What IF: A Star Wars Story

Scenario 1: What if Anakin Never Turned to the Dark Side? 

If Anakin had never fallen to the dark side, the galaxy would have experienced a dramatically different - and likely brighter - future.

• The Clone Wars Endgame

  • Without Anakin's betrayal, Palpatine's plan would have faced a critical flaw. 

  • The Jedi would have eventually uncovered his identity as Darth Sidious, but with the Chosen One fighting alongside them rather than against them. 

  • Anakin's immense power, combined with Mace Windu and the other Jedi Masters, would have made Palpatine's defeat almost certain. 

  • The Chancellor's emergency powers would have been revoked, and he would have faced justice for orchestrating the war.

• Order 66's Failure

  • The systematic execution of the Jedi would never have occurred. 

  • With Palpatine exposed and defeated, the clone troopers would have remained under Republic command rather than Imperial control. 

  • The Jedi Order would have survived intact, allowing them to help rebuild the galaxy after the devastating Clone Wars.

• Anakin and Padmé's Life Together

  • Without the dark side consuming him, Anakin would have found a way to balance his Jedi duties with his love for Padmé. 

  • The couple might have worked to reform Jedi doctrine about attachment, potentially revolutionizing the Order's philosophy. 

  • Padmé would have survived childbirth, and Luke and Leia would have grown up with both parents - a Jedi father and a political leader mother.

• The Republic's Evolution

  • Rather than becoming the Empire, the Republic would have undergone democratic reforms. 

  • Padmé's political expertise, combined with other reform-minded senators, could have addressed the corruption and inefficiency that made Palpatine's rise possible. 

  • The galaxy might have emerged from the Clone Wars stronger and more unified.

• A New Generation of Jedi

  • Luke and Leia would have been raised knowing their heritage from the beginning. 

  • With proper training from infancy and their father's guidance, they could have become incredibly powerful Force users. 

  • The Skywalker family might have led a renaissance of Jedi teachings, blending traditional wisdom with new perspectives on love and attachment.

• The Sith's End

  • With both Palpatine and his apprentice Count Dooku defeated, the Sith would have been truly extinct. 

  • The ancient cycle of light and dark might have been broken permanently, ushering in an era of sustained peace and prosperity.

• Challenges Remaining

  • Even without the Empire, the galaxy would have faced reconstruction challenges, separatist holdouts, and the need to demobilize a massive clone army. 

  • But with the Jedi Order intact and experienced leaders like Anakin and Padmé working together, these problems would have been far more manageable than the tyranny that actually followed.

  • The galaxy would have become the peaceful, just society that the Republic was meant to be.

 Scenario 2: What if Luke Joined Vader in Empire Strikes Back? 

• The Immediate Transformation

  • Luke's acceptance would have shocked Vader to his core. 

  • For the first time since Padmé's death, Anakin would have had family by his side. 

  • This emotional breakthrough might have begun cracking the psychological barriers that kept him bound to the dark side. 

  • However, Luke's initial corruption would have been inevitable - the dark side's influence, combined with Vader's training, would have begun transforming the young Skywalker.

• The Emperor's Dilemma

  • Palpatine would have faced a fascinating problem: two powerful Skywalkers serving him, but also potentially plotting against him. 

  • The Sith Rule of Two would have been violated, creating instability. 

  • Palpatine might have tried to manipulate father and son against each other, or he could have seen Luke as the perfect replacement for the aging, damaged Vader.

• A Corrupted New Hope

  • Luke's fall would have devastated the Rebellion's morale. 

  • Their symbol of hope, the one who destroyed the Death Star, would have become their enemy. 

  • Leia would have been emotionally shattered, losing both her brother and potentially her faith in the possibility of redemption. 

  • The Rebellion might have fractured or collapsed entirely.

• The Skywalker Dynasty

  • Together, Luke and Vader could have eventually overthrown Palpatine - but as Sith Lords ruling the galaxy.

  • Luke's natural leadership abilities, combined with Vader's military experience, might have created an even more effective tyranny than the Empire. 

  • They could have ruled as a dark dynasty, with Luke eventually supplanting his father as the dominant Sith.

• Leia's Burden

  • The responsibility for stopping the Skywalker Sith would have fallen to Leia. 

  • She would have needed to develop her own Force abilities quickly, possibly becoming the galaxy's last hope for balance. 

  • The confrontation between the twins would have been heartbreaking - sister against brother, light against dark.

• The Path Back

  • Redemption might still have been possible, but it would have required Luke experiencing a profound loss or betrayal that reminded him of his original values. 

  • Perhaps watching Vader or himself commit an atrocity against innocents could have triggered Luke's return to the light, leading to an even more dramatic redemption arc.

  • The galaxy's fate would have hung on whether love could ultimately triumph over the seductive power of the dark side.

Scenario 3: What if Qui-Gon Jinn Survived? 

• Anakin's Training and Development 

  • Qui-Gon would have trained Anakin directly, rather than Obi-Wan. 

  • As someone who understood the Living Force and was less rigid about Jedi doctrine, Qui-Gon might have been better equipped to handle Anakin's emotional nature. 

  • He likely would have acknowledged Anakin's feelings about his mother and perhaps even supported him visiting her, potentially preventing her death and Anakin's first major step toward the dark side.

• Challenging the Jedi Council 

  • Qui-Gon was already skeptical of the Council's decisions and wasn't afraid to defy them. 

  • With him alive, there would have been a strong voice advocating for reform within the Jedi Order. 

  • He might have pushed for changes in how the Jedi handle attachments and emotions, potentially preventing the rigidity that drove Anakin away.

• Palpatine's Manipulation

  •  It would have been much harder for Palpatine to manipulate Anakin with Qui-Gon around. 

  • Qui-Gon was experienced, wise, and unlikely to trust Palpatine's intentions. 

  • He would have recognized the danger of Anakin spending time with the Chancellor and likely intervened.

• The Clone Wars

  • Qui-Gon's presence during the Clone Wars could have changed many outcomes. 

  • His unorthodox thinking and willingness to see beyond traditional solutions might have exposed the Sith plot earlier. 

  • He also wouldn't have been as easily manipulated by wartime politics as some younger Jedi.

• Obi-Wan's Path 

  • Without the burden of training Anakin, Obi-Wan's development would have been different. 

  • He might have become a more confident Jedi Knight without the constant stress of managing Anakin's volatile nature. 

  • The two could have worked together as partners rather than master and apprentice.

  • The ripple effects would extend throughout the saga - no Vader, no Empire as we know it, no Luke and Leia hidden away, and likely a very different relationship between the Jedi and the Force itself, influenced by Qui-Gon's more mystical understanding.

Scenario 4: What if the Death Star Plans Were Never Stolen?

• The Battle of Yavin - A Massacre

  • Without the technical readouts revealing the thermal exhaust port vulnerability, the Rebel assault on the Death Star would have been a suicide mission with no hope of success. 

  • The Rebellion's entire fleet would likely have been annihilated at Yavin, along with most of their leadership and their main base. 

  • Luke Skywalker, still untrained and unknown as a Force user, would probably have died in the failed attack.

• Imperial Dominance

  • With the Death Star operational and the Rebellion crushed, the Empire would have achieved total galactic dominance. 

  • Palpatine could have used the battle station to systematically destroy any world that showed even minor resistance, creating a reign of terror that would make Alderaan's destruction look like a warning shot. 

  • Planets would have surrendered immediately rather than face annihilation.

• The Skywalker Legacy

  • Luke's death at Yavin would have eliminated the galaxy's best hope for balance in the Force. 

  • Without Luke to eventually redeem him, Vader would likely have remained Palpatine's enforcer indefinitely. 

  • The Sith would have consolidated their power with no Jedi to challenge them. 

  • Leia, if she survived, would have been captured and either turned to the dark side or executed.

• Long-term Consequences

  • The Empire might have ruled for generations unchallenged. 

  • Without the Death Star's destruction proving that the Empire could be defeated, other resistance movements would never have gained momentum. 

  • The galaxy would have settled into a permanent dark age under Sith rule.

• Alternative Scenarios

  • The only potential game-changer would have been if Vader had somehow encountered Luke earlier and discovered his parentage through other means. 

  • But even then, without the Rebellion's infrastructure and momentum, any father-son reconciliation would have been much more difficult to achieve.

  • The theft of those plans truly was the spark that ignited hope across the galaxy.

Scenario 5: What if Padmé Survived Childbirth? 

• The Immediate Aftermath

  • Padmé's survival would have given Anakin a powerful anchor to pull him back from the dark side. 

  • Her presence, combined with their newborn children, could have provided the emotional grounding he desperately needed. 

  • The knowledge that his family was alive and safe might have been enough to break Palpatine's psychological hold over him, potentially leading to Anakin's redemption much earlier than in Return of the Jedi.

• Political Ramifications

  • As a respected senator and skilled politician, Padmé would likely have become a central figure in the early Rebellion. 

  • Her political acumen, combined with her inside knowledge of the Empire's formation, would have made her invaluable to resistance efforts. 

  • She might have worked alongside Bail Organa and Mon Mothma to organize opposition to Palpatine's rule, potentially making the Rebellion more effective from its inception.

• The Skywalker Twins

  • Luke and Leia would have grown up together, knowing their parentage and likely receiving training in both politics and the Force from an early age. 

  • This could have accelerated their development as leaders and Force users. 

  • However, it also would have put them at greater risk, as Palpatine and Vader would have actively hunted for Anakin's children.

• Anakin's Potential Redemption

  • The most intriguing possibility is that Anakin might never have fully embraced his role as Darth Vader. 

  • With Padmé alive, he might have found a way to resist Palpatine or even turn against him much sooner. 

  • This could have led to a very different galactic civil war, with a redeemed Anakin potentially fighting alongside the Rebellion.

• Intermission

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Scenario 6: What IF Rey turned to the dark side?

• The Palpatine Legacy Fulfilled

  • Rey accepting her Sith heritage would have created the ultimate irony - the granddaughter of the galaxy's greatest evil finally claiming her birthright. 

  • She could have become Empress Rey, ruling through fear and absolute power, potentially even more dangerous than Palpatine since she'd have both raw strength and the strategic knowledge gained from her Jedi training.

• Ben Solo's Tragic Redemption Arc Reversed 

  • Instead of Rey saving Ben, we might have seen Ben desperately trying to pull Rey back from the darkness - a complete role reversal. 

  • This could have led to Ben's death as he sacrifices himself trying to save her, or worse, Rey corrupting him back to the dark side, creating a new generation of Sith Lords ruling together.

• The Resistance Faces Their Former Hope 

  • Rey turning would have been devastating for the Resistance, who saw her as their new hope. 

  • Imagine Finn, Poe, and Leia having to fight against someone they loved and trusted. 

  • The emotional weight of battles where former allies must face Rey would have been incredibly powerful storytelling.

• A New Sith Order Rather than the "Rule of Two," 

  • Rey might have established something entirely different - perhaps training multiple dark side users, creating Sith academies, or corrupting existing Jedi. 

  • Her approach to the dark side could have been more systematic and widespread than previous Sith.

• The Galaxy Under New Management 

  • A dark Rey might not have simply destroyed like Palpatine, but instead reshaped civilization according to her vision - potentially creating a more efficient but oppressive galactic government, using her understanding of both sides of the Force to maintain control.

• Force Dyad Corruption 

  • The unique bond between Rey and Ben could have become a conduit for spreading darkness, potentially allowing Rey to corrupt others through Force connections in ways previously unseen in Star Wars lore.

Scenario 7: What IF Darth Jar Jar was real?

If Darth Jar Jar had been real, it would have represented one of the most masterful deceptions in galactic history - and completely reframed the prequel trilogy.

• The Perfect Sith Disguise

  • Jar Jar's bumbling, clumsy persona would have been the ultimate Sith camouflage. 

  • While everyone dismissed him as harmless comic relief, he would have been manipulating events from the shadows alongside Palpatine. 

  • His "accidents" that somehow always worked out favorably would have been revealed as carefully orchestrated Force manipulation.

• The Political Masterstroke

  • Jar Jar's motion to grant Palpatine emergency powers in Attack of the Clones would take on sinister new meaning. 

  • Rather than being manipulated by Palpatine, Jar Jar would have been an active co-conspirator, playing the role of useful idiot while actually being a brilliant strategist. 

  • His presence in the Senate would have given the Sith eyes and ears at the highest levels of government.

• A Sith Triumvirate

  • This would have created a fascinating dynamic: Palpatine as the public face and political mastermind, Dooku as the military leader and fallen Jedi, and Jar Jar as the hidden manipulator working within the Republic itself. 

  • The Rule of Two would have been secretly violated, with Jar Jar potentially serving as Palpatine's true apprentice while Dooku remained unaware of the Gungan's real nature.

• The Ultimate Betrayal

  • The revelation would have devastated the characters who trusted him. 

  • The Jedi, who barely tolerated his presence, would have realized they'd been blind to a Sith Lord hiding in plain sight. 

  • Padmé, who worked alongside him in the Senate, would have felt personally betrayed by someone she considered an ally.

• Jar Jar's Endgame

  • As a secret Sith Lord, Jar Jar might have had his own agenda beyond simply serving Palpatine.

  •  Perhaps he planned to eventually eliminate both Palpatine and Vader, taking control of the Empire himself. 

  • His knowledge of both Republic and Imperial operations would have made him incredibly dangerous.

• The Psychological Warfare

  • The most chilling aspect would be realizing that Jar Jar's entire relationship with the main characters was a lie. 

  • Every moment of apparent friendship or loyalty would have been revealed as calculated manipulation. 

  • His influence over Anakin during their early encounters could have been subtle Sith conditioning, preparing the young Jedi for his eventual fall.

• A Different Kind of Phantom Menace

  • The title "The Phantom Menace" would have taken on new meaning - not just referring to the hidden Sith, but specifically to the threat that was literally hiding in plain sight, dismissed by everyone as insignificant.

  • It would have been the most audacious long-term deception in Star Wars history, making Palpatine's rise to power even more brilliantly orchestrated.

Scenario 8: Thrawn and Ezra didn’t vanish??

If Thrawn and Ezra hadn't vanished during the liberation of Lothal, it would have created a fascinating butterfly effect that could have changed the entire outcome of the Galactic Civil War.

• Thrawn's Continued Dominance

  • With the Grand Admiral still commanding Imperial forces, the Rebellion would have faced their most dangerous opponent throughout the crucial years leading to Yavin and beyond.

  • Thrawn's analytical genius and understanding of alien cultures made him uniquely effective against the diverse Rebel Alliance.

  • He would have likely systematically dismantled Rebel cells across the galaxy, potentially preventing the unified rebellion that eventually emerged.

• The TIE Defender Revolution

  • Most critically, Thrawn's presence would have meant the TIE Defender project continued full production instead of being scrapped for Death Star resources.

  •  These vastly superior starfighters would have given the Empire overwhelming space superiority. 

  • The Battle of Yavin might have been impossible for the Rebels to win, as Luke's X-wing would have been swarmed by hyperdrive-capable TIE Defenders with shields.

• Ezra's Evolution

  • An Ezra who continued growing in power alongside the Rebellion would have become a formidable Force user by the original trilogy era. 

  • His unique abilities - particularly his connection to animals and unconventional Force techniques - could have provided the Rebellion with capabilities they never had historically. 

  • Imagine Ezra coordinating with purrgil during the Battle of Endor, or using his abilities to turn Imperial creatures against their masters.

• The Strategic Stalemate

  • This creates an intriguing scenario: Thrawn's tactical brilliance versus Ezra's growing Force powers and irregular warfare expertise. 

  • It might have resulted in a prolonged stalemate, with neither side able to achieve decisive victory. 

  • Thrawn would adapt to counter Ezra's methods, while Ezra would find new ways to outmaneuver Imperial forces.

• Impact on Luke's Journey

  • With another trained Force user already active in the Rebellion, Luke's role might have been different. 

  • Ezra could have served as a mentor figure, teaching Luke practical combat applications of the Force that complemented Yoda's philosophical training. 

  • This could have made Luke significantly more powerful when facing Vader and the Emperor.

• The Emperor's Dilemma

  • Palpatine would have faced a challenging situation: his most effective military commander remaining loyal, but also having to deal with multiple Force-sensitive threats instead of just Luke. 

  • He might have been forced to take more direct action earlier, potentially exposing himself before he was ready. 

  • The galaxy would have experienced a very different - and likely more prolonged - civil war, with both sides possessing assets that could have fundamentally altered the conflict's trajectory.

Scenario 10: What IF Han died in the carbonite? 

If Han had died in the carbonite freezing process, it would have created one of the most devastating turning points in the saga, fundamentally altering the emotional core of the story.

• Luke's Descent into Darkness

  • Han's death would have pushed Luke toward the dark side far more powerfully than Vader's revelation about his parentage.

  • The guilt of failing to save his friend, combined with his rage at Vader and the Empire, could have made Palpatine's later temptations much more effective. 

  • Luke might have been consumed by thoughts of revenge rather than redemption.

• Leia's Transformation

  • Losing Han would have hardened Leia in ways that could have made her more ruthless as a leader.

  • Her grief might have driven her to make increasingly desperate military decisions, potentially leading the Rebellion down darker paths. 

  • The compassionate leader who still believed in turning Vader back to the light might have become someone focused purely on the Empire's destruction.

• The Rescue That Never Was

  • The entire opening sequence of Return of the Jedi would have been replaced by something much more somber - perhaps a memorial service or a desperate mission for revenge against Jabba.

  • Luke wouldn't have had the confidence boost of successfully rescuing his friend, which was crucial to his development as a Jedi Knight.

• Chewbacca's Grief

  • Chewbacca would have been devastated by his life debt partner's death. 

  • The loyal Wookiee might have become consumed with vengeance, potentially becoming a more violent and unpredictable ally. 

  • His relationship with the other characters would have been forever changed by the loss of his closest friend.

• The Falcon's New Pilot

  • Without Han, someone else would have needed to pilot the Millennium Falcon during crucial missions. 

  • This could have led to Lando taking over permanently, or perhaps Chewbacca becoming the primary pilot. 

  • The ship itself would have become a painful reminder of their lost friend.

• Vader's Guilt

  • Ironically, Han's death might have accelerated Vader's own redemption. 

  • Knowing that his actions directly led to the death of an innocent person - not a Jedi or a military target, but simply someone who loved his son - could have awakened Anakin's conscience earlier.

• The Emperor's Advantage

  • Palpatine would have gained a significant psychological advantage over Luke. 

  • Instead of the confident young Jedi who walked into his throne room, he would have faced someone already touched by loss and anger. 

  • The Emperor's attempts to corrupt Luke would have had much more fertile ground to work with.

• A Darker Victory

  • Even if the Rebellion ultimately succeeded in destroying the Empire, it would have been a hollow victory tainted by personal loss. 

  • The celebration at the end of Return of the Jedi would have been bittersweet at best, with the heroes forever haunted by the friend they couldn't save.

  • The death of Han Solo would have robbed the saga of much of its hope and humor, replacing it with a much darker meditation on the costs of war and the fragility of friendship.

Bonus Scenario: What IF Luke didn’t “try to kill Ben?”

If Luke hadn't had that moment of weakness - if he'd never ignited his lightsaber over his sleeping nephew - the entire sequel trilogy would likely unfold completely differently:

Ben's path: Without that betrayal and abandonment, Ben might never have fully turned to the dark side. The shame and fear Luke felt in that moment was exactly what Snoke had been exploiting. Ben could have remained conflicted but ultimately stayed with Luke and the light.

The Jedi Academy: 

• Luke's temple wouldn't have been destroyed, and his other students wouldn't have been killed or turned. 

• The new generation of Jedi would have continued growing under Luke's guidance.

Luke's character: 

• He wouldn't have exiled himself in shame and despair. 

• Instead of becoming the bitter hermit we meet in the films, he'd likely have continued as the hopeful Jedi Master we knew from the original trilogy.

The larger conflict: 

• Without Kylo Ren as Snoke's apprentice and primary enforcer, the First Order might have been far less effective. 

• The galaxy's slide back into war might have been prevented entirely.

It's one of those pivotal moments where a single decision - Luke's split-second consideration of murder - cascades into galactic consequences. The tragedy is very much in the classical sense: a good person's momentary weakness destroys everything he'd worked to build.