The Star Wars Expanded Universe—now branded as Legends—was a treasure trove of rich storytelling, beloved characters, and unexpected developments. Among the most iconic and fan-revered tales from this era was Timothy Zahn’s Hand of Thrawn duology. Comprised of Specter of the Past and Vision of the Future, these novels served as both a narrative milestone and emotional crescendo for fans following the saga beyond the films.
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But what many casual fans don’t realize is how involved George Lucas himself was in shaping the core of that story. In fact, the romantic culmination between Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade—a pairing now considered legendary in Star Wars lore—wasn’t just an idea cooked up by authors or fan enthusiasm. It came from the top. George Lucas himself.
Let’s peel back the curtain on the origins of the Hand of Thrawn duology and explore how Lucas’s influence—and the creative minds of the Expanded Universe—brought closure, change, and romance to a galaxy far, far away.
Setting the Stage: Bantam’s Final Hurrah
In late 1993, the team behind Bantam Spectra, the publisher responsible for a major wave of Star Wars novels during the 1990s, approached George Lucas about what was to be their final set of stories before the license moved on. Lucas, never one to do things halfway, had two major requirements for this grand finale.
In his own words:
“I came up with two things I needed to do if I was to do the book: one was to end the war between the New Republic and the Empire, and two, to get Luke and Mara together. If we’re going to do some kind of closure to the Bantam series, those two events needed to be done.”
Lucas recognized that the Bantam era had stretched the conflict between the remnants of the Empire and the New Republic long enough. But just as important, he wanted resolution for Luke Skywalker’s arc—especially his personal journey. And that meant finally resolving his complicated connection with Mara Jade, the former Emperor’s Hand who had become a Jedi and Luke’s equal in more ways than one.
At the time, this was a bold move. Luke’s love life had always been ambiguous and carefully guarded by Lucasfilm. But Lucas was clear: it was time to make Mara and Luke a couple.
Timothy Zahn Holds the Line
Timothy Zahn, the creator of Mara Jade and the writer behind both the original Thrawn Trilogy and the Hand of Thrawn duology, was approached to write this closing chapter. But there was a hitch. While Lucas had signed off on the plan, there was initial hesitancy from Bantam.
Zahn recalls:
“They came back and said, ‘Okay, the first one’s fine, but we’d like you to leave Luke and Mara’s relationship ambiguous.’ And I said, ‘Well, in that case I’m really not interested in doing the book.’”
For Zahn, the emotional resolution between Luke and Mara wasn’t just a fan-service subplot. It was essential. Their journey—from enemies to reluctant allies to friends and ultimately lovers—was one of the most compelling long-form arcs in the EU. Zahn held his ground. Eventually, in early 1994, Bantam agreed: the love story would proceed.
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The Lucas Stamp of Approval
Author Michael A. Stackpole, another major figure in the EU who penned the X-Wing novels, confirmed that Lucas’s involvement was more than passive.
“George did approve Mara and Luke marrying. This I have from Tim. And my experience is that if anything was going to happen with any of his characters, George signed off.”
Stackpole emphasized that the approval was built into the first Bantam contract. Luke and Mara were always destined to marry—it wasn’t just a late addition or an authorial whim. Lucas had envisioned it as part of the natural progression of Luke’s story. Though George was known to occasionally change his mind, at that time, the plan was solid.
What’s remarkable is that this major plot point—Luke Skywalker’s eventual marriage—was never leaked, even though multiple authors were aware of it as early as 1993 or 1994. Stackpole said it best:
“We’re standing there looking at each other. ‘Mhm. Sure you do, fella.’ But yeah, that was the idea, that was the story. It never leaked.”
Callista, Detours, and Emotional Baggage
Before Luke and Mara could find each other, the EU gave readers a different romantic direction: Callista Ming, a former Jedi who appeared in Children of the Jedi. The relationship between Luke and Callista was always a bit controversial among fans—and as it turns out, within the creative team too.
Timothy Zahn shared that every time someone tried to reintroduce Callista, she was quickly written out. It was as if the universe itself resisted the pairing. Zahn had his own vision:
“I always thought they would be a good couple, but they needed time just to be friends. Mara had baggage, Luke had baggage, and then to work it out in the Hand of Thrawn duology—that was in the back of my mind all the way along.”
What made Luke and Mara so compelling wasn’t just chemistry—it was depth. Both carried emotional scars. Both had walked away from the dark side in different ways. Their bond wasn’t just romantic—it was redemptive.
Bringing Mara Jade to Life
For many fans, Mara Jade lived vividly in the imagination. She was fierce, brilliant, complex—a woman who had worked for the Emperor, hunted Jedi, and then transformed into one. But what did she actually look like?
That was the challenge artist Drew Struzan faced. Struzan, the legendary illustrator responsible for many of Star Wars’ most iconic posters, admitted:
“All I knew about her and all I did were to paint a picture of the girl a couple of times… She was only a slimly developed idea in some creative’s mind at the time.”
With few references, Struzan had to rely on instinct and artistry. He selected a model, crafted a costume that captured her spirit, and created a version of Mara Jade that was close enough to Lucas’s vision that it was ultimately turned down—not because it was wrong, but because it was too close. The official vision was still developing.
Struzan concluded:
“My vision of Mara became another of the acceptable visions of who she might be. I think it is quite fun that she has a tendency to be a bit of a chameleon.”
It’s fitting. Mara Jade was never meant to be easily defined. Like Luke, she was always evolving.
The Final Word: It Was George’s Decision
Barbara Hambly, another notable Star Wars author, once revealed that the decision to make Mara the “great love of Luke’s life” came from above. “At a Higher Level,” as she put it. That higher level, of course, was George Lucas.
While Lucas was never directly involved in writing the novels, his guiding hand ensured that the big story beats aligned with his vision. And for Luke, that vision included a partner—someone strong, independent, and complex. Someone like Mara.
Legacy and Legends
Today, the Hand of Thrawn duology remains a favorite among long-time Star Wars fans. Though the Disney-era canon has moved in a different direction, elements from Legends continue to inspire the new generation of storytellers. Thrawn himself was reintroduced into canon via Star Wars Rebels and is set to appear in live-action in upcoming series and films.
Whether Mara Jade will ever return remains uncertain. But her impact is undeniable. She was more than just a love interest—she was one of the most compelling characters ever created for the franchise.
And thanks to George Lucas, she was always meant to be Luke Skywalker’s equal—and his wife.
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Conclusion
The Hand of Thrawn duology wasn’t just a pair of well-written novels—it was the culmination of years of storytelling, character development, and behind-the-scenes vision. George Lucas’s direct involvement in setting Luke and Mara’s relationship in stone gives fans a rare glimpse into the master creator’s thoughts on character evolution, emotional closure, and the importance of love even in a galaxy at war.
For fans of Legends, the love story of Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade remains as powerful today as it was when first penned—because, as it turns out, it wasn’t just a story the authors wanted to tell. It was a story George Lucas believed needed to be told.
