Star Wars Rebels: The Entire Galaxy Would Have Been Very Different If Kanan Had Lived

If Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus had survived Star Wars Rebels, the entire galaxy would be a very different place. Tragically, Kanan Jarrus (aka Caleb Dume) did not survive to witness the victory of the Rebel Alliance and the formation of the New Republic. In true Jedi fashion, he sacrificed himself to save others and secured a victory for his fellow rebel fighters. However, if he had survived that fateful day on Lothal, it could have drastically altered the Star Wars galaxy.

In Rebels season 4, episode 10 “Jedi Night,” Kanan, Ezra, Zeb, and Sabine launch a rescue mission to save a captured Hera from the Imperial Dome on Lothal. All almost goes to plan, with the Ghost crew successfully freeing Hera. Kanan and Hera even confess their love just before a disgruntled Governor Pryce orders stormtroopers to shoot the fuel pod they’re standing on. Kanan then sacrifices himself to hold back the flames long enough for his friends to escape – but what would have happened if Kanan had survived that night?

Would Kanan Have Remained A Jedi?

His Love For Hera Could Have Taken Him Down A Different Path

Jedi are forbidden to have attachments, and the last thing that Kanan did before holding back the flames was kiss Hera after she confessed her love for him. If he had survived, he would likely have continued to have a romantic relationship with her. While it goes against the Jedi Code, there are hints that, if he had survived, he would’ve continued to be a Jedi.

At the end of Rebels, it is revealed that Kanan is the father of Hera’s son, Jacen Syndulla. This means that, while Hera only officially told Kanan she loved him right before he died, they had been having a romantic relationship for some time before that. Throughout that time, Kanan remained a Jedi, despite his romantic attachment to Hera. This suggests that he would’ve continued to be one even if he had survived to become Hera’s partner and been able to raise his son.

Kanan Would Have Been Able To Help Train Luke Skywalker

Luke Needed A Guide Like Kanan For His Attachments

The Jedi Order and its strict rules are long gone by the time that Rebels begins. Luke Skywalker, having been trained by old-school Jedi Grandmaster Yoda, reinstated those strict rules in his new Order. However, if Kanan had survived, he could have had more influence on that new Jedi Order. After all, Kanan was a part of the Rebel Alliance. Not only that, but Kanan also met Leia Organa in Rebels season 2. He absolutely would have rubbed shoulders with Luke eventually. This meeting would likely have resulted in Kanan helping to train Luke as his Padawan.

If Kanan had been able to help train Luke, he could have set an example of how attachments can strengthen a Jedi. What makes Kanan a good Jedi is how he cares; he cares for his friends, his lover, and the Rebel Alliance. He cares in a selfless and self-sacrificial way, just as a Jedi should. He has attachments, but he doesn’t allow them to rule over him and drive him away from his principles. If Luke had seen an example of this in canon, he may have adapted the Jedi Code to allow attachments.

Luke was already primed for this. In The Empire Strikes Back, Luke goes against Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi’s wishes to rescue Han Solo and Leia Organa. He is told by his masters that giving in to attachments is dangerous, and he must let go of his friends. Luke, however, refuses to give up those he cares about, and becomes a better Jedi for it. If Luke had seen an example of a great Jedi who benefited from having attachments, it is possible that he would’ve been more comfortable adapting the Jedi Code.

Kanan Would Have Gone To Dagobah With Luke

Yoda & Kanan Already Had A History Of Their Own

Assuming that Ezra was still exiled, it’s likely that Kanan would’ve gone to Dagobah with Luke. Kanan knew Yoda from his childhood, and if he had taken Luke on as his Padawan, it’s almost guaranteed that he would’ve accompanied him to Dagobah to reunite with Yoda. Since Jacen is shown to be Force-sensitive in Ahsoka, Kanan likely would’ve jumped at the chance to have him trained by someone like Yoda. Hera may have stayed behind to help the Rebel Alliance, but it’s probable Kanan would’ve taken Jacen with him.

Given that Kanan is shown to be a caring person, he would’ve left Dagobah with Luke to save Leia and Han on Cloud City. He most likely would’ve taken Jacen with them against Yoda’s advice, or, given that Jacen is Kana’s son, Jacen probably would’ve snuck on board the ship with them even if Kanan had tried to leave him behind. Even though all three would’ve been trained by Yoda, their firsthand experience with attachments could’ve still resulted in Luke changing this rule in his new Jedi Order – especially if Kanan encouraged Luke to leave Dagobah to save his friends.

With Kanan and Jacen’s help, Luke would’ve had an easier time freeing Leia and Han. He may not have even lost his hand to Darth Vader, because he would have had another experienced Jedi with him – one who had confronted Vader before. While Han still would have been encased in carbonite, Luke and his team may have been able to intercept Boba Fett and his gunship before takeoff. The opening events of Return of the Jedi would have been completely different, then, as Han would have been freed much, much sooner.

Would Kanan Have Survived The Galactic Civil War?

The Jedi Would Still Have Met His Fate

Sadly, Kanan probably wouldn’t have survived the Galactic Civil War. When Hera is kidnapped, Kanan insists that Ezra be the one to plan the mission. He is self-aware enough to know that his emotions could impact his ability to come up with a good plan. As such, he probably would’ve insisted on going to Bespin in Luke’s place rather than both of them going together, and that would have pitted him directly against Darth Vader. There’s no doubt Vader would’ve killed him, since Vader didn’t have the same attachment to Kanan as he did to Luke.

Kanan’s same sacrifice, then, would have stood. Though it would have happened years later, Kanan still would have given his life for the sake of those he cares for – in this case, his Padawan. Even if Kanan didn’t die in Star Wars Rebels, he likely would have still repeated the same sacrifice of his death later on, as he would have continued to embrace the bravery and honor of a true Jedi.