Ahsoka brought back Jacen Syndulla (Evan Whitten), the son of Hera (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), adding him to the list of animated characters who have leaped into live-action. Jacen’s time on the show was brief but carries significant implications for his future in the Star Wars franchise. Jacen debuted in the epilogue of the final episode of Star Wars Rebels, giving viewers little time to process the character’s introduction.
Ahsoka: Who is Jacen Syndulla? The Son of the Rebellion?
While he hasn’t appeared in other narratives since, Ahsoka now has the opportunity to define Jacen Syndulla for the first time and potentially establish his future as a Jedi.
After just one scene, Ahsoka has already raised more questions about Jacen Syndulla than are answered. His relationship with some characters is clear, while with others it’s only hinted at, and he has yet to interact with other Rebels heroes. It’s also uncertain whether creator Dave Filoni plans to use Jacen in another project or if he will play a role in more Ahsoka episodes. Hera’s reluctance, due to Mon Mothma and the New Republic senators, combined with her apparent fear, makes this unlikely. However, reviewing Jacen Syndulla‘s history thus far may offer clues about what awaits the character.
Jacen Syndulla is the Son of Hera and Kanan Jarrus?
Alongside Hera Syndulla, Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus was a main character in all four seasons of Star Wars Rebels. The two met years before the series began and eventually formed Ghost Team, which included Chopper, Zeb Orrelios, Sabine Wren, and Ezra Bridger. Although they both had strong feelings for each other, they never admitted them aloud, as they were both committed to their fight against the Empire. Hera finally confessed her love to Kanan in Star Wars Rebels Season 4, Episode 10, “Jedi Night,” but Kanan died moments later while saving Ghost Team from an explosion.
Jacen Syndulla is portrayed by Evan Whitten, an actor who debuted in the short film Years Later in 2017. Whitten is known for his roles in Mona Lisa & the Blood Moon, Mr. Robot, Next, and The Resident, and has now joined the Star Wars galaxy. The future is surely bright for Whitten, given that Ahsoka is part of the lead-up to Dave Filoni’s next Star Wars film.
Unbeknownst to Hera and Kanan, she was already pregnant with their child, which led to Jacen Syndulla‘s first appearance in the epilogue of Star Wars Rebels. The series concludes in 1 BBY, shortly before the start of the original trilogy in 0 BBY, and then the epilogue jumps several years into the future.
The Mandalorian and its spin-offs take place approximately five years after Return of the Jedi, making Jacen roughly ten years older than Ahsoka. This offers an interesting parallel with other Star Wars characters, including Anakin Skywalker at the beginning of the prequel trilogy and Leia Organa in Obi-Wan Kenobi, who were of a similar age when they embarked on their first great adventures.
Jacen Syndulla‘s father may have possessed great Force power, but his mother did not, so it remains to be seen whether he is Force-sensitive. A Force-sensitive parent can pass on their abilities to their children, as seen in the powerful members of the Skywalker family, but most Jedi never have children.
The ancient Jedi Order primarily consisted of Force-sensitive children of non-Force-sensitive parents, indicating that the Force is not entirely dependent on biology. Of course, Sabine is training to be a Jedi despite her lack of Force prowess, making it highly likely that Jacen will pursue the path of a Jedi regardless of whether he has Force sensitivity.
Ahsoka: Jacen Syndulla‘s Jedi Future?
Even if Jacen Syndulla is Force-sensitive, his future as a Jedi is uncertain. Hera has understandable reasons to worry about her son becoming a Jedi, as she already lost his father to the Empire. Just days later, she watched Ezra disappear into uncharted space, and Ahsoka’s Episode III confirms that she spent years searching for him. Hera may be proud of her son and his desire to be a Jedi, just as she was of Kanan and Ezra, but she can only bear to lose so many people she loves. It makes sense that she fears the Jedi Order will lead Jacen to his death, which raises another problem if he follows this path.
Luke Skywalker rebuilt the Jedi Order on Ossus, only for his students to be killed by Ben Solo when he fell to the dark side. This means that any Force-sensitive individual who trains under Luke is at risk of being killed, and while the audience knows this, the characters in Ahsoka do not. Since Grogu returned to Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) in The Book of Boba Fett, Jacen could become Luke’s first student at the Jedi Temple, but this would end in tragedy if he remained in the Order. The only other characters who could train Jacen are Ezra, if he returns, or Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson), but she has already demonstrated her unwillingness.
Din Djarin asked Ahsoka to train Grogu during his search for a Jedi, but she refused and advised him to find someone else. Her experience with her master, Anakin Skywalker, showed her that emotional bonds could lead Force users to the dark side, and she was unwilling to take that risk. Jacen has now formed a strong emotional bond with his mother, and after Ahsoka’s first attempt to train Sabine, it is unlikely she will volunteer to train him. Jacen Syndulla‘s fate as a Jedi may be uncertain, but Ahsoka has confirmed that the son of Hera and Kanan has a future in Star Wars.