The Star Wars universe is enormous, spanning generations of characters, worlds, and lore. Yet even with dozens of shows and films, some characters still haven’t been given the spotlight they truly deserve. Whether they already exist in canon or are legendary fan favourites from books and games, here are five characters that need their own live-action series or movie. Please note, these are in no particular order.
1. Darth Vader
Yes, Darth Vader has featured heavily in Star Wars films, but not in the way he truly deserves. Most of his appearances are set in his later years, and aside from his moments in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, we’ve never properly seen the brutal, conflicted version of Vader in his early days as a Sith.
There’s so much untapped potential here. After Episode 3, Vader spent years hunting Jedi, adapting to a deliberately uncomfortable suit designed by Palpatine, and struggling with the loss of Padmé. These events have been touched on in comics and novels, but they’ve never been fully explored in live action, which is a shame.
That’s why a series, not a movie, would be ideal, as we’d get a lot more. Some may argue we’ve seen enough of Vader, but I’d say the opposite. A deep dive into his early years as a broken, enraged Sith would not only bring depth to the character but reignite excitement among casual and hardcore fans alike. He’s one of the most iconic figures in cinema history. Surprisingly, Disney hasn’t pulled the trigger on a dedicated project like this.
2. Darth Revan
How we STILL haven’t had a Revan-focused project is beyond me. A Jedi turned Sith turned Jedi again? That’s a trilogy in itself.
Revan’s entire story from the Mandalorian Wars, to his fall and redemption, to his rivalry with Darth Malak, is so fascinating, especially when you read into it. He’s powerful, complex, and operates in a morally grey area that, if done right, could be a massive hit. His arc is arguably one of the most compelling in all of Star Wars, and it offers a chance to explore a completely different era and a further chance to explore something else besides the Skywalker era.
While The Acolyte dives into the High Republic era, Revan’s story takes us even further back to the Old Republic, which could be an era full of creative freedom, ancient Jedi, massive wars, and lore. If I had to pick just one character from this list to get a series or movie? It would be Revan, hands down, without question.
Enjoy this reimagined fight between Revan and Malak;
3. Starkiller
Rumours are swirling that Starkiller may appear in Ahsoka Season 2, and if that’s true, it opens the door for something much bigger, but it does all depend on how they do it (if they do it).
Starkiller, the secret apprentice of Darth Vader, first appeared in The Force Unleashed games. He quickly became a fan favourite thanks to his immense power, complex story arc, and emotional conflict. Although he’s currently considered a Legends character (meaning he’s not part of official canon), fans have long called for his return, and Starkiller deserves that.
His story, turning from Vader’s secret apprentice/assassin to a selfless hero, would make for an incredible series. Sam Witwer, who voiced and modeled the character in the games, could still portray him in live-action. If Lucasfilm wants to reintroduce Starkiller with a slightly tweaked backstory that fits the canon, a series would be the perfect way to do it. I mean, they’d probably have to tweak it, let’s be honest. I can’t see them showing us Starkiller pulling another Star Destroyer down with sheer force…
4. Cal Kestis
Cal has already proven his worth through the Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor games, and there’s still one more entry left to complete his story. Played by Cameron Monaghan, Cal’s journey has resonated with fans, making him one of the strongest original characters introduced in recent years, especially in video game form.
There’s even been talk of Cameron reprising the role in live action, but nothing concrete so far. Between Fallen Order and Survivor, there’s a book (Battle Scars) that could easily be adapted into a film or miniseries. However, a live-action project might be best held until after the final game concludes, depending on Cal’s fate.
Regardless of how the trilogy ends, Cal has earned a place in the broader Star Wars universe. A series could bridge the gap between game events or continue his legacy in a powerful way.
5. Qui-Gon Jinn
This might be an unusual pick, but it shouldn’t be. Qui-Gon is one of the most fascinating Jedi in the prequel era, and yet we know surprisingly little about his early years unless you’ve read books and researched his backstory.
A series set in his prime would allow us to see a younger Count Dooku, explore Qui-Gon’s rebellious nature, and dive deeper into his discoveries about the Force, including being one of the first Jedi to unlock the secret of becoming a Force ghost. His disagreements with the Jedi Council and his tendency to disobey the Jedi Council and often succeed would be great to see.
What’s even better? Liam Neeson’s son, Michael, bears a strong resemblance to him and could probably play a younger version. A show set in the High Republic, focused on Qui-Gon’s growth and relationship with Dooku, could reframe the prequel era in powerful ways and ultimately build up to The Phantom Menace with more emotional weight.
