the light, although arguments stand that other forms of light-side users may have existed but were not categorized as Jedi.
The presence of organized dark side users like the Nightsisters implies the potential necessity for light-side users to unify for balance. This raises fascinating questions about the origins of Force dynamics.
Reinforcement of Darkness in Star Wars Lore
Uncovering Ancient Truths: The Brotherhood of the Ninth Door
Another noteworthy narrative thread is found in the illustrated work related to Qui-Gon Jinn, which introduces the Brotherhood of the Ninth Door. This ancient cult, founded by Sarasti Thel, sought to unravel the deep mysteries surrounding the Force. Thel’s pursuit revealed perilous truths about the Force’s origins, which he sought to conceal, even from future generations.
Most interestingly, the Brotherhood diverged from the Jedi’s dualistic perspective, arguing:
“Unlike the Jedi, the Brotherhood does not see a distinction between the light and dark sides of the Force. To us, it is all just the Force, and as such, all of it might be harnessed for good or for ill.”
This alternative interpretation again emphasizes that darkness may have always been a fundamental part of the Force, challenging traditional Jedi lore.
Implications for James Mangold’s Film
Dawn of the Jedi: A New Understanding of the Force?
The depth of these narratives propels exciting prospects for Dawn of the Jedi. As the film aims to explore the establishment of the Prime Jedi, it inherently presents an opportunity to delve into the enigmatic origins of the Force. A pivotal question remains: Will the film illustrate the formation of the Jedi as a direct response to the darkness?
This line of inquiry remains speculative, yet the evidence increasingly suggests that the Force’s history is more complex than previously believed. Indeed, if dark side elements existed before the light or if, as the Brotherhood of the Ninth Door suggests, the Force may not be strictly divided, this could lead to groundbreaking revelations.
Regardless of the outcome, Dawn of the Jedi stands poised to redefine our understanding of the Force. Set further back in the Star Wars timeline than any project before, it promises to unveil significant insights regarding both the Jedi’s origins and the broader context of the Star Wars universe during that epoch.
As fans, we are left eagerly anticipating potential new dark side user factions and the revelations that await. If Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi indeed uncovers that darkness predated light, it will not only reshape our understanding of the Force but also illuminate vast untapped narratives within this beloved universe.