Re: Brie Larson Reportedly Talking With Lucasfilm About Mara Jade Role In Star Wars
Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 5:53 pm
Personally I think what makes Mara so popular is the that she's just a good character, on par with the Original Trilogy characters. She has a tragic past that rivals Vader's, the snark of Han, the resourcefulness and wit of Leia and the nobility of Luke. Honestly, while it's called the Thrawn Trilogy this Trilogy is really the story of Mara Jade as her arc and motives shape the events of the story more so then any other character, even the titular villain.mathewgsmith wrote: ↑Sat May 29, 2021 11:48 am I think a lot of Mara Jade's popularity is sheer seniority. There's been so many badass redheaded female warrior types in Star Wars now that it's a cliche, but Mara was there when The Thrawn Trilogy kicked off the EU as A Thing.
She is the only character to directly confront both Thrawn and C'baoth, it's her choice to go behind Karrde's back and her choice to rescue him that leads to Thrawn's downfall and she is the one to land the killing blow and C'baoth and she is the one who does the most to protect the Skywalker/Solo clan out of both villains reach.
I've mentioned before that I found Rey to be a rather weak character given her lack of flaws and character growth. It's very telling that after learning in The Last Jedi that Rey comes from nothing which, for Rey, should be the most devastating blow to her sense of self the next time we see her she's shooting tie-fighters with a huge smile like nothing happened. When Mara learns that Palpatine had lied to her and that he wasn't who she thought he was it starts a downward spiral that only ends once she excepts that her adoptive father was a terrible person who doesn't deserve her love and respect.
Rey has no such arc, she starts the Trilogy the same way she ended, a loner in the desert more interested in the past then the future. Mara grows as a character in TTT, she starts as someone who hates Luke and cares only for her revenge but at the end she comes to befriend Luke and finds a true family.
To make a long story short (to late) Mara Jade is a great character because she's allowed to be flawed and learn from her mistakes.