It seems Lucasfilm is sitting on an idea for anInjustice-style series where a classicStar Warscharacter turns evil. In the past, before George Lucas sold Lucasfilm to Disney,Star Wars’Expanded Universe of books and comics had non-canonical stories that were just for fun, reimagining and exploring alternate versions of the galaxy far, far away in some really fascinating ways. While the same can’t be said in the post-Disney era, perhaps that could one day change with this proposed series.
In the iconic video games from NetherRealm and popular comics by Tom Taylor set in the same universe,the world ofInjusticesaw Superman turning dark and evilfollowing the death of Lois Lane and their unborn child. Having deceived and manipulated Kal-El into killing his own family, Joker was murdered by Superman before the Man of Steel enforced his will onto the entire world, leading an oppressive regime in the name of protection and security, which subsequently divided the DC superhero community into two main factions at war.Now, it’s recently been revealed that Lucasfilm was pitched a similarInjustice-style story forStar Wars.
Tom Taylor Once Pitched An Idea For An Injustice-Style Star Wars Series
Where A Classic Galactic Hero Turns Evil Like Superman
While responding to a fan’s question on Twitter/X about what character he’d use in aStar Warsversion ofInjustice, legendary comic book writerTom Taylor refused to answer whichStar Warshero he’d turn evilin a theoretical series and which character that hero would kill.However, the reason why Taylor neglected to answer is equally surprising as it is exciting:
Remarkably, it seems as though Tom Taylor was way ahead of this fan’s question with the reveal that he had already pitched a similar idea to Lucasfilm Publishing. Without a doubt, anInjustice-inspired alternateStar Warsgalaxy would be fascinating, though itwouldbe a first for the Disney-ownedStar Warsfranchise. Unlike Marvel Studios, which has its animatedWhat If…?series and upcomingMarvel Zombiesspin-off,Star Warshas yet to explore any kind of alternate timeline with an Elseworlds or What If…?-type project. However, that wasn’t always the case.
A Non-Canon Injustice Star Wars Series Doesn’t Sound All That Crazy
In the pre-Disney era,Star Warscomics had some great explorations into alternate timelines that were non-canonical to the mainStar Warscontinuity. This includes series' likeStar Wars Taleswhich had their fair share of non-canon stories like Darth Vader dueling Darth Maul,Indiana Jones discovering Han Solo’s remainsafterThe Millennium Falconcrashed on Earth centuries prior, and even more comedic stories like a Judge Judy-inspired one-shot where Han Solo was put on trial for shooting Greedo.
However,Star Wars Infinitieswas a true alternate series, imagining how theStar Warstimeline would change if Luke Skywalker missed the exhaust port at the end ofA New Hope, if Luke had frozen to death on Hoth inThe Empire Strikes Back, or even how something as innocuous as C-3PO not being able to translate for Jabba the Hutt leads to major deviations inReturn of the Jedi’stimeline. This was also the series that notably saw an alt-timeline where Darth Vader was redeemed back to the light earlier with a set of white armor, as well as Princess Leia being corrupted to the dark side of the Force.Keeping that in mind, a modernInjustice-inspiredStar Warsseries doesn’t sound all that crazy.
Which Star Wars Hero Should Turn Evil?
Luke Skywalker, Yoda, or Mace Windu
Right off the bat, it’s easy to propose that Luke Skywalker should be the one to turn evil in anInjustice-typeStar Warsseries, showing what would have happened hadLuke killed his father and became the Emperor’s new dark side apprentice. That said, this was something that was indeed depicted in the Expanded Universe canon, years afterReturn of the Jediduring the original New Republic Era with theDark Empirecomic series. In it, Luke became temporarily corrupted as the reborn Emperor’s apprentice, having initially agreed to serve Palpatine in a bid to defeat the Sith Lord from within.
Similarly,there’s also potential for a story where Rey is indeed corrupted by the dark side as a new Sith Empress in an alt-Rise of Skywalker.She could become a vessel for Palpatine as he intended, leading the Final Order as those she once called allies struggle to survive its galactic assault with hundreds of Star Destroyers outfitted with planet-killing weapons. However, one could argue that while focusing on leading Skywalker protagonists turning bad is intriguing, perhaps it’s too easy.
Instead,it would be very exciting to see a potentialInjustice-style story where the tragic events of Order 66 push none other than Master Yoda to the dark side. Perhaps he’s victorious in his duel against Palpatine in the Galactic Senate Chambers, but only by tapping into the dark side’s power. This could result in the Grandmaster taking Sidious' place in his grief and newfound darkness.
Likewise, an alternateStar Warsstory whereJedi Master Mace Windu survivesRevenge of the Sithbut turns to the dark sidein the aftermath could also be fascinating.I would love a scenario where a darkened Mace Windu becomes pivotal in building a far darker resistance force against the Empire(perhaps alongside Saw Gerrera). At any rate, it should be obvious that this kind of idea has great potential.
All that being said, it needs to be remembered that Tom Taylor said he only pitched an idea and thatmaybeit could one day happen. Lucasfilm still has to give the green light, and who knows if they’re even interested in doing alternate timeline stories? It’s been over 10 years since Disney bought Star Wars,and it doesn’t look like they’ve been interested thus far. All the same, my fingers are definitely crossed for some time in the future.
