Mileage may vary when it comes to movies or series focused on a single popular character from theStar Warsuniverse.Solo: A Star Wars Story(2018) flew a little too close to the twin suns. The ambitious project recast Han Solo, and even featured a cameo from Darth Maul, but it also led Lucasfilm (and Disney) to scrap plans Boba Fett- and Obi-Wan Kenobi-helmed movies. And while both characters went on to star inThe Book of Boba FettandObi-Wan Kenobiseries respectively, the fluctuating quality of both shows proved that not everyStar Warsstory needs to be told — even if fans are clamoring for it.
So, are there any storied characters fromStar Warslore that deserve a solo series? Recently, Jedi Master Yoda received a solo series — in comic book form. Undoubtedly, Yoda (voice of Frank Oz) is one of the most recognizable and belovedStar Warscharacters ever written, and not just because of his signature speech pattern and unmistakable green ears. Whatthe legendary Jedi Masterreally has going for him, in terms of being a great solo series selection, is all the history he has borne witness to — 9 centuries of galactic history, to be precise. Surely, he must have some stories to tell.
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Will Yoda Return?
The problems with bothThe Book OfBoba FettandKenobican be distilled into a single, underlying truth: There wasn’t enough story worth exploring. That became clear whenThe Book Of Boba FettbecameThe MandalorianSeason 2.5, and when episodes ofObi-Wan Kenobiretreaded the same emotional beats until Kenobi and Vader finally clashed lightsabers again. When it comes to a Yoda-centric series, though, the possibilities are endless, given just how much the Jedi Master lived through.
In late 2022, Marvel Comics debuted a miniseries canon comic,Star Wars: Yoda, that’s set to finish its run in mid-to-late 2023. Split into four story arcs, the premise is simple: Yoda spends his days in isolation on Dagobah, awaiting the fateful arrival ofLuke Skywalker(as seen inThe Empire Strikes Back) and reflecting on his life’s many adventures — and lessons learned. This narrative structure allows the comic to trace Yoda’s life from the days of the High Republic to the mayhem of the Clone Wars to the rise of the Empire.
In the first story arc, a younger (well, relatively speaking) Yoda answers a distress call from a distant planet, and tries to help the people there rebuild. The second arc, set years before the Clone Wars, finds Yodateaching the next generation of Jedi younglingsalongside then-Jedi Master Dooku. The third is set during the Clone Wars, pitting Yoda against the menacing General Grievous. While not much is known about the fourth arc yet,Star Wars: Yodabarely scratches the surface on all the stories to be told about the titular Jedi.
Even better, Yoda’s story is also the story of the Republic — its risethrough its fall. Centering stories on the Jedi Master allows fans to experience more of theStar Warsuniverse through a familiar lens. They already care about Yoda, and know him; all the world-building is a cherry on top. This would allow creatives behind a would-be Yoda show or movie to innovate and imagine. While there is a general way the Sabacc cards must fall, the times of the High Republic haven’t been fully fleshed out in the currentStar Warscanon, especially not on screen.
Was Yoda Wrong? A Flawed Jedi Master He Is
In addition to the wealth of story available, what also makes Yoda a compelling candidate for a solo series is that he’s deeply flawed. That’s somethingStar Wars hasn’t been too keen to loudly admit, though viewers are givenglimpses of the Jedi’s regrets and guilt. Still, Yoda’s line of thinking — that the Light Side is absolutely good, and the Dark Side is absolutely bad — doesn’t seem incredibly wise, when followed to a certain conclusion.
While Lucasfilm’s Story Group has backed the idea that any ounce of Dark Side corrupts goodness absolutely, that isn’t a realistic point of view on morality, or humanity. Some of the best Jedi make choices counter to the instruction of the Jedi Council:Qui-Gon Jinnis something of a maverick, stepping in to help people in need even if the Council doesn’t task him to do so. Obi-Wan, meanwhile, forms attachments to those around him, fromDuchess Satine Kryzeto his so-called “brother,” Anakin. Yoda has come to represent the ethos that balance doesn’t mean finding a way for the good and bad to both exist, but that the Light Side must overcome.
By the time viewers meet Yoda inStar Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace, he’s the leader of the Jedi Council, revered for his wisdom and Force abilities. (Obi-Wan, of course, set this up inEmpire, convincing a disbelieving Luke that it’s worth staying on Dagobah with the peculiar Yoda.) InAttack of the Clones, fans learn more about Yoda’s backstory — in the very least, that he “failed” Dooku, who becomes the villainous Darth Tyranus. It’s the first glimpse viewers get of Yoda’s ability to fail, to be wrong.
So, Will There Ever Be A Yoda Series?
While he evadesOrder 66 and the Jedi purge, Yoda is unable to best Darth Sidious in combat at the end ofRevenge of the Sith. Worse yet, he didn’t realize the darkness clouding his judgment and senses was emanating from Chancellor Palpatine, leader of the Galactic Senate and supposed ally to the Jedi Council. In a sense, Yoda even failed Anakin Skywalker, contributing to his dark headspace inEpisode III. Ever-skeptical of the boy, Yoda wasn’t interested in startingAnakin’s training, and kept him at arm’s length. Though he felt Anakin might be the one prophesied to bring balance to the Force, he clearly feared the boy’s power — and vulnerability.
Sure,Lucasfilm shows no sign of budgingon its outlook on the Force — George Lucas himself devised this viewpoint — but maybe there’s a chance to explore the Jedi Council’s quiet culpability in the fall of the Republic, and the rise of the Empire. Yoda would be the perfectly flawed, yet undeniably beloved, character to explore this through.
For now, it doesn’t seem like there’s a Yoda series on the horizon. Thanks to the success ofThe MandalorianandAndor,Star Warsis making more space for new characters,and those who aren’t Jedi, to take center stage. For now, viewers can enjoy the air of mystery surrounding Yoda, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the legendary Jedi Master cast as a series lead in the future.
