“Star Wars” films and series on the horizon will not feature the Expanded Universe. Characters that became beloved through a number of novels were launched into oblivion, only to resurface later — such as Grand Admiral Thrawn, who first appeared in “Star Wars Rebels” and subsequently in live-action with “Ahsoka.”
Thrawn’s debut seemed to pave the way for lesser-known characters, prompting fans to hope for the return of the M.V.P. of the E.U., Mara Jade, introduced 35 years ago. Currently, this character remains unfamiliar to casual “Star Wars” viewers – and Lucasfilm intends to maintain that status. At MegaCon, “Star Wars” novelists Claudia Gray and Timothy Zahn disclosed they had suggested reintroducing Mara Jade, but their proposal was rejected. “A couple of times I was like, ‘Really? No Mara Jade?’ And they were like, ‘Nope,'” Gray recounted (via Popverse). Zahn further mentioned he inquired about the character, receiving a reply that was “somewhere between ‘no’ and ‘absolutely not.'”
But for those not in the know, who is Mara Jade, and why is she a character that the higher-ups behind “Star Wars” are eager to sidestep? Considering she was a long-time love interest of Luke Skywalker, a character who is no longer alive, it would be extremely challenging.
