A new trailer for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor unveiled at The Game Awards 2022 introduced a new ally for Cal Kestis: Bode Akuna. An original character, Bode can be seen fighting clones alongside Cal in the trailer, and he even appears to save the Jedi’s life in one scene. However, very little else has been revealed about this new mysterious figure, meaning eager fans are left to speculate on who he might be and how he relates to Cal.Cal himself appears quite different in the trailer when compared to what he looked like in Jedi: Fallen Order. The Cal of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is five years older, but he looks as though he’s aged nearly double that with his beard and mature look. This may suggest that Cal has been through some rough patches over the past several years after the barely successful ending of Jedi: Fallen Order. Bode appears to be one of the few allies Cal has, as Cere Junda is the only member of his old crew who is confirmed to be returning with him in the new Jedi: Survivor trailer.Related: The Game Awards 2022: Every Big Announcement & New Game Reveal
Bode Akuna Is A Mercenary In Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Though EA Star Wars’ Jedi: Survivor YouTube trailer does not reveal much about Bode Akuna, much has been shared about him by EA and voice actors since then. According to Business Wire, who spoke with EA, Bode is a mercenary who allies himself with Cal. It’s not yet confirmed what the desert planet Cal visits in the trailer is, but if it’s Tatooine, considering Bode’s profession, it would make sense for them both to meet there. EA did not hint at the motives behind their partnership, but it appears it could be a simple one: friendship.
Bode Akuna & Cal Kestis Are Like Brothers In Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Cameron Monaghan – the actor who portrays Cal – has explained that Bode and the Jedi share the strong connection seen in the new Star Wars Jedi: Survivor trailer. In Entertainment Weekly, Monaghan said:
“We have a new character named Bode Akuna being played by Noshir Dalal, who is wonderful. He is a new ally to Cal, and they have a really great dynamic. They’re like brothers in arms who have similar trajectories in their life and have up to this point made some different decisions along the way, but I think they have a mutual respect and understanding for each other. Noshir did an incredible job with his performance and has some pretty show-stopping scenes, so I can’t wait for people to see what he does.”
There’s a lot to unpack with Monaghan’s quote. First and foremost, he suggests Bode and Cal have an almost strictly positive relationship with one another, as the two are comparable to brothers and respect each other. Second, the two have similar backgrounds, which may hint at a troubled past for Bode that mirrors Cal’s story as a Jedi survivor. It is very unlikely, however, that Bode can use the Force like Cal, as he dual-wields blasters in the trailer. Finally, Bode apparently has show-stopping scenes in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. While this could mean any number of things, it clearly points out that Bode will play an important role in some of the story’s moments and potentially in its most dramatic ones.
There’s still lots to be discovered about Bode and other non-Cal characters in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor before it comes out on March 17, 2023. The mercenary currently looks as though he will be a strong ally of Cal’s. However, there still exists the potential for him to betray the Jedi or fall victim to the Empire in some show-stopping scene.
Sources: EA Star Wars/YouTube, Business Wire, Entertainment Weekly, Noshir Dalal/Twitter
