Luke Skywalker embraces the dark side in a new Star Wars fan poster. The moral and spiritual dichotomy of light and dark is central to a galaxy far, far away. While a pivotal character in each of the trilogies has struggled with the dark side, Luke Skywalker’s relationship with the Force permeates the entire Skywalker saga.
When we first meet Luke in Star Wars: A New Hope, he’s oblivious to his “Chosen One” destiny and father’s current dark side status (as Darth Vader). Those original films saw Luke refuse the dark side, redeem his father, and help the Resistance win the Galactic Civil War. Conversely, the prequel trilogy follows Anakin Skywalker’s descent to darkness and transformation into Darth Vader. Star Wars: The Force Awakens introduced Kylo Ren AKA Ben Solo (Luke’s nephew), occupying a position similar to that of Darth Vader. Last year’s conclusion to the Skywalker saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker left fans reflecting on 40-plus years of light versus dark.
Freelance digital artist, Yadvender Singh Rana recently shared a mock Star Wars poster on Instagram featuring Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Kylo Ren. The piece imagines an alternate reality where Anakin never got burnt on Mustafar, was able to usurp the Emperor and turn Luke to the dark side. The poster deems this entry in the Skywalker saga, The Rise of the Sith as the saga's central family stands side-by-side in darkness. See them rule the galaxy below:
Had Luke turned to the dark side in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (or even before), the Skywalker saga would have looked a lot different. The prequel trilogy might have remained the same (even though Anakin's story is arguably driven by a prophecy concerning Luke) but the sequels would not. Assuming that Han Solo and Leia survive the events of Luke’s turn, still fall in love, and have Ben Solo, the latter probably would've been captured by his relatives and turned. That said, Episode VII would’ve featured a bleak galaxy. One where the Resistance was crushed decades prior and Rey fruitlessly battles Kylo Ren, Darth Vader, and Luke Skywalker, ergo "The Rise of the Sith."
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was divisive, but it’s still probably better than Luke turning to the dark side (or maybe not?). The events of the sequel trilogy are a byproduct of the decisions Luke makes throughout the Skywalker saga. Aside from in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, his relationship with the light side of the Force isn’t overtly precarious; he does the right thing at every turn. Luke even relinquishes his lightsaber rather than kill his father in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. In that moment he says, "I will never turn to the dark side." How the Star Wars franchise has been handled will be hotly departed for years to come. However, one thing appears irrefutable: the Skywalker saga hinges on Luke’s relationship with the Force.
Source: Yadvender Singh Rana/Instagram