The latest Star Wars Episode VII rumors say that Mara Jade Skywalker will be connected to Episode 7 as Ben Skywalker’s living mother.
Mara was first introduced in Timothy Zhan’s “Heir to the Empire” book, and has made numerous appearances throughout the Expanded Universe.
The blog Star Wars 7 News cited an anonymous source that said “Star Wars Rebels,” an upcoming CGI animated series that will premiere in Fall 2014 on the Disney Channel, will introduce Mara.
“Rebels” will bring characters, ideas, and planets from the Expanded Universe into connection with Episode 7 and the other planned movies, the source said, because as of 2015 all books and comics will be part of the same canon as movies, television, and Netflix.
“Rebels” will introduce two original characters, one Imperial and one Jedi, the source said.
The Mara connection is explained through the rumored timeline.
“Episode seven takes place, in 30 ABY. Jacen and Jaina will be to Ben what Han and Leia were to Luke,” the source said. “Ben is around the same age as his cousins. Chewie will be alive, and this is an all new timeline from 4 ABY forward.”
The source--later backed up by insiders--said that Pablo Hidalgo and Leland Chee have been consulting with Kathleen and JJ Abrams on the Expanded Universe elements and characters.
“Of course, this is just a rumor and should be taken with a truck load of salt until Disney or Lucasfilm confirm otherwise… but it certainly makes a lot of sense,” noted Yahoo! “After decades of stories and interesting characters were produced within the EU, it seems silly to get rid of them for the sake of it. And I’m sure it‘ll please the fans to keep certain elements alive in the all-new ’Star Wars’ universe. But will Mara Jade be the same character we know and love? For now, we'll just have to wait and see… if she appears at all.”
