With the upcoming Mandalorian movie on the horizon, there has been much speculation about whether Star Wars will bring Princess Leia Organa back to the franchise or not, as well as what role she could play. Considering the reference to her character in Ahsoka and Luke Skywalker’s appearances in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, it’s possible that Leia could make an appearance herself, potentially played by another actress after the passing of the late Carrie Fisher. The references to Leia make her absence weigh heavily, and it’s difficult to imagine a potential showdown against Grand Admiral Thrawn taking place without both of the Skywalker siblings involved.
Since Leia really hasn’t been shown on screen during this New Republic Era, viewers have little to go on when it comes to theorizing about her potential role in upcoming projects. The closest offered are her mentions in Ahsoka, which hopefully imply an upcoming return for General Organa. There are, however, plenty of opportunities for Leia to make a return to the galaxy in a new Star Warsmovie – and these are 9 different ways that she could be involved in the upcoming Mandalorian movie.
9 Leia Could Oversee The Military Against Thrawn
Thrawn And His Military In Ahsoka
At the end of the Ahsoka series, Grand Admiral Thrawn was set loose into the Star Wars’ home galaxy. Not only is he a threat large enough to bring back the Empire, but he is no easy target to capture. Defeating Thrawn is going to take overwhelming military might, and with Leia’s strategic mind and place in the New Republic. she would be the perfect candidate to oversee military operations against him.
8 Leia Could Be One Of Grand Admiral Thrawn’s Targets
Grand Admiral Thrawn Jumps To Hyperspace In The Ahsoka Finale
Because Thrawn is such an expert military strategist with eyes inside the New Republic, it makes sense that he would have information not only on Leia, but on the entire Senate. Leia is an incredibly important founding member of the New Republic, and without her leadership, the fledgling organization would be in shambles, as would her family. It makes sense that Thrawn would target her, either to be captured or killed, in order to strike a deadly blow to the New Republic.
7 Leia Could Support Hera Against The Senate
Hera At Her Defense Hearing In Ahsoka
During the Ahsoka TV show, Hera stood up to the New Republic Senate and went against their direct orders to help Ahsoka reach Thrawn, Sabine, and Ezra in another galaxy. At the hearing, C-3PO arrived to announce Leia’s support for Hera, though her absence in the show was mainly due to the fact there simply is no actress who has been chosen to play the role of Leia Organa. If Leia were to appear in the movie, she could continue this support of Hera, more than likely allowing her to continue operating as a general under her jurisdiction.
6 Leia Could Be A Mentor Figure To Jacen Syndulla
Jacen Syndulla In Ahsoka
Now that it has been proven that Jacen Syndulla is Force-sensitive, just like his father Kanan Jarrus, it is more than likely that somewhere down the line, he is going to need a mentor to teach him the ways of the Force. The most obvious choice is Luke Skywalker, as he’s already started to construct his own Jedi Temple on Ossus – as seen in The Book of Boba Fett. It could, however, be Leia, as she has presumably trained with Luke by this point and even has her very own lightsaber. With her connections to Hera and incredible wisdom, she may be an even better mentor figure than Luke.
5 Leia Could Act As A Foil To Luke Skywalker
Leia Organa And Her Brother Luke Skywalker
Even though Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa are twins, the two of them have very different personalities and ways of approaching problems. Now that he has trained in the ways of the Force, Luke is much more powerful, but he still falls into the trap of thinking there is only one way to do things. Leia can be much more open and strategical, but she can also be hot-headed. The two of them balance each other out well, and there could be many moments to see this play out in the upcoming Mandalorian movie.
4 Leia Could Lead Alderaanians Against The Empire
Cara Dune In The Mandalorian
When Cara Dune was brought into the story of The Mandalorian as an ex-shock trooper and Alderaanian native, the series re-introduced Alderaan to the story in a big way. Although the planet no longer exists, there are still people from Alderaan all across the galaxy willing to fight. Although Cara Dune’s actress, Gina Carano, has been fired from all Star Wars projects, it doesn’t mean Leia can’t potentially lead a force of Alderaanians against the Empire. Not only would this serve as justice for the destruction of the planet, but it would also bring catharsis to a plot point from the early years of Star Wars.
3 Leia Could Be Shown As The Mother Of Ben Solo
A Younger Ben Solo In The Last Jedi
By the time The Mandalorian season 3 and Ahsoka take place, Leia’s son Ben Solo would already have been born. Ben Solo was born to Leia Organa and Han Solo 4 years before The Mandalorian, and because of this, it’s possible that Ben Solo himself could be included as a character in the movie. Showing the child that would grow up to become Kylo Ren at a very young age would create an even greater impact upon the future Star Wars galaxy.
2 Leia Might Be Captured By Thrawn
Leia Captured By The Empire In A New Hope
Despite the fact that Leia is no damsel in distress, there is a possibility that she might be captured by Thrawn for the movie, prompting the rest of the story’s heroes to stage a rescue mission. This wouldn’t be the first time she has needed rescuing, as Leia was put in a similar situation both in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope and when she was young in the series Obi-Wan Kenobi. She has, however, been known to do some rescuing of her own, such as the time she helped to save Han Solo from carbonite and herself from Jabba the Hutt’s palace in Star Wars: Episode VI – The Return of the Jedi. Thus, it’s also possible she could be on the other side of things as well.
1 Leia Could Be A Jedi Like Her Brother
Leia Holding Her Lightsaber In The Rise Of Skywalker
In Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, it was revealed that Leia not only trained with her brother to become a Jedi, but she also built her own lightsaber. Although she showed her ability to wield the Force in the sequel Star Wars trilogy, these moments were few and far between. Seeing a Leia who is not only more in touch with the Force, but also actively using it to stop the Empire from resurfacing, would be an incredible sight – one that sets a precedent for the Star Wars character going forward. It could also add yet another Jedi character to the Mandalorian movie cast, further helping to build a bridge of long-lasting peace between the Mandalorians and Jedi of this era.
