The closing moments of Star Wars Rebels introduced Spectre-7, the unexpected new crew member of the Ghost. That was the codename of young Jacen Syndulla, the son of Hera and the late Kanan Jarrus. During Jacen’s debut Sabine Wren said he was “born to fly, just like his mother.” Now Ahsoka has revealed he’s a lot like his father, too. His dad was a great Jedi Knight, and Jacen is poised to follow in dad’s heroic Star Wars footsteps.
Who Is Jacen Syndulla and What Is His Star Wars Rebels History?
Prior to his live-action (and speaking) debut on Ahsoka, Jacen Syndulla’s only Star Wars appearance came in a single scene during Star Wars Rebels‘ finale. A closing montage narrated by Sabine Wren provided viewers an update on what happened to the members of the Ghost following the Empire’s defeat four years after the primary events of the show ended.
It turned out Hera Syndulla had secretly been pregnant when Kanan Jarrus gave his life saving his loved ones. Shortly after Kanan’s death (and Ezra Bridger’s’ disappearance along with Thrawn) Hera gave birth to her and Kanan’s son. She named her green-haired boy Jacen, who resembles his human father more than his Twi’lek mother.
Ahsoka has now confirmed a possibility Sabine hinted at on Rebels when she said “we all know what [Jacen’s] father was like.”
Who Are Jacen Syndualla’s Parents?
Jacen’s parents, Hera Syndulla and Kanan Jarrus, were not only in love, they were the leaders of the Rebel cell known as the Spectres. It operated out of the Ghost in the years preceding the Galactic Civil War that brought down the Empire. The two found each other while each trying to find their own way alone in a war-torn galaxy.
Hera Syndulla
Jacen’s grandfather, Hera’s dad, was the famous Twi’lek freedom fighter Cham Syndulla. Their complicated relationship led Hera to leave her home world of Ryloth. But despite their differences Hera was a lot like Cham. She continued fighting the Empire. That’s how she met Kanan Jarrus. Their love changed not only their lives but the fate of the galaxy far, far away.
Read more about the life of Jacen’s mom with our deep dive primer on Hera Syndulla.
Kanan Jarrus
Kanan Jarrus’ real name was Caleb Dume. He was a Jedi Padawan during Order 66 and his Master gave her life saving his. Caleb then went into hiding, changed his name to Kanan Jarrus, and turned his back on the Jedi. He didn’t find his way back to the Force until he met Hera.
Kanan eventually took on Ezra Bridger as a Padawan and was dubbed a Knight himself during a mystical sequence inside a Jedi Temple. The brave Jedi’s own ultimate sacrifice saved the lives of the Ghost and the unborn son he didn’t know about.
Is Jacen Syndulla Force-Sensitive and Will He Become a Jedi?
As Huyang said at the Henge on Seatos, Jacen Syndulla has “abilities.” The now (roughly) ten-year-old child is strong in the Force just as his father Kanan was. That wasn’t a guarantee, however. Despite Luke, Leia, and Ben Solo’s own genetic Force-sensitivities, not all children of Jedi inherit their Force-using parents abilities.
Only, Jacen might even have more natural talent in the Force than his dad. Without any training Jacen was able to hear Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber duel in the World Between Worlds, a dimension that exists outside of time and space.
Jacen Syndulla’s no Jedi yet, but he told his mother he hopes to become one someday. While Huyang said he won’t train the boy (just that he can show him how to build a lightsaber) we doubt the droid would deny someone as powerful and eager to learn as Jacen.
It’s also possible a reinvigorated Ahsoka “I choose life” Tano will take him on as a Padawan someday, possibly soon. And if she or anyone else does (well, besides Luke Skywalker and his doomed Academy we hope), Jacen might one day help another famous Jedi restore the Jedi Order.
Could Jacen Syndulla Appear as a Jedi in Rey’s New Star Wars Movie?
Twenty-five years after Ahsoka‘s first season Rey will defeat Palpatine once and for all. She’ll do so with the help of countless ships. Among those that answer the call at Exegol will be the Ghost, which appeared in The Rise of Skywalker.
We don’t know who was flying it that fateful day. Hera will be old by then, but could still be very much alive, as will Jacen Syndulla, who might ultimately be the Ghost‘s captain by then.
Will Jacen also be a Jedi Knight by then, too? If he is he might be destined to help Rey once more. She is going to try and restore the Jedi Order in an upcoming movie. She’ll need as many Jedi as she can to train a new generation. And those who know the history and legacy of the Jedi and who they were at their best will be her greatest allies.
Who better to fill that role than Jacen Syndulla, the son of two great rebel heroes with their own legacy that will live on in the galaxy far, far away forever?
Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter and Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.