Starkiller could be the perfect symbol of modern Star Wars – a character who’s powerful, raw, and full of complex motivations.
He’s got that gritty edge that fans love, with the potential to bring real emotional stakes and depth to the story.
By adapting his intense style and balancing his powers with a grounded role, Starkiller could bridge classic Star Wars action with the nuanced storytelling today’s fans have come to expect.
He’s the kind of character who could challenge the light and dark divide, adding fresh energy to the galaxy.
Table of Contents
1. Starkiller as a Unique and Powerful Inquisitor
The idea of Starkiller as an Inquisitor makes sense, especially given how Star Wars has evolved in terms of dark-side operatives.
The Inquisitorius, the group of Jedi-hunters working under Darth Vader, is already well established in canon, particularly through Star Wars Rebels and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Now, while these Inquisitors are loyal to the Empire, they’ve never posed a true threat to Vader himself. But Starkiller could.
Imagine Starkiller as the “First Brother,” a level above the others, even handpicked by Vader to do more than just hunt Jedi.
Starkiller could be used as an enforcer of Vader’s personal will, operating with more independence.
This setup lets him be more powerful than your standard Inquisitor but still keeps him under Vader’s watch. It also aligns with Vader’s contempt for the Inquisitors, who he often finds unworthy and disposable.
Having a single, highly skilled apprentice under his wing would give him a reliable asset while still controlling the broader Inquisitorius as a tool.
And here’s the beauty of it: Starkiller’s role as a powerful inquisitor opens up possibilities for a dark mirror of Ahsoka.
While Ahsoka operates outside the Jedi Order, Starkiller could represent a similar, rogue dark-side presence, allowing for a fascinating “apprentice vs. apprentice” storyline.
A showdown between Ahsoka, representing a Jedi on her own terms, and Starkiller, who serves a darker purpose, could add real tension and character depth.
2. Adjusting Starkiller’s Power to Fit Canon
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Starkiller’s powers. In The Force Unleashed, his abilities were off-the-charts powerful.
We’re talking about pulling a Star Destroyer from the sky and force-pushing entire battalions. This was fun in the game, but bringing it straight into canon would create a power imbalance.
In modern Star Wars, power scales need to be consistent for the stakes to feel real.
For example, Darth Vader is still one of the most powerful beings in the universe, and having an apprentice even close to his level would definitely impact the narrative.
If Starkiller’s abilities are toned down, he could still be extremely skilled without overshadowing Vader or Palpatine.
Think about him as a deadly, talented Inquisitor who can handle dangerous missions, clean up Jedi that other Inquisitors fail to eliminate, and survive in tough situations.
This power level would still make him a formidable presence, particularly for characters like Cal Kestis or Ahsoka, without breaking canon.
Reducing his power slightly doesn’t make him any less compelling; instead, it lets him operate within the framework of modern Star Wars, keeping the balance of power intact.
3. Starkiller’s Redemption Arc and Potential for a Rebel Storyline
One thing people loved about Starkiller in The Force Unleashed was his journey from dark side assassin to reluctant rebel.
His character arc hit hard for a lot of fans because he wasn’t just another power-hungry dark-sider; he had emotional depth, loyalty, and a compelling inner conflict.
Bringing Starkiller into canon could explore a similar redemptive path, but with a few adjustments to avoid contradicting current canon, especially around the founding of the Rebellion, which has already been explored in Star Wars Rebels and Andor.
Instead of tying Starkiller directly to the formation of the Rebellion, he could serve as a secret asset or even a wild card – someone who defected but operates outside the official Rebel network.
Perhaps he still aids the cause, indirectly contributing by taking out critical targets, disrupting Imperial operations, or even having a personal vendetta that just happens to align with the Rebellion’s goals.
This lets Starkiller keep his redemption arc while giving his actions a bit more autonomy, which preserves his complex loyalties and respects the larger canon storyline.
His journey could still end in sacrifice, just like in The Force Unleashed, perhaps saving a key Rebel figure or aiding a critical mission.
Imagine a storyline where Starkiller chooses to turn against Vader, knowing the risks, and in doing so, he secures a small but vital victory for the Rebel cause.
This kind of ending would resonate with fans and give Starkiller the arc he deserves, even if his role in canon isn’t as central as it was in Legends.
4. Sam Witwer’s Return as Starkiller or a Starkiller-Inspired Character
Let’s face it, part of Starkiller’s appeal is Sam Witwer’s portrayal.
Witwer brought a raw intensity to the character, balancing Starkiller’s aggressive, dark-side nature with moments of vulnerability.
Fans are eager to see him back in Star Wars, and he’d be the ideal choice for any Starkiller adaptation, whether he reprises the role or plays a Starkiller-inspired character with a similar arc.
At the same time, we have to consider practicalities.
Witwer is no longer the young apprentice he played in The Force Unleashed, so an aged-up version of Starkiller could work, or perhaps even a new character that draws on Starkiller’s traits but exists independently within the canon universe.
Imagine Witwer as a “Gray Jedi” type character, someone who once walked the dark path but now operates somewhere in between, offering wisdom and power while refusing allegiance to either the Jedi or the Sith.
This kind of role would be perfect for Witwer and would still let fans experience the spirit of Starkiller without forcing his exact storyline into the canon.
5. Exploring a Standalone or Alternate Canon Format
If the complexities of weaving Starkiller directly into the canon prove too tricky, there’s always the option to explore his story in an alternate format, like Star Wars: Visions.
Visions allows for wild “what if” stories, unrestricted by canon, where Starkiller’s power levels and storyline could be unleashed without consequence.
A non-canon series would give fans everything they loved about Starkiller in The Force Unleashed – from intense Force abilities to his conflicted loyalty – while keeping the main storyline undisturbed.
This approach would provide a safe space for fans to enjoy a more “authentic” Starkiller experience without adjusting the Star Wars timeline.
Starkiller could appear as his true, game-level self, taking on massive threats, displaying his Force mastery, and following a narrative that dives deep into his dark and redemptive arcs.
Essentially, this lets us enjoy Starkiller for everything he was meant to be, without having to fit him into the current canon mold.
In short, Starkiller could totally fit modern Star Wars, but it would take a delicate touch.
Whether it’s as a powerful Inquisitor, a redeemed antihero, or a one-off non-canon character, there’s room for him if Lucasfilm is willing to make some adjustments.
At the end of the day, Star Wars is about complex characters, compelling arcs, and exploring new dimensions of good and evil.
And with a few tweaks, Starkiller could easily carve out his place in the galaxy far, far away.