In “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith,” we witness a moment: Palpatine’s execution of Order 66, marking the downfall of the Jedi Order and Anakin Skywalker’s turn to the dark side.
But let’s entertain a different scenario: What if Order 66 had failed?
Palpatine: “Execute Order 66.”
Clones: “Nope!”
Written and directed by George Lucas
A Quick Recall from the Canon Star Wars
A bit of fun with the idea, sure, but imagine a timeline in a parallel universe where, despite Palpatine’s command, Order 66 flops spectacularly right in front of the Jedi.
In “Star Wars Episode III,” Anakin Skywalker discovers that Chancellor Palpatine is the Sith Lord they’ve been hunting. He reports this to Jedi Master Mace Windu, setting off a chain of events that could have ended differently.
As Windu attempts to arrest Palpatine, Anakin, torn between loyalty to the Jedi and the promise of saving his wife, Padmé, betrays Windu. He succumbs to the dark side, swayed by Palpatine’s promise that only the dark side can save Padmé.
Palpatine then initiates Order 66, a command to exterminate all Jedi. Anakin, now Darth Vader, leads the attack on the Jedi Temple, killing everyone inside, including the younglings.
What If Order 66 Had Failed from the Start?
In this story, things happen a bit differently. The Jedi have been practicing to get better at using the Force, especially to feel the threat around them.
When Order 66 is enacted, esteemed Jedi Masters such as Plo Koon, Yoda, and Ki-Adi-Mundi detect the looming betrayal as the clones aim their weapons at them.
This warning helps many Jedi to survive Order 66. They fight back against the clones, but despite their skills and sensing the danger early, not all Jedi manage to escape.
After their confrontation with the clone troops, the Jedi Masters returned to the Jedi Council.
Meanwhile, Yoda senses the absence of Mace Windu and Anakin’s betrayal. Palpatine sends Anakin to Mustafar to eliminate the Separatists, and to prove Anakin’s loyalty.
Yoda sends Obi-Wan and Ki-Adi-Mundi to find Anakin and bring him to face justice.
Obi-Wan then tells Padmé what Anakin has done. Along with other Jedi leaders, they go to Mustafar to face Anakin.
At the same time, other Jedi Masters, including Plo Koon and Yoda, engage Emperor Palpatine in his office on Coruscant. In a decisive battle, they manage to defeat Palpatine, putting an end to his reign of terror.
On Mustafar, as Padmé attempts to reach out to Anakin, he lashes out, using the Force to choke her. This time, however, Ki-Adi-Mundi intervenes, preventing Anakin from harming Padmé.
Overwhelmed by the combined force of Obi-Wan, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and the arriving Jedi, Anakin is subdued and taken into custody.
Following these events, Anakin stands trial and is sentenced to life imprisonment for his crimes. Tragically, Padmé still dies in childbirth, leaving twins Luke and Leia, who are then raised under the guardianship of the Jedi Order.
This alternate ending to a familiar tale reimagines a galaxy where the Jedi foresee and prevent their doom, bringing peace back to the Republic.
Another fan fiction theory we’ve come across on YouTube, and you might find just as fascinating, imagine a universe where Order 66 doesn’t succeed against the Jedi Order.
