Star Wars VII: Essential Characters And Who Should Play Them – PART I

4. Sigourney Weaver - Mara Jade Skywalker

Who: With the introduction of Timothy Zahn€™s Thrawn trilogy, the EU was born: although there had been other EU media prior to this, it was this trilogy of books that gave birth to the popularity that would become the expanded universe. And much of that popularity would come in the form of a character he would introduce known as Mara Jade. Jade was a former Hand of the Emperor: A Force user, but not a Sith due to the Rule of Two, that would do the Emperors bidding behind closed doors. Jade would go on to have a romance with Luke Skywalker and ultimate the two would get married and have a son. Mara Jade Skywalker is easily one of the most popular characters in the EU and its due time we see her brought to life on the big screen. Actress: This is by far my left field choice in Part I but hear me out. Based on the speculation that we see the original actors reprise their roles in Episode VII and assume it€™s going to be 30-years since the events of Return of the Jedi, Mara Jade would have to be cast as an older character. This is the only way that original actors could factor in to the equation. If Episode VII were taking place directly after the events of Return of the Jedi, I would have chosen a much younger and different actor for this role. Sigourney Weaver is no stranger to fanboy love with the Alien franchise and James Cameron€™s Avatar universe. I think Weaver would compliment Hamill well not only because of her on screen abilities but for the fact that they are close in age. They speak the same science fiction language and love the work that they do in the genre they represent. Don€™t get me wrong, I€™d love to see a younger, strong actress portray Mara Jade from earlier EU events but I think Weaver would be an excellent addition to the original three if they went with a later timeline.
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“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” - George Bernard Shaw