luke skywalker hero's journey

From A New Hope all the way through The Rise of Skywalker , Luke Skywalker’s character development adheres to the Hero’s Journey outlined in Jospeh Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces .

This post serves to chronicle the key moments of Canon Luke’s life that fulfill the 17 steps of the HJ (see the diagram below for a description of the specific steps).

If you have any objections, and think there’s another moment in Luke’s life that might better fit a particular step, please feel free to say so!

The Hero’s Journey of Luke Skywalker

 Call to Adventure : Luke starts off on Tatooine, the planet farthest from the bright center of the universe. He’s bored, restless, but is forced to stay with his uncle and aunt to help with the harvest. He stares at the twin suns with eager anxiousness to explore the larger galaxy.

He then receives the Call in the form of Leia’s message, meant for Obi-Wan Kenobi. Old Ben encourages him to travel to Alderaan with him at the Princess’s request.

Refusal of the Call : Luke is baffled. “I can’t go to Alderaan,” he insists. Luke, while longing to explore the galaxy, still clings to the life he has, perhaps out of fear or obligation.

Supernatural Aid : Once he finds his uncle and aunt killed, and his home destroyed, Luke accepts the Call and asks Obi-Wan Kenobi, former Jedi Master, to train him in the ways in the Force. Kenobi, acting as Luke’s supernatural aid, had given Luke his father’s lightsaber, a weapon of power to help Luke on his journey.

Crossing the First Threshold : With the help of Han Solo and his co-pilot Chewbacca, Luke leaves his home of Tatooine, venturing into a vast galaxy and what would become a life of adventure and heroism.

Belly of the Whale : Luke finds himself in the middle of the Death Star, the great fortress of the evil Empire. He commits himself to the Rebellion with the rescue of Princess Leia, and fully embraces the life of the hero by destroying the Death Star. He’s well on his way!

Road of Trials : This encompasses quite a bit of material, including everything between ANH and ESB, and into his training with Yoda. Luke is forged in the fires of the Galactic Civil War, and experiences a number of adventures that slowly shape him into the foundation for what he will one day become.

Meeting with the Goddess : Luke doesn’t necessarily have a Lady Galadriel, female-goddess archetype he interacts with. This role is best fulfilled by Yoda, a mysterious Jedi Master residing on a planet immensely strong with the Force. He trains Luke physically, but more importantly spiritually, so that he may gain the power to defeat Vader.

Temptation : Luke receives a vision from the Force of his friends suffering at the hands of the Empire, luring him away from his training and into the hands of the awaiting Darth Vader (who Luke also has a vision of during his trial in the Cave).

Atonement with the Father : Darth Vader defeats Luke and reveals that he is Luke’s father, the Jedi Knight turned Sith Lord Anakin Skywalker. Luke, physically and emotionally shattered, attempts to escape by suicide, but miraculously survives and is rescued by his friends. This is Luke at his absolute lowest.

Apotheosis : After a year of recovery and improvement, Luke is reborn as a full-fledged Jedi Knight, wise and powerful. He wields a weapon of power (i.e. a new lightsaber) and helps to vanquish Jabba the Hutt and confronts Vader once more.

Ultimate Boon : Through Luke, Anakin Skywalker is reborn and the Sith are destroyed. The Empire is resoundingly defeated, and the Rebel Alliance essentially restores freedom to the galaxy. Luke has fully embraced the title of a Jedi Master, and has the knowledge and ability to rebuild the Jedi Order.

Refusal of Return : Luke detaches himself from the larger galaxy, focusing on uncovering the secrets of the Jedi and rebuilding the Order. By his own folly, the Jedi are destroyed and Luke is consumed by his failure.

The Magic Flight : Luke goes into hiding, having now become the Last Jedi. He hoards his knowledge of the Force and the Jedi (the ultimate boon) from the rest of the galaxy. He lives in the ancient Jedi Temple on Ahch-To, his whereabouts unknown to the rest of the galaxy (most simply regard him as a myth).

Rescue From Without : Luke has two rescuers. Rey, an idealistic Force User eager to learn the ways of the Force from the messianic legend Luke Skywalker, and Yoda, who teaches Luke the truth about his weakness and failure. They remind Luke both who he once was, and what he can be. These two encourage the apathetic Luke to end his seclusion.

Crossing the Return Threshold : Luke, now wiser and more powerful than ever, returns to the conflict he’s been avoiding. An idealized image of him (how the rest of the galaxy envisions the legendary Luke Skywalker) appears on Crait to save the Resistance in their most desperate hour.

Master of Two Worlds : Luke, having saved the Resistance and restored hope to the galaxy, passes away with “peace and purpose.” He dies as the greatest Jedi who ever lived, now a manifestation through the Force. He can now travel through both the material and spirit worlds as a Force Ghost.

Freedom to Live : We’ll see this part demonstrated in TROS. Luke has transcended the limitations of the physical world and has the freedom to live in eternal peace, and continue to help those who need him most.

I think it’s interesting that Demo mentioned Luke’s commitment to protecting his loved ones, since “the end of everything (Luke loved) because of what (Kylo would) become” is one of the things that Luke specifically cited in explaining his failure.

So it appears that the issue here really isn’t the execution, it’s at the very minimum a failure to fully understand the execution, a failure to give proper weight to things said in dialogue, and a failure to make inferences based on what we already know about the character. His actions in the throne room in Return of the Jedi are particularly relevant, but that’s been discussed ad nauseum here.

The disconnect between Luke’s portrayal in the original trilogy and the way the public sees him is particularly relevant as well.

@Thaumataphantiphon hello there! I noticed you're new here, so welcome to the Wook! In case you haven't seen it yet, please check out this welcoming post to get to know the community. Impressive first comment by the way.

https://starwars.fandom.com/d/p/3343172654596367161

@Nightswan Thank you so much for the warm welcome and getting me up to speed. I just read through the material you sent, and look forward to some wonderful and rigorous discussions to come!

We look forward to it as well!

Moose, I understand the film and the scene just as well as you do. It is entirely possible for two people to totally understand something and still disagree about whether it’s good or not. That is the case here and there’s nothing wrong with it. Your insinuating my ignorance is unfair and uncalled for.

The scene in question does get part of Luke’s motivation right in that he cares deeply for his friends. But whatever it gets right about his character in my mind is totally destroyed by the fact that he seriously considered killing his nephew who hadn’t done anything bad yet.

Luke Skywalker is not a perfect Jedi all of the time. He makes mistakes all the time, but it’s never something that totally fails to resonate with me. When he rushes off to save his friends in ESB, I get both why he did it and why it was a bad decision. In Return of the Jedi when he almost kills Vader in anger, he was in the heat of battle with someone who was very dangerous and had already done a billion awful things, so the fact he makes the mistake of giving into his aggression against Vader is once again understandable albeit still wrong.

That’s the key with how Luke is portrayed in the OT, that’s why he’s one of the most popular characters in film is he’s so relatable.

There is nothing relatable or understandable on a personal emotional level about Luke’s brief consideration of murdering his nephew where he pulls his lightsaber on him. The fact that he did it because he feared for his loved ones doesn’t change the fact that Luke as I know him in literally every story outside The Last Jedi is not an unstable lunatic who almost kills his family members who are innocent.

As I’ve made perfectly clear. I don’t think a character can be objectively in or out of character, as we can’t even all agree on what kind of people in real life people are. It’d be crazy to think that a fictional character can objectively be in or out of character. I have no problem whatsoever that you, Shield, or anyone else thinks Luke’s portrayal in the movie is good. In fact, I love that people like Shield feel differently because it can be a very fun exchange ideas and have a debate among knowledgeable, passionate fans.

I’m but a humble chronicler, and have weighed in on why I like Luke’s portrayal in  The Last Jedi in other posts. I will remain impartial here.

I will say that what  @Thaumataphantiphon said very much resonated with me, and I really appreciate how eloquently he phrased his thoughts.

@Demolisher1 and @Moose05 both have excellent points as well, and I think both of you together encapsulate both sides of the issue on The Last Jedi ’s continuation of Luke’s story.

This is awesome.

I was pretty sure that the hero's journey was shorter than this. i think it sometimes just ends with the ultimate boon

Do one for anakin please

Nicely done! This is one of the most amazing things I have seen here on the Wook!

What do you think?

Celebrating the best of tv, movies, and comics

Star Wars: Following Luke Skywalker's entire canon journey in chronological and release order

Following the journey of Luke Skywalker

Star Wars has always been larger than any one hero – but from the first moment the world could witness this grand story in all its forms and passages, Luke Skywalker has been our entrypoint. A boy, barely a man, with a mundane life who dreamed he was meant for something more, Luke represented a generation of young viewers who could only imagine the adventures which awaited us as we took our own first steps into a larger world. For all the droids, aliens, smugglers and Sith who populate this fiction, there are still many who stand by the hero who began it all.

For those Luke Skywalker fans, it felt as if his journey was only just beginning as Return of the Jedi rolled its credits and Luke had truly earned his place in the Jedi Order. Although most were unfilmed, many more stories of Luke’s exploits were told in the years to come. Most during his time with the Rebellion, some before, and some even after. If you’re willing to follow Luke’s journey across the breadth of Star Wars media, you might be surprised what you find in his footsteps. We’re here to guide you through each point in Luke’s journey until now – a path which, you may find, continues to grow.

Below, we offer two choices. You can choose to follow Luke’s path as he did, through chronological order, or as fans before you once did as this media was released to the public, in order of release. After all, every journey begins with the choice to take it.

Chronological order

• Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (Movie). Here we briefly see Luke’s beginnings, born to his mother and sent away from his father to Tatooine.
• Obi-Wan Kenobi (Television). Old Ben Kenobi watches over young Luke from afar, against his guardians’ wishes.
• Star Wars: From the Journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Comic). This collection of interlude chapters from the 2015 Star Wars series by Marvel Comics reveals further incidents where Obi-Wan had to protect young Luke – including a tackle with The Book of Boba Fett’s Wookiee mercenary, Black Krrsantan, in his first appearance. Includes issues 7, 15, 20, and 26-30 (mostly about Yoda).
• Star Wars: Rebels, “Twin Suns” (Television). Maul comes to Tatooine for one last duel with Old Ben Kenobi. There, Obi-Wan shares his secret with the dying former Sith: that he is protecting the instrument of the Empire’s undoing.

• Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (Movie). Luke leaves Tatooine behind, rescues a princess, and becomes the hero of Yavin.
• Heir to the Jedi (Novel). In his first mission for the Rebel Alliance after the Battle of Yavin, Luke is sent to retrieve an alien cryptographer capable of breaking Imperial codes as he reckons with the death of his mentor.
• The Weapon of a Jedi: A Luke Skywalker Adventure (Novella). Luke is guided by The Force to the Eedit Temple on the planet Devaron.
• Choose Your Destiny: A Luke & Leia Adventure (Young Readers’ Book). A choose your own adventure book with 20 different outcomes where Luke, Leia, and R2-D2 fly the Millennium Falcon on a Rebellion assignment.
• Star Wars (2015) Annual #4 (Comic). Luke collects funding for the Rebel Alliance from an underground podrace, and runs afoul of imperial forces.
• Star Wars: Skywalker Strikes (Comic). Luke encounters Darth Vader face-to-face for the first time. Collects issues #1-6 from the 2015 Star Wars Marvel Comics series.
• Star Wars: Showdown on the Smuggler’s Moon (Comic). On the search for Jedi knowledge and artifacts, Luke finds himself competing in the death games of Grakkus the Hutt. Collects issues #8-12 from the 2015 Star Wars Marvel Comics series.
• Star Wars: Vader Down (Comic). Downed in pursuit of Luke Skywalker on the planet Vrogas Vas, the Rebel Alliance has Darth Vader surrounded with their best chance yet of taking them out. Much carnage ensues. This crossover story collects Vader Down #1, Star Wars #13-15, and Darth Vader #13-15.
• Star Wars: Rebel Jail (Comic). Luke and Han take odd jobs to raise money for the Rebel Alliance, and become actual nerf herders. Collects Star Wars #16-19.
• Star Wars: The Last Flight of the Harbinger . Luke embarks on a daring heist to steal a Star Destroyer for the Rebellion. Collects Star Wars #21-25 and Star Wars Annual #2.
• Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel (Comic). Luke teams up with the troublesome rogue archaeologist Doctor Aphra to survive an enclave of alien vampires. Collects Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel #1, Star Wars #31-32, and Doctor Aphra #7-8.
• Star Wars (2015) #33 , “Rebels in the Wild” (Comic). Luke and Leia get stranded together on a desert island, and fortunately don’t do anything hinky.
• Star Wars Adventures (2017) #4-5 , “The Trouble at Tibrin” (Comic). Luke and Leia run into Imperial entanglements in a diplomatic mission on Tibrin.
• Star Wars Adventures Annual 2018 , “Mind Your Manners” (Comic). When Princess Leia is injured, Luke must fill in for her on another diplomatic mission for the Rebellion to Sarka.
• Star Wars: The Ashes of Jedha (Comic). Luke encounters the remnants of Saw Gerrera’s Partisans. Collects Star Wars #38-43.
• The Last Jedi: The Storms of Crait (Comic). Remember when Leia took the Resistance to the salt flats of Crait in The Last Jedi, mentioning it had briefly been a Rebel base in the past? This is that story.
• Star Wars: Mutiny at Mon Cala (Comic). In a pivotal victory, the Rebellion liberates Admiral Ackbar’s homeworld from Imperial rule. Collects Star Wars #44-49.
• Star Wars: Hope Dies (Comic). Princess Leia is betrayed by a close ally, leaving the Rebellion in shambles. Collects Star Wars #50-55.
• Star Wars: The Escape (Comic). With the Rebellion scattered, Luke, Han, Leia and the droids are stranded together on a pastoral moon. Collects Star Wars #56-61.
• Star Wars: The Scourging of Shu-Torun (Comic). Picking up the pieces from their devastating loss, the Rebellion strikes back. Collects Star Wars #62-68.
• Hyperspace Stories #2 (Comic). Luke and Leia scout the planet Banas as a potential new base for the Rebellion, but the Imperials are already there.
• Star Wars: Rogues and Rebels (Comic). Luke follows a Force-sensitive card hustler from Jedha to learn what she knows about the Guardians of the Whills before rejoining his friends on their new home on the ice planet Hoth. Collects Star Wars #68-75 and Star Wars: Empire Ascendant #1, the last issues of the 2015 Star Wars Marvel Comics series.
• Star Wars Adventures (2020) #11-12, “Squad Goals” (Comic). Luke takes hotheaded new Rogue Squadron recruit Ibti Myrak under his wing.

The Empire Strikes Back

• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (Movie). Luke gets mauled by a wampa, trains with Master Yoda, learns about his dad and loses a hand.
• Star Wars: The Destiny Path (Comic). Luke reckons with the revelation of his parentage, and seeks out a new lightsaber. A new Star Wars series from Marvel Comics begins here, collecting issues #1-6.
• Star Wars: Operation Starlight (Comic). The Rebellion attempts to regroup after scattering across the stars in the Battle of Hoth. Collects Star Wars (2020) #7-11.
• Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters (Comic). Han Solo’s body, still encased in carbonite, is stolen from Boba Fett by the Crimson Dawn syndicate and put up for auction. Luke shows up to get it back. Collects Star Wars (2020) #12-18, with the Omnibus edition providing greater context for the larger crossover event.
• Star Wars (2020) #19-20 , “Dangerous Lessons” (Comic). Luke recovers a Holocron which leads him to a living sea where he learns more about the Jedi in the time of the High Republic. Collected in Star Wars: Crimson Reign.
• Star Wars: Hidden Empire (Comic). Luke and the Rebellion coordinate with Crimson Dawn on a risky gambit to eliminate The Emperor and Darth Vader in one fell swoop.
• Star Wars (2020) #26-28 , “The Path to Victory” (Comic). Luke retrieves two embedded Crimson Dawn agents with news of the second Death Star.
• Star Wars (2020) #29-33 , “Lost in No-Space” (Comic). An ancient experimental hyperdrive strands Luke, Leia, Chewie, Lando, and Amilyn Holdo in a pocket zone of space with no apparent means of escape.
• Doctor Aphra (2020) #31-34 , “Dead Ringer” (Comic). Aphra abducts Luke Skywalker to enlist him in what she assures him will be a mutually beneficial arrangement.
• Star Wars: Dark Droids (Comic). This crossover event is where the ongoing Marvel Comics Star Wars series are currently developing as of this writing, with Luke and the rest of the galaxy contending with a droid uprising.
• Age of Rebellion: Luke Skywalker (Comic). Luke is tempted to the Dark Side by the specter of Emperor Palpatine.

Return of the Jedi

• Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (Movie). Luke rescues his friends from Jabba the Hutt, confronts his destiny aboard the second Death Star, and becomes a Jedi Knight.
• Star Wars: Forces of Destiny , “Traps and Tribulations” (Television). Shortly after the Battle of Endor, Luke and Leia help the Ewoks trap a giant Gorax.
• The Princess and the Scoundrel (Novel). Still on Endor, Luke officiates Leia and Han’s wedding.
• Star Wars: Shattered Empire #4 (Comic). Luke goes on a mission to retrieve the last remaining cuttings from the great tree which once stood at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
• Star Wars: Battlefront II (Video game). Luke recovers a compass kept at the Emperor’s observatory on the planet Pilio.
• The Mandalorian, “Chapter 16: The Rescue” (Television). Luke takes Grogu from Din Djarin’s stewardship to train as a Jedi.
• The Book of Boba Fett, “Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger” (Television). After some time training with Luke, Grogu makes the choice to return to Din Djarin.
• Shadow of the Sith (Novel). Luke and Lando Calrissian head to the far reaches of space to tie up some loose ends, but find more questions than answers.
• The Legends of Luke Skywalker (Story collection). These possibly apocryphal tales share a few legends of Luke Skywalker’s exploits over the long years between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.

• Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (Movie). Rey finds Luke on the water world of Ahch-To, imploring him to teach her the ways of The Force.
• Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (Movie). Reluctantly, Luke trains Rey, and has one final confrontation with his nephew.
• Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (Movie). Now one with The Force, Luke watches over Rey and the future of the Jedi for all time.

Production order

If you’d like to follow Luke’s story in the order it’s been released so far, then this is his journey from another point of view.

• Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
• Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
• Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
• Star Wars: Skywallker Strikes (Comic)
• Heir to the Jedi (Novel)
• Star Wars: Showdown on the Smuggler's Moon
• The Weapon of a Jedi: A Luke Skywalker Adventure (Novella)
• Star Wars: Shattered Empire #4 (Comic)
• Star Wars: Vader Down (Comic)
• Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (Movie)
• Star Wars: Rebel Jail (Comic)
• Star Wars: The Last Flight of the Harbinger (Comic)
• Star Wars: Rebels, "Twin Suns" (Television)
• Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel (Comic)
• Star Wars (2015) #33, "Rebels in the Wild"
• The Legends of Luke Skywalker (Story collection)
• Star Wars: The Ashes of Jedha (Comic)
• Star Wars Battlefront II (Video Game)
• Star Wars Adventures (2017) #4-5, “The Trouble at Tibrin” (Comic)
• Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (Movie)
• The Last Jedi: The Storms of Crait (Comic)
• Star Wars: Mutiny at Mon Cala
• Star Wars Adventures Annual 2018, “Mind Your Manners” (Comic)
• Star Wars (2015) Annual #4
• Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, “Traps and Tribulations” (Television)
• Star Wars: Hope Dies (Comic)
• Choose Your Destiny: A Luke & Leia Adventure (Young Readers' Book)
• Star Wars: The Escape (Comic)
• Star Wars: The Scourging of Shu-Torun (Comic)
• Age of Rebellion: Luke Skywalker (Comic)
• Star Wars: Rebels and Rogues (Comic)
• Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
• Star Wars: The Destiny Path (Comic)
• Star Wars: Operation Starlight (Comic)
• The Mandalorian, "Chapter 16: The Rescue"
• Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters (2021)
• Star Wars Adventures (2020) #11-12, “Squad Goals” (Comic)
• Star Wars: Hidden Empire (Comic)
• Star Wars (2020) #19-20, “Dangerous Lessons” (Comic)
• The Book of Boba Fett, "Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger"
• Shadow of the Sith (Novel)
• The Princess and the Scoundrel (Novel)
• Star Wars (2020) #26-28, "The Path to Victory" (Comic)
• Hyperspace Stories #2
• Star Wars (2020) #29-33, “Lost in No-Space” (Comic)
• Doctor Aphra (2020) #31-34, “Dead Ringer” (Comic)
• Star Wars: Dark Droids (Comic)

Frequently asked questions

What about the old stuff? When should I read Splinter of the Mind’s Eye, Heir to the Empire, or the Yuuzhan Vong war, or any of the stuff Luke appears in outside of the movies until 2015?

Whenever you like. In 2014, Disney and the Lucas Story Group streamlined the Star Wars canon to the movies, the Clone Wars TV show, and some miscellaneous supporting material. Everything since then has existed within the same continuity, and that current view of Luke’s journey is our focus here.

How old is Luke, anyway?

This is fairly simple to keep track of, as we know the moment Luke was born in Episode III. Luke is 19 years old in A New Hope, 22 in Empire Strikes Back, 23 in Return of the Jedi, 28 when he shows up to collect Grogu in The Mandalorian, and 53 in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

Are these comics and novels and so on really important to understanding Luke’s journey?

Not to the story of the films. But for those of us who identify with Luke and want to know more about him as a character, these stories explore Luke’s questions of identity over accepting the responsibility of continuing a millenia-old tradition he never truly got to know first hand. How did the bright-eyed Luke who dreamed of a galaxy beyond his twin suns become the somber green milk chugger of The Last Jedi? For the answer to that question, your journey begins here.

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How mythologist Joseph Campbell made Luke Skywalker a hero

The 1949 book hero with a thousand faces continues to influence films.

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* Originally published on September 3, 2019.

Hidden inside the plots of blockbuster movies like The Matrix and The Lion King is a storytelling structure called the "hero's journey." That structure found its biggest success in the 1977 megahit,  Star Wars , which was directly inspired by it.

But now some observers want the hero to take a rest.

The concept of the hero's journey was introduced in a book called The Hero With A Thousand Faces,  published in 1949 by American professor, Joseph Campbell. The book argued that all ancient mythology tells one core story: the human psyche's development from child to adult, and ultimately to fully realized individual.

Campbell went on to become a kind of rock-star intellectual, with public lectures, coffee table books and television specials. His work also found a home in Hollywood, especially after filmmaker George Lucas used the hero's journey theory as a model for Star Wars .

In the film, Luke Skywalker is young farm boy from Tatooine, whose journey begins with a call to adventure after he buys a pair of robots and discovers in them a hidden plea for help from Princess Leia. After he sets off on his quest, he undergoes a series of trials — featuring monsters, stormtroopers and a trash compactor — before rescuing the princess and destroying the Death Star. He eventually returns home to a hero's welcome. 

Sean Hood, who teaches screenwriting at the University of Southern California, says that after Star Wars  the hero's journey became a template for a money-making blockbuster.

"When Star Wars makes a bazillion dollars, people want to know: what is its secret? And that's the shimmer of Joseph Campbell's work," Hood said.

"It has this air of numinosity, it has this air of almost religious truth to it, and something vaguely special and sacred. And Hollywood eats that up. It's a great story."  

But Hood also has his suspicions about the hero's journey as Campbell has characterized it.

Dangers of the hero's journey

Hood argues that there is something "very egotistical" about the hero structure. It places the protagonist at the centre of the universe.

"Everything depends on whether The One in The Matrix is going to be successful or not, the hero is going to save the world or not," he said.

Hood explains that these kinds of stories give viewers a kind of "egotistical self-importance," and contrasts it with stories that have multiple points of views.

"That kind of sophistication is important because otherwise movies just go to reinforce the sense that we are the centre of the universe, and everything is about us," he said.

"That's, I think, the political danger. If everyone is thinking that they're the hero, then there's no possibility of thinking with compassion from the point of view of other people who are experiencing completely different stories as you are."

The Hero With A Thousand Faces was named by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential books of all time. It's gone through countless reprintings and has been the subject of television specials, like the 1988 Bill Moyers series on PBS, "Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth."

Yet academic mythologists aren't quite so enamoured by Campbell as his readers are.

The myth about mythology

Keith Dickson, a professor of Classics at Purdue University, says Campbell's work gives people the wrong idea about the purpose of mythology.

"Despite the pretense that these are ancient stories conveying what Joseph Campbell would call 'boons from the transcendent deep,' these are basically stories that are told by those in power in order to convince others that they should have power."

Dickson cites the story of Pandora's Box, the ancient Greek myth about the creation of woman, which depicts women as bottomless containers of nothing but evil and despair.  

"Ancient Greek society considered women a threat to the integrity of families, a subject of uncontrollable sexual desire," he said. "Urban Greeks tended to sequester their women, to lock them up."

He says that in some cases, a myth can be used to justify damaging social practices.

"I think my opinion of Campbell's pretty clear: I think he's a showman. I think my opinion about myth is pretty clear: I think myth does more damage than good. I think my proposal for the only effective response to myth being suspicion and critical analysis is also pretty clear."    

In the program:

Daniel Gorman Jr. is a Ph.D. student in Religious Studies at the University of Rochester

Laurel Bowman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Greek and Roman Studies at the University of Victoria. 

Sean Hood is a screenwriter and Professor at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts

Kim Hudson is the author of The Virgin's Promise: Writing Stories of Feminine Creative, Spiritual, and Sexual Awakening.

Robert Segal is a Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen

Keith Dickson is a Professor of Classics at Purdue University

** This episode was produced by Matthew Lazin-Ryder.

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Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker was a Tatooine farmboy who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest Jedi the galaxy has ever known. Along with his friends Princess Leia and Han Solo, Luke battled the evil Empire, discovered the truth of his parentage, and ended the tyranny of the Sith. A generation later, the location of the famed Jedi master was one of the galaxy’s greatest mysteries. Haunted by Ben Solo’s fall to evil and convinced the Jedi had to end, Luke sought exile on a distant world, ignoring the galaxy’s pleas for help. But his solitude would be interrupted – and Luke Skywalker had one final, momentous role to play in the struggle between good and evil.

• Star Wars: A New Hope (Episode IV)
• Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (Episode VI)
• Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III)
• Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V)
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Episode VII)
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Episode VIII)
• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Episode IX)
• Obi-Wan Kenobi
• The Book of Boba Fett
• Star Wars Rebels
• Star Wars: Tiny Death Star
• Star Wars: Tiny Death Star (SEA)
• Star Wars Arcade
• Star Wars: Battlefront
• A Sticker Book Far, Far Away
• Yoda's Jedi Training - Star Wars Arcade
• !!! TEST - Star Wars Arcade 2.0
• Disney Infinity 3.0 - Character Quest
• Star Wars: Rivals
• Jedi Mind Match
• Rebel Alliance
• Lars Moisture Farm
• Polis Massa
• Height: 1.72m
• Blaster Pistol
• Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber (Green Blade)
• Skywalker lightsaber
• Snowspeeder
• T-16 Skyhopper
• X-wing Starfighter
• X-34 Landspeeder
• Moisture Vaporator

Raised by his aunt and uncle on a Tatooine moisture farm , Luke Skywalker never knew his mother or father. He knew nothing of the Force or Jedi, but longed for a more exciting life. Soon he would have it. With his Uncle Owen’s purchase of new droids R2-D2 and C-3PO , a chain of events was put in place that would change Luke -- and the galaxy -- forever. Artoo, a plucky astromech droid, wandered off in his first night on the farm, telling C-3PO he had to deliver a message to someone named Obi-Wan Kenobi . When Luke went looking for the lost droid, he was attacked by Tusken Raiders and knocked unconscious. Before he could be taken captive, friendly hermit Ben Kenobi appeared and frightened off the Sand People. Ben revealed that he was indeed Obi-Wan Kenobi, and had something that belonged to Luke’s father: a lightsaber , the weapon of a Jedi. Obi-Wan said that he and Luke’s father were both Jedi Knights, strong with the Force, and good friends. Luke knew none of this, and asked how his father died. The old Jedi said that his former student, Darth Vader, turned to the dark side and killed him.

Obi-Wan and Luke soon discovered that Artoo was indeed carrying a message after all. It was a holorecording of Princess Leia , stating that she had hidden stolen plans for the Empire ’s ultimate weapon, the Death Star, in the memory banks of Artoo; she asked that Kenobi deliver the plans to her father on Alderaan . Obi-Wan implored Luke to come with him, but the farmboy refused. However, he and Obi-Wan found that the Jawas who sold his uncle Artoo and Threepio had been slaughtered by stormtroopers -- and they may have traced them back home. Luke raced to the moisture farm, only to find the charred remains of his guardians. Stoic, he decided to leave Tatooine, vowing to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like his father.

Along with hired pilot Han Solo and his co-pilot and friend Chewbacca, Luke, Obi-Wan, and the droids headed for Alderaan aboard the Millennium Falcon . But when they arrived, the planet wasn’t there -- only rubble, as it had been destroyed by the Empire’s Death Star. The Falcon was soon caught in the tractor beam of the giant space station, but it proved fortuitous; Princess Leia was being held there. Luke and Han, in stormtrooper disguises, staged a rescue while Obi-Wan disengaged the tractor beam. The Jedi Master, however, encountered his old student, Darth Vader, and was killed in battle. Luke saw it happen shortly before escaping in the Falcon , and was deeply affected by the loss of his mentor.

The small band of heroes regrouped with the Rebel Alliance on Yavin 4 . With the Death Star plans successfully delivered, Luke joined the mission to destroy the battle station, piloting an X-wing under the call sign Red Five. In the ensuing battle, the Rebels suffered heavy losses, and Darth Vader entered the fray in his TIE Advanced . One of the last remaining pilots, Luke flew through the Death Star trench at blinding speed with the goal of shooting a volley of proton torpedoes into a small exhaust port. Vader closed in, ready to destroy Luke's starship -- noting that “the Force is strong with this one” -- but a surprise blast from Han and the Millennium Falcon sent Vader's fighter tumbling into space, clearing Luke for the shot. Calling on the Force with guidance from Obi-Wan’s disembodied voice, the Jedi-to-be delivered a precise shot, and the Death Star was destroyed.

Though the Rebel Alliance had struck a major blow against the Empire with the destruction of the Death Star, the war was far from over. The Alliance built a new secret base on the ice planet Hoth , with Luke now a commander. While out on patrol, Luke spotted what he thought was a meteor impact on the surface -- in reality, it was an Imperial probe droid . Before he could inspect it, however, Luke was viciously attacked by a towering wampa . Though Luke escaped the ice creature’s cave, severing the monster’s arm with his lightsaber, the young Jedi nearly died from the frigid surface temperatures. It was also at this time that he was visited by the spectre of Obi-Wan Kenobi, who instructed him to go to the Dagobah system. There, he would learn the ways of the Force from Yoda , a Jedi Master. Han eventually found Luke, keeping him warm inside a tauntaun ’s belly until help could arrive. Luke recovered from his injuries and lead the Rebel defense against the Empire’s ground forces, including massive AT-AT walkers , giving the Alliance time to evacuate the planet.

Luke headed to Dagobah as instructed and found Yoda. He was not what Luke expected -- small, alien, and green, with a unique backwards way of speaking. Luke trained hard, failing often but learning much from his wise Master. During an exercise, the young Jedi saw a vision of his friends in pain; Luke cut his training short -- against Yoda's wishes -- to help them. He left for Cloud City where Darth Vader awaited, hoping to capture Luke and bring him to the Emperor . They dueled, but Luke was outmatched and overpowered. Luke was battered and bloodied in the fight, losing a hand, and the Sith Lord revealed a frightening truth: that he was in fact Luke’s father. Vader wanted his son to join him on the dark side, and together they could overthrow the Emperor and rule the galaxy. Luke was shattered and in disbelief. He refused to turn, managing to escape with his life.

With Han frozen in carbonite and held in Jabba the Hutt’s palace on Tatooine, Luke led a mission to rescue his old friend. Now a powerful Jedi Knight, Luke tried to bargain for Han’s life but the crime lord refused. Through a trap door, he dispatched the Jedi into an underground dungeon and unleashed his massive rancor creature. But to the shock of Jabba and his henchmen, Luke was able to destroy the beast. Incensed, the gangster sentenced Luke and his friends to die in the Sarlacc , but again, the Jedi was underestimated. Luke decimated Jabba’s men, and the group of heroes completed their rescue.

With Han safe, Luke returned to Dagobah to complete his training. Yoda, however, was dying. In his final moments, the old Master told Luke that he required no more lessons, but he had to confront Darth Vader -- who was his true father -- once more. Yoda also told him of another Skywalker, who Obi-Wan would confirm was Leia, his twin sister.

Meanwhile, the Empire was constructing a new Death Star -- with the Emperor personally overseeing its completion. Utilizing stolen schematics, the Rebel Alliance formulated a plan to destroy this new superweapon. Luke joined his friends for the mission on Endor , but departed when he sensed Vader’s presence. Luke believed there was still good in his father, that the Emperor had not driven it from him fully. He tried to convert Vader to the light side, but the Dark Lord claimed it was too late. Instead, he brought Luke before the Emperor on the Death Star. The evil Sith Master looked to turn Luke to the dark side, and goaded him into a duel with his father. When Vader suggested that Leia could be turned to evil, Luke embraced his rage and pummeled his father relentlessly -- giving the Emperor exactly what he wanted. But before he delivered the killing blow, Luke paused, remembering his teachings. Calming himself, Luke threw away his weapon. “I am a Jedi, like my father before me,” he said. The Emperor, confounded by Luke’s actions, unleashed Force lightning upon the young Jedi. Vader rose and threw the Emperor down a deep shaft, his true self reawakened by his son’s love. Luke had one final moment with his father, and escaped the space station before it was destroyed. The once reckless farmboy’s journey was complete: he was a mature Jedi, freedom was restored to the galaxy, and his compassion had saved his father.

After the Battle of Endor, Luke traveled the galaxy with R2-D2, seeking long-forgotten Jedi lore as he pondered how to resurrect the Jedi order. But his efforts ended with one of his apprentices leaving his plans in ruin. After this tragedy Luke vanished, and no one knew where he had chosen to spend his self-imposed exile.

The scavenger Rey tracked Luke down on Ahch-To , and pleaded with him to return and help the Resistance . Rey also needed his help to understand her burgeoning Force powers. Luke refused, telling her it was time for the Jedi to end. When Rey resisted refused to leave, Luke reluctantly agreed to teach her enough that she would understand why he had made his decision.

Rey insisted that the galaxy needed the legend of Luke Skywalker, a plea that seemed to fall on deaf ears. She left  Ahch-To , but Luke had opened himself to the Force – and a last lesson from his old master,  Yoda . Luke projected himself through the Force to confront  Kylo Ren  on  Crait , giving the  Resistance  a chance to escape the  First Order . He passed into the Force, but his legend would continue to inspire the galaxy.

Bad Motivator

One in a Million Shot

There is No Conflict

Luke's Surrender

Arriving on Dagobah

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Luke Skywalker Biography Gallery

Luke Skywalker Hero's Journey is a Hero's Journey event that requires five specific characters to go through 6 Tiers in order to unlock Commander Luke Skywalker .

• 3 Fight Mechanics

Requirements Stars: 3+ Units: Luke Skywalker (Farmboy) , Obi-wan Kenobi (Old Ben) , R2-D2 Rewards

Enemies Wave 1

Requirements Complete Tier I Stars: 4+ Units: Luke Skywalker (Farmboy) , Obi-wan Kenobi (Old Ben) , R2-D2 Rewards

Requirements Complete Tier II Stars: 5+ Units: Luke Skywalker (Farmboy) , Stormtrooper Han Rewards

Requirements Complete Tier III Stars: 6+ Units: Princess Leia , Luke Skywalker (Farmboy) Rewards

Requirements Complete Tier IV Stars: 7 Units: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Old Ben) Rewards

Requirements Complete Tier V Stars: 7 Units: Luke Skywalker (Farmboy) , Princess Leia , Stormtrooper Han , R2-D2 Rewards

Fight Mechanics

To be added

Final Tier: 1) I used g7 Luke/R2 and g8 STHan/Leia. STHan could possibly do at g7 with better mods.

2) I found at this gear, STHan, R2, and Leia all benefited from 5 dot mods with speed primary arrow. I will add more on mods later. Luke managed with a 4 dot speed primary arrow.

3) p1 can use auto, p2 basic, and p3 manual

4) Turn order: R2, Leia, other 2 Mine was 206 R2, 198 Leia, 163 Luke, 156 STHan.

5) p3: Stun 1 stormtrooper with R2. Dispel 1 Stormtrooper with Luke special, and basic with Leia. Taunt with Han unless R2 is marked. Restart if Leia/Luke is marked. R2 should stealth target Han if he’s taunting, or himself if he’s marked. Leia stealth/basic. R2 burn on his 3rd turn. Kill order: Stormtrooper not dispelled, Scout Trooper, Recon Trooper, Commander, 2nd tank unless it taunts (then just get rid)

• Ability lvls: Omega on Special, Basic lvl 7/8, Leader lvl 1, Unique lvl 5

• Ability lvls: Omega on Basic, Omega on Special, lvl 1 leader, lvl 6/7 Unique
• Ability Lvls: Lvl 7 Basic, Lvl 7 Special, Lvl 7 Leader (maxed), Lvl 7 Unique

• Ability Lvls: Lvl 7 Basic, Lvl 7 Smoke Screen, Lvl 5 Burn, Lvl 5 Combat Analysis, Lvl 6 Number Crunch

• Ability Lvls: Lvl 5 Basic, Lvl 5 Specials, Lvl 5 Leader, Lvl 1 Unique
• Hero's Journey
• Journey Guide

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The Last Jedi and the Hero’s Journey – Part Three: Luke

In this series, we analyze the use of the Hero’s Journey framework in The Last Jedi to advance the story arcs of the main characters. The first post discusses how the Hero’s Journey models fit within the structure of a Star Wars movie trilogy, and examines Rey’s path in the film as an extended metamorphosis phase of her overall heroic journey. The second post considers Finn’s development in the next stage of his story and the character archetypes in the film. In this post, we assess a character who is much farther along in his life’s journey, Luke Skywalker, and compare his later-stage heroic cycle to two other Jedi Masters in today’s Star Wars storytelling.

Luke Skywalker and the Wizard’s Journey

Needless to say, Luke Skywalker’s character arc does not advance in The Force Awakens when his sole appearance is limited to a silent, mournful turn-and-lower-the-cowl interaction with Rey in the movie’s epilogue. In dialogue from other characters, though, particularly Han, we learn hints of what has transpired for Luke since Return of the Jedi . In The Last Jedi we learn a great deal more about those past events – and see glimpses of them in memories – but also witness Luke undertake the final cycle of his Hero’s Journey.

Few characters, even in a sprawling epic saga like Star Wars, are able to earn the storytelling endurance to give the audience the chance to watch them grow and change multiple times over the span of their tales. This makes Luke an interesting character to analyze from the perspective of the Hero’s Journey, because the films portray his path through three iterations of an heroic cycle.

Campbell’s framework influenced George Lucas not only in the crafting of the first movie, but also in the shape of Luke’s path in The Empire Strike Back and Return of the Jedi as another iteration of the Hero’s Journey. The second film in the Original Trilogy serves as an extended “Initiation” phase, building on the “Departure” established in the first film. Luke faces a series of trials on Hoth, barely surviving his abduction by the wampa before aiding the Rebellion in its narrow escape from the Imperial assault on Echo Base. He then confronts further trials in his Jedi apprenticeship on Dagobah, from his initial misjudgment of Yoda to his failure in the tree cave. Luke’s last test is his vision of his friends in danger, and he rejects the admonitions of Yoda and Ben Kenobi to stay to complete his training. As a consequence, he is unprepared in both Jedi skills and emotional fortitude for his duel with Darth Vader and the revelation of his father’s true identity.

Luke’s third heroic cycle is his transformation from Jedi Knight to Jedi Master. So far, this story remains untold on its own terms, although The Last Jedi and various ancillary stories and sourcebooks provide the broad brushstrokes of his path. After the Empire’s final defeat by the Rebellion at the Battle of Jakku and the formation of the New Republic as the governing authority for much of the galaxy, Luke could turn his attention away from the war and to the task Yoda had set for him: to pass on what he had learned about the Jedi way. Initially he focuses on recovering as much knowledge about the Jedi, and other perspectives on the Force, as he is able to track down after the Emperor’s vicious purges. Ultimately he forms a Jedi training temple, taking on a dozen students including his nephew Ben Solo. At this point Luke has become the teacher, not the learner, earning the title of Jedi Master.

Like them, Luke’s path to transcendental mastery of the Force – his fourth cycle in his heroic journey – is marred by tragedy and failure. Qui-Gon was alienated from the Jedi Council for his unorthodox views, then struck down still in his prime after discovering the vergence in the Force centered on young Anakin Skywalker. Obi-Wan watched his former apprentice and best friend succumb to his own worst emotions, falling to the dark side and becoming Darth Vader. Together, Kenobi and Yoda watched the Sith massacre the Jedi and destroy everything the Order had sought to preserve for millennia. Luke, too, suffered the loss of his dearest pupil to the dark side, the massacre of his other students, and the rise of the First Order seeking to undo the good achieved by the Rebellion and the New Republic.

For more on Luke Skywalker and his Wizard’s Journey in The Last Jedi , check out Tricia Barr’s feature article in Star Wars Insider #180, coming soon.

Jedi Masters in Star Wars Rebels

In considering Luke’s later heroic cycles to become a Jedi Master and a transcendental mystic, it is worth examining the similarities to two other characters in recent Star Wars storytelling, as seen in Star Wars Rebels .

One is Kanan Jarrus. As a Padawan named Caleb Dume who fought in the Clone Wars, he has an extensive background in Jedi tutelage from years in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. After barely surviving Order 66, though, he changes his name and conceals his Jedi identity. The Kanan comics and the novel A New Dawn show glimpses of the life in hiding, often in the underworld, that Kanan lived to survive under the reign of the Empire. The premiere of Star Wars Rebels , “Spark of Rebellion,” shows Kanan’s heroic journey as a Jedi resume, as he openly wields his lightsaber against stormtroopers to save the mission. Over the course of the first season, culminating in his final duel with the Grand Inquisitor, Kanan completes his own personal informal Jedi trials and becomes a Jedi Knight. But now the Ghost crew has adopted Ezra as one of their own, and Kanan must figure out how to teach him about the Force. Like Obi-Wan at the end of The Phantom Menace , Kanan is a newly minted Knight himself when he takes on the challenging task of training a Jedi apprentice.

The second and third seasons of Rebels portray Kanan’s next heroic cycle. At first he struggles to train Ezra, even reaching the point of believing he is incapable of being Ezra’s master, before he and his apprentice realize that neither one of them can fulfill their potential without the other. Kanan is challenged by the countervailing temptation offered by Maul, and Ezra’s misplaced trust in Maul ultimately leads to Kanan’s blinding. On Atollon it is The Bendu who helps Kanan realize how much more about the Force he still has left to learn. Though Phoenix Squadron is nearly vanquished and the Ghost crew barely escapes Thrawn’s assault alive, Kanan tells Ezra he has hope – because Kanan has emerged from his trials as a Jedi Master. With the fourth season of Rebels still ongoing, it is too soon to know how Kanan’s story resolves.

Ahsoka presumably did not have meaningful interactions with other Jedi, though, until the events in Star Wars Rebels , when she reveals herself to the Ghost crew at the end of season one. At that point both Kanan and Ezra are still very much in need of guidance – and self-aware of that need, as well – about their respective journeys along the Jedi path. Over the course of season two, Ahsoka becomes a Jedi mentor figure to each of them in different ways, drawing on her own past as a Padawan to help Ezra with the struggles of being an apprentice and Kanan with the challenges of being a teacher.

At Malachor her destiny brings Ahsoka’s journey full circle to a showdown with her fallen former master. Like Obi-Wan in A New Hope and Luke in The Last Jedi , Ahsoka accepts that her highest duty as a master is to be willing to sacrifice herself so that the heroes of the future can escape and survive to continue the fight against the darkness another day.

Part Four continues with Kylo Ren and the Villain’s Journey.

Related posts:

• The Last Jedi and the Hero’s Journey – Part One: Rey
• The Last Jedi and the Hero’s Journey – Part Two: Finn
• Leia Organa and the Wizard’s Journey in Leia At Risk Revisited: The Stakes After The Last Jedi
• The Last Jedi and the Hero’s Journey – Part Four: Kylo Ren
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B.J. Priester has been a Star Wars fan since he played with the original Kenner action figures as a young boy. His fandom passion returned after watching Attack of the Clones in 2002 and reading the entire New Jedi Order series in 2003. He voraciously caught up on the novels and comics in the Expanded Universe in addition to writing fanfiction, frequently co-authoring with Tricia. B.J. has served as editor of FANgirl Blog from its inception, as well as contributing reviews and posts on a range of topics. He edited Tricia’s novel Wynde, and is collaborating with her on several future projects set in that original universe. Currently a tenured law professor in Florida, B.J. has been a practicing lawyer in Washington, D.C., a law clerk to a federal appeals court judge, and a law journal editor-in-chief. He is also a proud geek dad whose son who is a big fan of Star Wars and The Clone Wars.

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How Star Wars: A New Hope Popularized the Hero's Journey in Pop Culture

The original Star Wars film is often known for its fascinating world, but its impact on storytelling structure is perhaps more profound.

The Hero's Journey is a storytelling structure that has been used by a multitude of different cultures throughout history. Star Wars: A New Hope , released in 1977, is often regarded as a primary example of this form of storytelling and is certainly one of the most impactful.

The Hero's Journey is a guide for storytelling that involves a hero who embarks on a quest, faces threats and obstacles, and ultimately achieves a great victory and transforms as a character in some way. This structure got its name from mythologist Joseph Campbell in his widely popular book The Hero with a Thousand Faces , which is now considered the gold standard by storytellers in literature, film, television, and even video games.

RELATED: An Unlikely Character Knew About Luke Skywalker's Connection to Darth Vader

Star Wars Starts With a Young Boy Longing for Adventure

In Star Wars: A New Hope , the hero of the story is farm boy Luke Skywalker, a young man who lives on the remote desert planet of Tatooine. Constantly working on moisture vaporators and living an unfulfilled life, Luke dreams of adventure. When two droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO, crash land onto Luke Skywalker's home world, he will receive just that. When these two droids introduce him to a hermit named Old Ben Kenobi , Luke's life changes forever. Old Ben reveals himself to be Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and tells Luke about The Force, a mysterious energy that binds the galaxy together, and reveals that Luke has the potential to be a great Jedi Knight, like his father before him.

After learning these great revelations, Luke embarks on a journey that takes him across the galaxy and introduces him to a wide range of fascinating characters, both good and evil. Along the way, he faces numerous challenges and trials, including fighting Storm Troopers , escaping the clutches of the all-powerful Darth Vader , and ultimately fighting against The Galactic Empire. Despite danger at every turn, Luke perseveres and eventually triumphs over the evil Empire, exploding the Death Star and saving the Rebel Alliance. In the process, he also achieves a deep knowledge of the Force and becomes a Jedi Knight. His transformation marks the end of his hero's journey and serves as an epic conclusion to the film.

There are several reasons why The Hero's Journey works so well in A New Hope . One is that it shows a clear and compelling narrative arc for the film. The Hero's Journey gives the story a clear beginning, middle, and end, with each stage building upon the last one and culminating in a final, dramatic conclusion. This type of structure helps to keep the viewer interested in the story and helps to build suspense and tension as Luke faces improbable odds of victory.

RELATED: How Long Rey Trained To Become a Jedi Compared to Luke in Star Wars

The World Needed a New Hope in Star Wars

The Hero's Journey also works in A New Hope because it allows Lucas to explore deeper themes and ideas. The Hero's Journey is not just a story structure but also a way of examining the human condition. By following a hero, the film is able to delve into the themes of good versus evil, the importance of friendship and loyalty, and self-discovery. These are themes that every single person can relate to, regardless of background or way of life.

Before the release of Star Wars in 1977, the landscape of cinema lacked the necessary heroes for society to look up to. Science fiction films of the time often depicted the pessimistic nature of humans and their future societies, such as Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey . The world was also going through an intense period of politics and global conflicts, such as The Vietnam War , which in addition to the horrific destruction, left people feeling down about the state of the world. This set the stage for an optimistic adventure of heroism in a galaxy far, far away. After the profound success of the film opening in theaters, a notable shift started to happen in the filmmaking world, with many stories popping up featuring new iconic heroes such as Indiana Jones (another Lucas creation), brought to life by the legendary Steven Spielberg .

A New Hope remains a monumental classic many years later because The Hero's Journey is a timeless structure. This form of storytelling has been used for centuries to tell stories about heroes and continues to be a popular, effective narrative structure today. Using The Hero's Journey, A New Hope can tap into a universal human experience that transcends cultural and historical boundaries. This helps to make the film appealing to audiences of all ages and backgrounds and contributes to its enduring popularity.

RELATED: The Biggest Star Wars TV Moments of 2022

Obi-Wan Kenobi's Sacrifice Was Instrumental in Luke's Transformation

One of the best ways that Star Wars: A New Hope utilizes The Hero's Journey is in how it uses The Hero's lowest point in the story, also known as The Dark Night of the Soul. This part of any story is crucial for getting an audience excited and engaged about the third act, the most important part of a film. The lowest point for Luke Skywalker comes when he loses his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi. After being an extremely kind and knowledgeable teacher throughout the film, Obi-Wan allows himself to be struck down by Sith Lord Darth Vader to show Luke the true power of The Force. With his former mentor dead, Luke enters a deep sadness. However, this sadness only motivates him to become a powerful Jedi and defeat The Empire. When all hope seems lost, Obi-Wan's voice returns from the spirit world, telling Luke to switch off his targeting computer and rely on The Force to complete his mission. If Obi-Wan had survived his encounter with Vader on the Death Star, he would not have been able to teach Luke this valuable lesson.

There is no denying that Star Wars is one of the largest and most popular pieces of storytelling ever created, and that is no accident. George Lucas put extensive research into the mono myth known as The Hero's Journey and introduced the world to a hero when the world needed one the most. The franchise continues the trend of The Hero's Journey today, even with characters such as bounty hunters going through transformational arcs of their own in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.

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Star Wars: What Luke Skywalker’s Journey Says About Heroism in the Sequel Trilogy

Luke Skywalker's journey in The Last Jedi is the Sequel Trilogy's thesis on heroism in Star Wars.

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Star Wars: The Last Jedi makes a firm statement about the role of the Jedi as a force for good. In an interview with EW , Mark Hamill called Luke Skywalker ”someone who was the symbol of hope and optimism in the original films,” and The Last Jedi plays with this idea.  In the trailers for Episode VIII , Luke was presented as far from optimistic as a former hero could get, a broken curmudgeon who thought that the Jedi needed to die. Now that the movie is out, we have a definitive look at who Luke is to the Sequel Trilogy, and what The Last Jedi ’s portrayal of his optimism means for the saga. 

The Last Jedi ’s title turned out to be an epic misdirection. While Luke did believe that the Jedi had to die while he was in exile on Ahch-To, he learned that his own guilt was blinding him to the hope represented by Rey. In a powerful conversation with Yoda, Luke learned that failure is part of the Jedi journey and that his exile did not have to be the end for the light side of the Force. The way his return and death were treated in The Last Jedi shows that the Star Wars franchise is not interested in subverting Luke, or in trying to prove that his philosophy was wrong. Instead, the movie shows how even the greatest heroes must continue to grow and learn until their dying day.

Throughout the film, the Skywalker name is still treated like a beacon of hope despite what Luke or his bloodline have done.  Rogue One  showed us heroes who murdered allies, and the violent Partisan splinter group that believed in the basic tenants of the Rebellion. It made me wonder whether we would see the heroes of the Rebellion in the same light. A commonly cited fan theory suggested that the idea of balance in the Force means equal amounts of good and evil, but this always felt to me to be incompatible with the triumph of the Rebellion’s victory in  Return of the Jedi . Would Luke be shown as fallible and morally vague? 

It turns out that the answer for Luke is both yes and no. Writer-director Rian Johnson’s story sends him to a dark place. It would not surprise me to learn that one of the strongest points of contention between Johnson and Hamill, who was initially concerned about Luke’s portrayal in the film, was the moment in which Luke stands over Ben Solo with a lightsaber, considering killing his nephew. But that’s the beginning of the story of the Sequel Trilogy, not the ending. 

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Luke is a legend in  The Force Awakens . Both Rey and Finn refer to him as a myth, someone whose whereabouts are important enough to turn the tide of their own adventure. The First Order is gaining strength, but Luke is the secret weapon of the Resistance, and they push forward in the hope that they’ll find the Jedi Master. Despite being absent from most of the film, Luke manages to inspire Rey to trust in the Force through his legend – and with a little help from his old lightsaber. When Finn is faced with insurmountable odds at Starkiller Base, he decides to trust in the Force – even if he doesn’t actually know how the Force works. Luke’s ability to change the course of people’s lives for the better is pivotal to the story of the Sequel Trilogy despite the Jedi’s own insecurities and flaws.

The Last Jedi lays down several arguments for why fighting for the light side might not be all it’s cracked up to be: Luke blames his own hubris for Kylo Ren’s downfall, and trailers suggested that Rey might reject the ideas of the old Jedi Order in favor of embracing both the dark and the light. Star Wars usually takes a firm stance between the two sides, down to the colors of the characters’ costumes, and I hoped that The Last Jedi would continue to do the same instead of opening up a third path that dilutes the evil of the dark side and weakens the goodness of the light. To portray Rey as a Jedi more “gray” than the ones before would weaken her character, suggesting that she does not truly fit into the story of the Original Trilogy but is instead a means to criticize the Jedi of the past. Fortunately, the movie’s conclusion rejects the argument for a “grayer” Jedi: Rey does not join Kylo Ren, Luke does not forgive Ren for his crimes, and Luke compromises with, but does not entirely reject, Yoda’s own irreverent opinions of the Prequel era Jedi Order. 

This makes it especially significant that Rey notices that Luke cut himself off from the Force entirely. Even while speaking of balance, he is in fact disconnected from the cosmic energy entirely. Luke had not fallen to the dark side on Ahch-To; he had fallen out of the Force, outside of the balance he was supposedly preaching. When he returns, it’s with a powerful light side ability. The ability to project his image convincingly onto another planet is not one we’ve seen in Star Wars before, but it fits firmly into the light side of the Force: it’s not aggressive, and in fact can only effect some physical things. Instead, it’s thematically an extension of the mind trick, an ability that warps people’s senses. Like the first Force trick Obi-Wan ever showed him, Luke’s last act is one of gentle misdirection. 

Before I saw The Last Jedi , I wondered: Does Luke as a symbol of hope imply that Kylo will be redeemed? Or that Rey will bring back the Jedi? Turns out the latter is true, but not necessarily the former. Kylo Ren is evil enough, consciously choosing the dark side when offered an opportunity to turn back to the light, that he may be beyond redemption. Luke must learn to look beyond Kylo, a person who is also too consumed with his own emotions to see the bigger picture. Both Luke and Rey have to learn that Kylo’s choices are not their burden. With a wink, Luke disappears from Kylo’s life, while Rey shuts a metaphorical door on their Force connection.

Hamill compared Luke’s sadness over Ben’s fall and the rise of the First Order to his own reflections on the hippie era. In an interview with Rolling Stone , he said, “It was a movement that largely didn’t work. I thought about that. Back in the day, I thought, by the time we get into power, there will be no more wars…” This certainly matches the Luke we see in most of the film. His belief in his own powers as a means of bringing eternal peace to the galaxy proves to be a misguided one. Again, it’s Yoda who reminds Luke that he is just as responsible for the present as he is the future – that without fixing things in the now, he can’t possibly hope to create a better life for his friends. Luke needs to do the work, and because he is a powerful Jedi, death won’t be the end of his fight. His last words in The Last Jedi suggest that he might see Kylo again as a Force ghost. 

His death isn’t the end for the Jedi, either, since Rey chooses the light side and may carry on Luke’s legacy in her own way, as she interprets the ancient Jedi texts she stole from Ahch-To. The Last Jedi flirts with the idea that the division between the light and dark is itself incorrect, but in the end it debunks that idea entirely. Luke and the Jedi still symbolize hope for the galaxy through the light side, their choices, and their mistakes.

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Megan Crouse

Megan Crouse writes for Star Wars Insider and Star Wars.com and is a co-host on Den of Geek's Star Wars podcast, Blaster Canon. Twitter: @blogfullofwords

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Andor Radicalized the Hero’s Journey

The series took the world of star wars seriously, and in the process found new life within an old text..

Spoilers ahead for all of Andor season one, including finale ‘Rix Road.’

It’s one of Star Wars ’ most enduring images: A young Luke Skywalker looks out over the Tatooine dunes at the setting twin suns, yearning for a life larger than his own. There’s an elemental power to this picture, how it captures a youthful desire for adventure, meaning, everything . Of course, he gets exactly what he wants. Before long, young Skywalker is thrust into an adventure that takes him across the stars and far away from home, deep into an underdog rebellion’s struggle against a galactic empire. Much has already been written about Luke Skywalker and his relation to the monomythic Hero’s Journey, but it bears reiterating — there’s a reason for the lasting strength of this franchise.

It also bears reflection. I’m much older than when I first encountered what is now called A New Hope , having become a person who pays taxes and watches the world and has tasted some amount of salt. And at this age, I tend to find myself annoyed with how Luke’s desire to join the rebellion was originally driven by a wish for excitement as opposed to some sense of duty. Young Skywalker gazes longingly out at the horizon, pining for adventure, while all around him the people of Tatooine grind along under the yoke of the Empire. It’s not until Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru get torched by stormtroopers that the struggle becomes material to Luke, and even then, it’s still kind of personalized.

In the finale to Andor ’s outstanding first season, which is essentially about an awakening to a broader struggle, Cassian Andor comes home to Ferrix. He arrives at the beginning of this story no longer the same, having gone through hell and back with his experience at the Narkina 5 Imperial labor camp . Ferrix, too, is no longer what it was. The place is now deeper under the heel of Imperial control as a direct and indirect result of Andor’s actions — as a consequence of him killing two Pre-Mor security guards, resulting in the explosive imbroglio with Syril, Mosk (“pockets of fomenting!”), & Co., as well as an outcome of the Empire’s systematic response to the Aldhani heist. Friends have been harmed, lives overturned. Bix is no longer whole, rendered brain-scrambled via Imperial torture. At great risk, Andor has returned for his adoptive mother Maarva’s funeral, a moving ritual in which her ashes are cast into brick and set into a wall; one life of meaning memorialized as part of a whole. By the time he hears her holographic posthumous speech, which sparks Ferrix’s unrest into a full-blown uprising, Andor was already touching the point of complete transformation into a revolutionary. (Listening to those podcast recordings of Karis Nemik’s manifesto helped.)

It’s enthralling to read Cassian’s story as a mirror to Luke Skywalker’s. Where Luke is introduced to us as a picture of boyish innocence, we first meet Andor as a rogue, unafraid to murder and scrabbling together a life of tiny resistances. He’s a man who treats the prospect of a greater good with indifference. “Alliance, sep, guerilla, Partisan Front … I think it’s all useless,” Andor tells Luthen Rael, the shadowy spymaster who turns him into an asset. “Better to spit in their food and steal their trinkets,” Luthen provokes. “It’s better to live,” he replies. At this point, Andor’s goals are mostly interior to himself and the people within his circle: His life appears motivated by the pursuit of survival and the mystery of his sister, from whom he was separated as a child. In other words, Andor’s struggles are purely personal.

You can’t really blame the guy: Life in an intractably bad political system grinds you down, there’s only so much energy to give before it perhaps makes more sense just to focus on your own private world. Before long, though, Andor finds himself thrust deep into events far larger than himself, swept up in a slow-motion collision between a latter-stage Imperial bureaucracy and a revolutionary plot that will ultimately change him into becoming the kind of person he will be in Rogue One : a person who would give up his soul, and eventually his life, for the greater good. What’s so fascinating about Andor is how the bones of its Hero’s Journey — call to adventure, crossing the threshold, the road back, yadda yadda — essentially amounts to the story of an individual who is radicalized into rebellion.

One could certainly argue that Skywalker goes through a broadly similar transformation over the course of A New Hope and through Return of the Jedi . The young moisture farmer learns to become a rebel pilot, a Jedi, and a warrior for good by virtue of what makes him special, later grappling with what it means if the evil you’re fighting is a part of you. But owing to the pulp-adventure shape of the original Star Wars trilogy, those stories only ever revolve around Luke’s private universe. He fights for good, yes, but mostly he fights for his friends, his family, and eventually, his religion. Luke’s adventures bounce him across planets, from Tatooine to Bespin to Endor, but rarely do the original films imagine him in relation to the universe he traverses. Meanwhile, Cassian emerges throughout the season as a relatively ordinary person actively shaped into a hero by the many worlds he visits.

It is perhaps more possible to realize a story of Andor ’s scope through serialized television as opposed to a series of films — after all, a 12-episode season gives you a lot of room to world-build and weave in complexity. But I bring up Cassian’s story as a contrast to Luke’s not as a means to argue one’s superiority over the other. That’s boring. Rather, the point is to emphasize possibility. Star Wars is as pervasive a cultural object as there is, and Andor illustrates how new rabbit holes and new life can still be found within such an old text.

I’m far from the first person to sing the show’s praises. (Shout-out to my colleague Roxana Hadadi with the pitch of the century: Michael Clayton in space .) The remarkableness of Andor encompasses many aspects of the production: the utter confidence of its storytelling, led by Tony Gilroy; the richness of its political ideas, going far beyond what Star Wars has ever done in its films and prior live-action television output; Nicholas Brittell’s score, full of bangers Niamosi and otherwise; Luke Hull’s gorgeously considered production design, from the wall of gloves on Ferrix to the smudges on the windows of Eedy Karn’s middle-class Coruscant apartment; the glorious, glorious dialogue. (Luthen’s speech at the end of “One Way Out” is not something I’ll be forgetting anytime soon.) All these things put together would be genuine miracles on any TV show, let alone within the context of a modern Disney entertainment franchise fundamentally constructed to sell streaming subscriptions, merch, and amusement-park tickets.

But what specifically kicked my ass is just how seriously Tony Gilroy and company took the world of Star Wars , fully considering it as a tangible universe of actual people and material consequence. This is done primarily through the asking of simple questions about how this fictional reality works and how people exist within it, then enthusiastically tumbling down those rabbit holes. The end result is a vivid sense of verisimilitude, and boy, does Andor go so fucking hard in that regard. The Aldhani heist doesn’t target some galaxy-ending MacGuffin, but literal Imperial payroll. An empire doesn’t just rule with an iron fist, but also with COMSTAT-esque detention quotas. A prison break isn’t just an action set piece, but the logical end point of a process of which we’re shown almost every step.

The attention to detail in Andor is Better Call Saul –esque: Here’s a show that intimately knows the ways in which a sense of accounting leads to realism, and how that can produce a potent sense of narrative cause and effect. Now, as any evocation of Better Call Saul would suggest, I can see how some Star Wars fans and viewers could find Andor slow despite its craftsmanship, and how the series may well be among the least-watched Lucasfilm projects in years. We’ll see about the ultimate uptake; after all, the thing about streaming shows is they can theoretically provide value well beyond the release run, and it will be interesting to see how Disney’s move to air the first two episodes on ABC might change things up. In any case, Andor -heads won’t have to worry much, as the show was designed to unfold over two 12-episode seasons, and production just started on the second.

But it’s still reasonable for those of us who enjoy this take on Star Wars to sweat a bit. Andor is a breath of fresh air, a model of what we should want more of from our contemporary entertainment universe governed by competing all-consuming franchises — not necessarily something more “gritty and grounded,” just … different. There was a time, not long ago, where there existed the possibility of Star Wars as a narrative playground, one where more and different kinds of stories could be told, more characters could be foregrounded, more genres and filmmaking styles could be integrated into the core text. That hasn’t really come to pass, and with the continuous scuttling of previously announced projects, along with the indefinite shelving of Patty Jenkins’s theoretical Rogue Squadron movie, the fate of that particular vision for the franchise now seems tenuous.

So we’ve mostly been left with more of the same. Star Wars , particularly the films, trends toward planet-hopping high space opera, and has generally exhibited an excessive interest in the tribulations and fates of certain special people: the Skywalkers, yes, but also Jedis, Siths, Force users writ-large, legendary bounty hunters, little green chosen ones. Which is perfectly fine, it’s what has long been enjoyable about the franchise. But modern Star Wars has come to lean on this mode like a crutch, inhibiting the possibility for organic evolution. This was never more so than in the wake of The Last Jedi , which pushed the franchise with possibility-expanding provocations like “What if the meaningful people in this universe weren’t only tied to the Skywalker saga?” and “What if we had to reckon with the consequences that come with the swashbuckling antics of flyboy pilots?” The resulting overcorrection, The Rise of Skywalker , was as much of a creative disaster as it was an existential one, suggesting a franchise that’s fast running out of ideas. (The other live-action TV show from the Star Wars universe that came out this year, Obi-Wan Kenobi , while apparently widely watched, didn’t do much to dispel the notion.)

Andor feels like the project that splits the difference. Despite its contrast with the films, the show doesn’t necessarily carve itself out as entirely separate from the existing Star Wars tapestry. As the prequel to Rogue One , itself the prequel to A New Hope , we go into the series broadly knowing that the events ultimately lead to the mainline series’ attack on the Death Star, and the show operates as an effort to find new storytelling possibilities from the margins of the established mythos. This may well prove to not be enough. But even if Andor fails in being the Star Wars show that economically justifies a whole new artistic lane for the franchise, what it’s already given us is so radically interesting that you have to imagine it’s laying down some sort of foundation for future projects to come. “We need all the heroes we can get,” says Luthen to a wavering believer. In the world of Andor , to be a hero means a willingness to be a brick in the wall. Perhaps the same could be said of Andor itself.

• vulture section lede
• tony gilroy

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Star Wars: Hero’s Journey Example and Case Study

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Have you ever tried to apply The Hero's Journey to your book? It can feel overwhelming at times, but following a great example can help. As you sit down over the holidays to watch movies with your family and friends, enjoy the show, but also consider how the writers and directors make decisions to bring your favorite stories to life. Star Wars  works as a perfect study of how the hero's journey works and will help you structure a timeless story.

Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey is easily the most-used and most-loved storytelling structure in human history. It resonates with readers in ways that are as old as human D.N.A. itself. And George Lucas kept this in mind when writing and producing Star Wars.

This is also why there is no clearer use of the Hero's Journey than George Lucas's space opera, Star Wars .

Whether or not you particularly enjoy Star Wars (especially in light of the recent Disney sequels) or have even seen the original trilogy, you've surely heard enough about Star Wars to recognize its primary characters, symbols, and storytelling beats.

You can see my complete guide to the hero's journey here . Now, let's dive into the story of a boy on a desert planet who goes on to become a hero!

A Quick Summary of the Star Wars Hero's Journey

For the uninitiated, or those who haven't seen it in years, Star Wars: A New Hope is the story of Luke Skywalker, the nephew of a moisture farmer who longs to travel the stars and fight against the mighty Evil Empire. When he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, an aged Jedi Knight, he begins his adventure alongside smugglers Han Solo and Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2.

The antagonists of Star Wars are two of the leaders of the Empire, Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin. They command the Death Star, a new, moon-sized station station capable of destroying entire planets.

In their hunt for the elusive Rebel Alliance, Vader captures Princess Leia, a young representative who is secretly a Rebel agent. To deduce the location of the Rebels' secret base, Vader and Tarkin use the Death Star to destroy Leia's home planet of Alderaan.

Aboard the Millenium Falcon, Luke Skywalker and his companions enter the Death Star and successfully free Princess Leia and escape, but not before Obi-Wan is killed in a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader. They fly back to the Rebel Base, only to realize that the Empire has been tracking them, and now the Death Star is bearing down on their secret headquarters.

A grand space battle ensues, Luke piloting a X-Wing fighter craft. In the nick of time, Luke uses the Force to fire torpedoes into the Death Star's main exhaust port, blowing up the entire space station. Vader escapes in his fighter craft, but Tarkin is killed.

The heroes return to a grand welcome and hope is restored to the galaxy!

Of course there are more Star Wars films, and this analysis will allude to several of them. However, the majority of our exploration of the Star Wars Hero's Journey will stay with the 1977 original film, as George Lucas was careful to craft a story that was heavily based on ancient archetypes that have worked for millennia.

The Characters of Star Wars

George Lucas began planning his space opera by sketching out the characters . He knew, like Campbell knew, that great stories are built on the foundation of great characters.

First, we have the Hero in Luke Skywalker. What makes him the Hero? Mainly, these three factors:

• His goal is empathetic.
• His pursuit of that goal drives the narrative.
• He grows and changes while pursuing the goal.

On that journey, Luke comes into conflict with the story's Shadow , Darth Vader. Unlike Luke, Vader's goal (to smash the Rebellion against the Empire) is not empathetic. Vader's attempts to find the Death Star plans and destroy the Rebels obstruct Luke's goal throughout the story.

Luke also makes a pair of friends, or Loyal Retainers , in Han Solo and Chewbacca the Wookie.

Their loyalty is tested, however, when the Rebels choose to attack the Death Star. And while Han abandons Luke during the Approach step of the Hero's Journey, he returns during the Resurrection , providing a cathartic climax that sees evil destroyed and good triumph on multiple levels.

Luke isn't with a Mentor , either. Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi arrives to provide both the story's Call to Adventure , or Inciting Incident, and then guide Luke on the path to the way of the Jedi and the Force. As can be expected in a Hero's Journey, the Mentor is killed (or is he?) along the way, leaving Luke to face the Shadow on his own.

Finally, Luke encounters a number of Threshold Guardians who attempt to destroy him and his fellow rebel forces. Jawas, Sand People (or Tuskan Raiders, for the nerds who are carefully judging this analysis), Stormtroopers, the Trash Compactor Monster, the Death Star cannons, the TIE fighters, and Vader himself all put themselves between Luke and his goal along the way.

The Structure of Star Wars

These characters archetypes , and more, fill a story that is designed to follow all twelve steps of the Hero's Journey, often reusing or overlapping steps for maximum effect. Here's how Star Wars: A New Hope uses all twelve steps as checkpoints that move its story forward with incredible storytelling power.

Step 1: The Ordinary World

Ordinary World : Luke lives in Tatooine but doesn't like it. Like all Heroes, his eyes are drawn to the horizon where he longs to achieve heroic deeds in the rebellion against the Empire.

Step 2: The Call to Adventure

Call to Adventure : After buying a pair of seemingly inconsequential robots, Luke discovers that his R2 droid contains the Death Star plans and could help the Rebels destroy this planet-killing weapon. Obi-Wan Kenobi then calls Luke to action, saying, “You must learn the ways of the Force if you're to come with me to Alderaan.”

Step 3: The Refusal of the Call

Refusal of the Call : Luke balks at this invitation, overwhelmed at the sudden change sweeping his life. “I can't get involved! I've got work to do! It's not that I like the Empire. I hate it! But there's nothing I can do about it right now. It's such a long way from here.”

Step 4: Meeting the Mentor

Meeting the Mentor : Technically, Luke has already met his mentor. But the active mentoring begins when Luke hurries home, only to find the compound burning and his aunt and uncle murdered by stormtroopers of the Empire.

Luke stands before Obi-Wan, heartbroken. “There's nothing you could have done, Luke, had you been there,” Obi-Wan says. “You'd have been killed, too, and the droids would be in the hands of the Empire.” Then Luke commits to joining the old Jedi and venturing into the unknown toward Alderaan.

Step 5: Crossing the Threshold

Crossing the Threshold : The story then pauses to show how consequential this choice is, showing Luke, Obi-Wan, and the droids standing atop a massive cliff. They look down into the valley below. Then Obi-Wan utters, “Mos Eisley Spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious.”

It is at this point that our Hero, Luke, crosses from the safe and familiar to the unfamiliar.

Step 6: Trials, Allies, and Enemies

Trials, Allies, and Enemies : Luke begins the middle of the story by acquiring a pair of allies, or Loyal Retainers: Han Solo and Chewbacca. However, he also encounters an enemy when a disfigured man accosts him at the bar.

The conflict escalates as Luke and his companions escape from Tatooine, infiltrate the Death Star, rescue Princess Leia (who seems to play the archetypal role of the Damsel in Distress, but with no distress whatsoever), survive the trash compactor, disable the tractor beam, and escape the Death Star thanks to Obi-Wan's sacrifice.

If it seems like this summary has hit the fast-forward button, it does for a reason. Step #6 is the longest step in any heroic journey, but often contains scenes that shrink down the entire structure into a chapter or two.

In the case of Star Wars, one can see numerous calls to adventure, refusals, threshold crossings, the gaining of an ally or knowledge of an enemy, approaching an ordeal, the ordeal itself (often with a self-contained resurrection), and then a reward. This is Story Structure 101: Any Hero's Journey will contain smaller, miniature heroic journeys sharing the same archetypal D.N.A.

Step 7: The Approach

Approach : Having escaped the Death Star, the heroes fly to Yavin 4 where the Rebel Base has been hidden. The Death Star plans are extracted from R2 and a weakness is indeed found. The fighter pilots receiving a briefing about this weakness and plan their strategy.

Meanwhile, Han Solo decides not to join the rebels, deeming the attack “my idea of suicide.” He takes his financial reward for rescuing Princess Leia and flees with Chewbacca, leaving Luke alone with a bunch of characters the audience doesn't know.

Step 8: The Ordeal

The Ordeal : Luke and his fellow fighter pilots attack the Death Star, facing skilled enemies in TIE fighters and Darth Vader himself in his own special ship. One of Luke's childhood friends is killed in the assault (Biggs).

Step 9: The Reward

The Reward (occurs twice in this story): Star Wars contains two Reward steps; one is the “false” reward, while the second is the “true” reward. First, the heroes are rewarded with safety and freedom after escaping the Death Star, and the story pauses to enjoy this moment of low tension.

However, the tension ratchets up again when Han Solo makes it clear that he only cares about his financial reward, which is indeed a “false” one, according to the movie's moral theme. The second reward occurs later, in Step #12.

Step 10: The Road Back

The Road Back (occurs twice in this story): The first Road Back is the backdrop for the first Reward, which showcases Han's conflicting loyalties. It is the “fake-out ending” meant to lead the viewer into thinking that the story is resolved because the heroes escaped from the Death Star.

Step 11: Resurrection

Resurrection : Rewinding back to the Ordeal (“Attack on the Death Star”), the scene climaxes as Luke is navigating a narrow trench in his X-Wing fighter toward the target with Darth Vader screaming at his heels. Luke — and the Rebels — are about to be destroyed by Vader and the Death Star, as the planned attack is not going as hoped.

Then a voice calls out to Luke: “Use the Force, Luke! Let go, Luke!” It's the voice of his disembodied Mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke switches off his targeting computer, closes his eyes, and fires his torpedoes . . . and the Death Star explodes.

This also coincides with a personal and relational resurrection of Han Solo. When he proves his true loyalty and helps Luke outwit Vader and destroy the Death Star, the viewer receives the satisfaction of having seen a man morally “die” only to find “life” again by doing what is morally right.

Step 12: Return with the Elixir

Return with the Elixir : When Luke, Han, and Chewie return, they don't just bring safety and security to the Rebellion. They bring hope, the titular value of the film.

This is also where the second “true” reward comes in. The medals the characters receive may not seem like much, but they symbolize the new identity of the wearers: Heroes. Luke begins as a simple farmboy; now he is a Hero who brings hope to the galaxy.

The Scenes of Star Wars

Within its tightly-designed structure, Star Wars makes sure it forces its Hero to deal with archetypal heroic situations, or scenes.

Here's how the Star Wars Hero's Journey shows these scenes:

The Choice to Go

After suffering the loss of his aunt and uncle, Luke realizes that he must confront the threat of the Empire himself. He declares to Obi-Wan, “I want to come with you to Alderaan. There's nothing here for me now. I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my father.”

The Initiation

Soon after his Choice to Go, Luke is initiated into the world he has chosen. First, he faces physical threats, like the bullies in the Mos Eisley cantina and the Empire's merciless stormtroopers while escaping on the Millenium Falcon.

But he also faces his first initiation into the way of the Jedi when he uses a lightsaber for the first time. Luke shows growth by doing as Obi-Wan says, “to stretch out with [his] feelings.”

Luke doesn't have much time to train as a Jedi, though, because soon he is pulled into the Death Star with the other heroes. After learning that the princess of Alderaan, Leia Organa, is about to be executed, Luke makes it his mission to rescue her. In a thrilling scene filled with disguises, witty banter, and laser shootouts, Luke successfully rescues Leia from her metallic prison.

All Hope is Lost

This scene occurs just before the Resurrection as Luke speeds down the Death Star trench in his X-Wing fighter. Jumping between scenes in Luke's ship, the Death Star control room, and the rebel base on Yavin 4, two things occur nearly simultaneously.

First, the Death Star pulls within firing range of the rebel base and begins powering up its planet-killing weapon. Second, Darth Vader successful shoots R2-D2 in Luke's ship, causing Luke to cry, “I've lost R2!” And in this moment, it seems like the bad guys are certainly going to win.

The Return with Blessings

But a miracle happens! Han Solo helps knock Vader off of Luke's tail, and Luke hits a bullseye with his torpedoes, exploding the Death Star in a massive blast.

The heroes return to Yavin 4, embrace one another, and celebrate. But then we see a colossal ceremony with hundreds of rebels in uniform. They stand at attention to honor the victorious heroes who are decorated with medals.

And those hundreds of rebels — stand-ins for the audience — applaud as incredible hope floods their spirits.

Learn more: Here's how to write and innovate these timeless Hero's Journey scenes!

The Themes of Star Wars

George Lucas was a fan of mythology, including East Asian religions that focus on the balance of different forces. As he layered his story with these themes, Lucas created a rich tapestry for future stories and storytellers, which is why Star Wars is a beloved franchise still today.

Here's how Star Wars imbues its story with deeply powerful themes.

1. Good vs. Evil

Perhaps the clearest and most obvious thematic relationship in Star Wars is the one that makes it most enduring: the struggle between the forces of Good and those of Evil.

Representing Good are the white-and-beige clad “good guys” Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. They seek selfless, positive virtues, like freedom, peace, and hope.

Bad is embodied by the black-armored Darth Vader, as well as the darkly-uniformed Grand Moff Tarkin. They command a massive machine of death, control, and fear, wishing to pull all planets and systems under the thumb of the Empire. Their selfish cruelty is confirmed when they destroy Alderaan (and its millions of inhabitants) for no good reason other than to torture Princess Leia.

Note: Although this isn't the main story arc in the film, it is a major internal arc that exemplifies the dominant story value moving the plot, which is Life vs. Death.

You might enjoying learning more about story arcs and story values with these two important posts on The Write Practice.

• Story Values

2. Haven vs. Wilderness

Star Wars is a place with several Havens that stand opposite its Wildernesses. Remember that Lucas based Star Wars on the Western genre, with its wide, endless vistas and renegade, rough-and-tumble characters.

Here are several diametrically opposed set locations in the story:

• The sand sea of Tatooine is a Wilderness , but Luke's homestead and Obi-Wan's house are Havens .
• The Mos Eisley cantina is a social Wilderness where Luke is confused and alone, but the Millenium Falcon is a Haven where he learns about the Force and the war against the Empire.
• The Death Star is a Metallic Wilderness of inorganic violence and unfeeling cruelty, but the Rebel Base is a Lush, Forested Haven where Luke is reunited with an old friend and fits easily into his new, heroic role.

It's notable that the film really only contains these major set pieces, with the exception of the film's prologue aboard Princess Leia's ship. Each location contains an opposite, so the story seems to swing, like a pendulum, back-and-forth between safety and danger, between Haven and Wilderness.

3. Nature vs. Machine

The opposing power of Nature and Machine is evident throughout Star Wars. As just mentioned, the Empire's base, the Death Star, is a cold, lifeless killing machine. However, the Rebel Base is set amid a lush green rainforest. Contrasts like this provide a simple form of establishing this theme.

But Star Wars digs deeper than this by using its mythology of the Force to layer the theme deeply into the narrative. And its primary narrative device is the Lightsaber .

Heralded by Obi-Wan as “an elegant weapon,” the Lightsaber is the tool of the nearly-extinct Jedi. It is “not as clumsy or random as a blaster,” Obi-Wan describes.

Yet Han Solo, a self-reliant rule-breaker, dismisses the Jedi way as “a lot of simple tricks and nonsense.” He affirms his self-reliant beliefs when he claims, “Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”

Clearly the more mystical, “natural” weapon is less desirable than the machine, the blaster.

Yet the Lightsaber is the weapon Luke trains with and comes to embrace as a part of the Jedi way. He also embraces the Jedi way when he obeys the disembodied voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi during the Death Star attack.

“Use the Force, Luke!” Obi-Wan urges. Luke obeys by taking a specific action: turning off his computer, a machine. Clearly the mindset of Luke's world is to trust in machines; the way of the Jedi is to trust in the Force.

It makes sense now that the Empire would put all of its hope in a giant machine, the Death Star. It is also led by a man who is “more machine now than man,” Darth Vader.

4. Father vs. Son

To be fair, this theme would not come home to roost for Star Wars until its sequel, The Empire Strikes Back , was released three years later in 1980. However, George Lucas has consistently claimed that he planned for Vader to be Luke's father all along. With that in mind, Star Wars has been the paragon of this theme in popular culture, at least since Shakespeare and the Greek tragedians.

And where Star Wars successfully makes great use of this theme is by invoking the idea of Destiny . In other words, if my father is a murderous, man-machine monster, will I be too?

This conflict is apparent in the cave scene on Dagobah, where Luke confronts the darkness within. He battles a phantom vision of Darth Vader and successfully decapitates it. But when the head rolls to a stop, Luke sees his own face within Vader's helmet. Clearly the son is terrified of committing the sins of the father.

5. Sibling vs. Sibling

The original Star Wars trilogy didn't concern itself with sibling rivalry, instead using another “they're related” type twist in the third installment, Return of the Jedi.

But the prequel trilogy, written and directed by Lucas several years later, used it to great effect by casting Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker as brothers. No, they aren't biological brothers, but this view is supported by Obi-Wan's pained cry, “You were my brother, Anakin!” after defeating him in combat in Revenge of the Sith.

During Anakin's training and the horrors of the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan and Anakin fought side-by-side and struggled with the befuddling decisions of the Jedi Council. They grew to trust and even love each other; but Anakin's need for power and validation drew him away from his Jedi “brother” and toward a more sinister Sith “father,” Senator (and later Emperor) Palpatine.

This is why the final battle of Revenge of the Sith, despite some of its silly choreography, is painfully emotional. There was so much potential for these two men to do great things together! But their relationship has been broken by mistrust, fear, and horrible crimes, and it can only end violently.

Learn more: Here's how to establish these classic Hero's Journey themes!

The Symbols of Star Wars

To wrap up our analysis of Star Wars and the Hero's Journey, let's briefly look at how the filmmakers fill the story with powerful symbols, connecting the physical world of the story with the nonphysical feelings audiences have about the world.

1. Light vs. Darkness

This thematic relationship is apparent in two respects. One, of course, is physical: the “good guys” vs. the “bad guys.” And while the stormtroopers wear stark, white, skeletal armor, the darkness of the Empire is embodied by the black-armored Darth Vader.

Standing opposite this darkness is Luke Skywalker, a lightly-clad and optimistic youth who learns about the “light side” of the Force from his beige-cloaked mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

It's noteable that some characters are more morally ambiguous, sporting clothing of mixed color. Han Solo wears an off-white shirt covered by a black vest. Is he ultimately drawn to the selfless, others-serving light? Or the nefarious, selfish dark? Only the story can tell!

2. The Magic Weapon

Even though it doesn't play a role in the climax of this film, the Lightsaber is one of the most universally-recognized pieces of fictional lore ever created. There's a reason people will pay $199 to make one at Disneyland, even though it isn't “real.”

The Lightsaber is, indeed, magical. We can't create anything like it with the technology we currently possess. The Lightsaber also jives with the morality of the Jedi: light and defense.

So while Luke doesn't wield it during the Death Star attack, he does employ its virtues by turning off the computer (blaster) and trusting in that which powers the saber (the Light).

3. The Underworld

The world of Star Wars is filled with numerous “underworld” locations where our heroes face numerous dangers. Here are the ones found in A New Hope :

• The Jawas' Sandcrawler: C-3PO and R2-D2 are trapped in the “belly of the beast,” an allusion to Jonah and the Whale.
• The Mos Eisley cantina: A bar crawling with thugs and criminals where Luke almost loses his head in a scuffle.
• The trash compactor: Beneath the detention block, the heroes are nearly drowned by a monster and crushed by the contracting walls.
• The Death Star trench: In order to defeat this monstrous machine, the heroes must navigate its lowest points, nearly colliding with the surface. It is also here where Luke and the Rebels come closest to certain death.

4. The Castle

What better “castle” for a science-fantasy story than a massive space station?

Of the many memorable lines from the film, who can forget Obi-Wan muttering, “That's no moon . . . it's a space station.”

And the Death Star has all the trappings of a Castle: guards, defenses, weapons, a dungeon (with a princess locked in it, no less), a king (Tarkin), and a moat (the trench). It is the place where the Shadow resides and possesses the most power; it is also a place where the Hero is relatively powerless and must use his wit and craftiness in order to find success.

This is yet another example of Lucas using age-old archetypes to fill his new, unfamiliar world (the galaxy of Star Wars) with familiar tropes that audiences can instantly recognize and understand.

5. The Unhealable Wound

Another archetype that wouldn't appear until the sequel, the Unhealable Wound makes its appearance when Luke faces Darth Vader in combat at the end of The Empire Strikes Back.

Cornered and overpowered, Luke makes a massive mistake and exposes his right hand, which Vader swiftly cuts away with his own red-hot Lightsaber. Luke clutches the cauterized stump and screams in pain.

That hand is gone.

While Luke is able to acquire a mechanized replacement at the film's end, it will serve as a constant reminder of his failure and the temptation to the Dark Side of the Force, a temptation his mostly-machine father gave into. This Unhealable Wound plays a major role in Luke's character development, even into Disney's “sequel trilogy.”

Learn more: Here's how to utilize deep and meaningful Hero's Journey symbols!

The Power of the Hero's Journey

If you take the time to watch “Behind the Scenes” documentaries about the making of Star Wars , you'll discover that the actors and crew didn't believe in the film while they were making it.

From their point of view, everything was just . . . weird . After all, there was a massive dude in a dog suit, a breathless British bodybuilder in a black suit, malfunctioning props and oddball costumes, and dialogue that made little to no sense.

Some even describe feeling sorry for writer-director George Lucas.

But they didn't recognize the meta-structure behind it all. They didn't share the same mythic vision as their chief storyteller.

George Lucas wasn't telling a story about droids, laser swords, or even an Empire and a Rebellion.

He was telling the timeless story of Good vs. Evil, Nature vs. Machines, and more, using this wildly imaginative science-fantasy backdrop to do it.

Now, to be completely fair, massive credit must be given to film editors Paul Hirsch and Richard Chew. They took Lucas's original, extremely rough and choppy cut of the movie and resurrected the ailing movie.

By shortening shots, cutting more often, and capturing moments of intense energy from the various takes, Hirsch and Chew were able to instill the film with the energy, flow, and mythic quality that Lucas intended.

Lucas has received his fair share of criticism for questionable filmmaking in the years following the original Star Wars trilogy.

However, it was and is his vision for Star Wars that continues to thrill audiences to this day, and his vision was one that utilized the full power of the Dark Side. . . . I mean, the full power of the Hero's Journey!

So as you study Star Wars and other films that use the Hero's Journey to great advantage, consider which of these elements you can use to supercharge your own epic tale to be told.

Your readers will thank you for it!

What's your favorite moment from Star Wars ? Does it connect with any of these Star Wars Hero's Journey elements? Let us know in the comments .

Your writing practice today is Star Wars Hero's Journey-themed, of course. It's your turn to write a Hero's Journey-based science fantasy saga. Or the first scene of one, at least!

Your protagonist is an underdog character on a remote planet. Unbeknownst to this character, they're about to be called to a great adventure among the stars.

Write the opening scene of their story. Who are they? What's their ordinary world like? And what happens to disrupt their regular life and call them to adventure?

Take fifteen minutes to write. When you're done, share your scene in the practice box below, and be sure to leave feedback for your fellow writers!

David Safford

You deserve a great book. That's why David Safford writes adventure stories that you won't be able to put down. Read his latest story at his website. David is a Language Arts teacher, novelist, blogger, hiker, Legend of Zelda fanatic, puzzle-doer, husband, and father of two awesome children.

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Star Wars Thoughts

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The Hero’s Journey events are some of the very best ones in all of Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes

A new varation of Din Djarin, aka “The Mandalorian,” recently came to Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes with a Hero’s Journey event , walking through the events of the first season of The Mandalorian .

This version is of the bounty hunter wearing beskar armor, and the event itself is absolutely fantastic. While the absurdly low drop rate on the special cantina drops for Kuiil and IG-11 puts a slight damper on it, that’s really the only possible complaint one could have about this event. It’s thrilling to play, really well-done, features requirements that actually make sense, isn’t over-the-top with gearing (i.e. the biggest challenge is the star level, not gear level), and permanently in the Journey Guide.

In short, I think it’s one of the very best events in this game’s history.

But as I thought about the other events that have been done, I realized a striking connection between them: I really think that the Hero’s Journey events are the very best in the entire game. We’ve gotten six of them now, and all of them would compare very favorably to other events in the game – and, in my opinion, at least the top three events in this game’s history have been Hero’s Journey events.

Here’s my ranking of the Hero’s Journey events.

6. Jedi Knight Revan – “Legend of the Old Republic”

First appearance: October 18, 2018

The Jedi Knight Revan event walks you through moments from the incredibly popular Knights of the Old Republic games, which was a huge moment in this game. It culminates with you fighting the mighty Terentatek, which is an impressive and well-designed foe in this game, but otherwise things are relatively standard in this event.

5. Darth Revan – “Scourge of the Old Republic”

First appearance: March 25, 2019

Keeping the focus on the Old Republic, the Darth Revan event stepped things up a bit by including more cutscenes and a few more creative battles and environments. But perhaps the best part of the event actually comes at the end; after you defeat the Jedi that stand against Darth Revan and your team from getting to the Star Forge, and just when you think the event is over, Darth Malak appears in a brief cutscene! This moment was completely unexpected and out of nowhere, and it was a tease that Malak was coming to the game soon. Just a few weeks later he arrived in a different event. This was the first (and really only) time that the game has put such a direct tease right into an event, and it worked very well here.

4. Rey (Jedi Training) – “Rey’s Hero’s Journey”

First appearance: December 15, 2017

In connection with the release of The Last Jedi came a new version of Rey to the game, giving you the chance to play through the events of The Force Awakens. Perhaps some will best remember this event for being what started a downward trend in this game of insane and unreasonable requirements, but we’re not factoring that into this ranking, as we’re thinking about just the events themselves and not the surrounding circumstances. While it’s always fun to play through the events of a Star Wars movie, this event was relatively standard – until the penultimate phase. You enter the battle with Rey and Finn, facing off against Kylo Ren in the forests of Starkiller Base, and you may quickly grow frustrated: Rey continues to be stunned, while Finn can’t land a single hit on Kylo once his protection is gone. But you’ll soon learn that the event is designed this way, and it’s waiting for Finn to be defeated. When that happens, Rey gains a new ability, which allows her to summon the lightsaber to herself through a great cutscene. It is this moment that really sets this event apart, and it’s then followed by a level of Rey and Kylo fighting to wrap things up and unlock the character.

3. The Mandalorian (Beskar Armor) – “The Mandalorian’s Hero’s Journey”

First appearance: December 16, 2020

This event allows you to play through a number of key moments from the first season of The Mandalorian , and I’ll be honest: it may be the most cinematic event this game has ever done. The amount of cutscenes, and the quality of them, seem to have taken things to another level. It’s mainly those cutscenes that make the event so great, but there’s a lot of creativity with it too – for instance, when Mando takes over the turret in the first event and winds up blasting the door once you’ve defeated all the enemies, or when Mando and Cara Dune have to face off against the old Imperial walker from Chapter 4.

2. Commander Luke Skywalker – “Luke Skywalker’s Hero’s Journey”

First appearance: August 10, 2017

You might actually be surprised by the order here, because this one was almost number one – I went back and forth a number of times even when writing this article. This was the first Hero’s Journey event, and at least until this summer was the clear gold standard for Galaxy of Heroes events (and depending on who you ask, it may still be). We had waited a long time for a ‘Jedi’ version of Luke Skywalker, and while this one wasn’t exactly it, this was the version from The Empire Strikes Back . To unlock him, you had to play through the events of A New Hope . This was thrilling to do, and it went to show how even relatively simple battles can take on much more meaning when put in a context like this one. But it was the penultimate tier that really blew our minds in the best of ways. As you play as Obi-Wan Kenobi (Old Ben) and face off against Darth Vader, you come to discover that the goal is simply to survive until a new special ability hits its cooldown. This ability allows you to sacrifice yourself to save Luke, and what follows is an epic cutscene showing Old Ben sacrificing himself aboard the Death Star. This level remains, without any doubt in my mind, the very high point of this game. It expanded our notions of just what Galaxy of Heroes could do, and was almost breathtakingly fun to play. Creative and awesome.

1. Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker – “Luke Skywalker’s Hero’s Journey”

First appearance: June 18, 2020

So it may surprise you, then, to discover that I actually give the more recent Luke Skywalker Hero’s Journey event the ever so slight edge here. To be honest, I could go either way between these two Luke events, but here’s why I’m putting this one number one: not only is this the version of Luke we’d all been waiting for (the Jedi version, with the green lightsaber), but it also is one of the most creatively diverse events. In my opinion, that’s the thing that sets it slightly apart from the first Luke event. In this one, you play through The Empire Strikes Back . You start with levels both as the Wampa against Luke and Luke against the Wampa, giving you a re-skinned version of the Jedi as you play through it. In tier three, you’ve got to try to defeat the enemy troopers before Darth Vader arrives to the battle at Echo Base. Then in tier four, a ship battle, you’ve got to buy enough time for all of your ships to escape to hyperspace. Then you play as Luke and Hermit Yoda in the cave on Dagobah, and Yoda soon flees to leave Luke alone to face the vision of Vader. You then play a level trying to escape from Cloud City, and then it’s down to the final two battles, which see Luke face off against Darth Vader. First, you play as Luke, and you’ve got to fight against Vader and objects he may throw at you. It’s introduced by an epic cutscene of that iconic moment from Empire where they first face off. Then in the second of these two levels, you play as Vader and need to hold on long enough to use a new special ability, “Disarm.” This launches you into a cutscene of Luke vs. Vader that ends with Luke getting his hand chopped off and Vader making the big reveal. So all things considered, though this one didn’t have a tier as amazing as the Commander Luke Skywalker event did, this one made use of many different creative and unique mechanics throughout the levels that maintained the level of excitement paired with awesome cutscenes.

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The Empire Strikes Back

Luke skywalker's heroic journey in 'star wars: the empire strikes back' anonymous 10th grade.

It was George Lucas who in 1977 (with the release of Star Wars: A New Hope ) reintroduced the world to Joseph Campbell’s works, particularly the ideas expressed in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces and a concept he discussed therein called “The Hero’s Journey,” in which a hero goes on an adventure and despite challenges, wins a victory. In A New Hope , that hero was Luke. In A New Hope’s sequel, The Empire Strikes Back , Luke is once again the hero of the film.

The first step in a refined version of Campbell’s Hero’s Journey is called “The Call to Adventure.” This is when a hero is called – as the step’s name suggests – to start an adventure. In The Empire Strikes Back , Luke is called to adventure by – interestingly enough – Obi Wan Kenobi’s force ghost, who instructs him to go to Dagobah to be trained by Jedi master Yoda. The next step of Campbell’s hero’s journey is called “Refusal of the Call to Action.” In The Empire Strikes Back , Luke doesn’t necessarily refuse his call to action; instead, he is unable to accept his call of action because of the crippling injuries he has sustained in the wintry cave, injuries which prevent him from moving – let alone traveling to a far away planet.

The next step in Luke’s hero’s journey...

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Simba, Neo, Shrek, Shaun, Nemo, Moses, Hercules, Westley, Peter Parker, and almost every cinematic (and literature-based) hero can trace all or most of his (or her!) path to Joseph Campbell’ s hero’s journey, described in The Hero With A Thousand Faces published in 1949. No character more so than Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill ) follows this monomyth, as George Lucas attributed Campbell’s book to having had a strong influence on him when crafting his iconic character, as seen in the original Star Wars trilogy.

Seventeen stages divided into three sections, there have been a number of variations written since – countless response papers, books, and documentaries that narrow the number of steps, that add some other steps or sub-steps, that change the order around, and so on. But there’s nothing like checking back with an original theorist and looking closely at our own “farm boy.”

Separation : Call to Adventure, Refusal of the Call, Supernatural Aid, Crossing the Threshold, Belly of the Whale.

This always starts with the boring little potential hero living in a boring little place, living out a boring little life. Luke dreams of being a pilot, but feels stuck on the Tatooine farm. Yet, when he brings R2-DR to Obi-Wan ( Alec Guinness ) with Princess Leia’s ( Carrie Fisher ) message, “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope!,” Obi-Wan calls Luke to adventure. Luke immediately refuses, “Look, I can’t get involved. I’ve got work to do. It’s not that I like the Empire; I hate it, but there’s nothing I can do about it right now… It’s all such a long way from here.” Despite the fact that he’s been longing for adventure, when it comes a-knockin’, he turns it down. Supernatural Aid can be literal or in the form of a mentor. In this case it is both. Obi-Wan explains the Force and shows Luke his father’s lightsaber. Later, in The Empire Strikes Back , Yoda ( Frank Oz ) is his second mentor showing him the supernatural ways of the Force. However, it is only when his aunt and uncle are killed that he crosses the threshold and joins the mission. A crossing of the old life to the new. Luke’s eyes are opened as he enters Mos Eisley’s Cantina, “You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy,” Obi-Wan warns. Although there is debate on what exactly Luke’s Belly of the Whale is (trash compactor, the entire Death Star itself, the Dagobah tree – see how it doesn’t exactly have to go in order?), Luke does find himself trapped more than once and has to fight his way out.

Initiation : The Road of Trials, The Meeting with the Goddess, The Woman as Temptress, Atonement with the Father, Apotheosis, The Ultimate Boon.

Luke has many trials while inside the Death Star — during the battle to destroy the original Death Star, his training on Dagobah, saving Han from Jabba ( Larry Ward ), saving Leia from Jabba; all of these are essential for his eventual evolution to true hero. The Goddess he has already met and thinks he has (ick!) feelings for — Leia. She is sometimes considered the Woman as Temptress, but I have always seen the Dark Side of the Force as the Temptress, the thing that could turn the hero away from his true purpose, as conceptualized by Luke’s failure inside the tree. Atonement with the Father – does this need any explanation? Instead of Vader ( James Earl Jones ) turning Luke over to the Dark Side for Emperor Palpatine ( Ian McDiarmid ), Luke successfully brings his father back over to the side of good. “Father, please! Help me!” At the end, Darth Vader, now reverted back to Anakin Skywalker ( Sebastian Shaw ) kills the Emperor to save Luke and dies in his son’s arms. The Apotheosis is a spiritual rise. It is now that Luke is a true Jedi. It also sometimes refers to the ghosts of Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Anakin that appear at the end of Return Of The Jedi . The Ultimate Boon is the real goal. Luke and Leia are the last of the Jedi. The Dark side has been defeated for now (hello, Episodes VII, VIII, IX!!). Now it is time to rebuild the Jedi.

Return : Refusal of Return, The Magic Flight, Rescue From Without, The Crossing of the Return Threshold, Master of Two Worlds, Freedom to Live.

The Return is often not as tragic as a denouement in literature (except when there is a twist), but usually more exciting than an epilogue, and is more of a “what does the hero do now?” mixed with a dash of who he/she is meant to be. Sometimes the hero saves the day, but does not want to return to reality (think Leonardo DiCaprio’s Cobb in Inception ). Luke does not return to a life on Tatooine to be hailed a hero (not yet anyway – who knows what the story will be for Episodes VII, VIII, IX?). But he does return to the life of a Jedi, the origin he was denied. The Magic Flight is a little more difficult to pinpoint in Return of the Jedi . Luke’s journey has been studied through the lens of A New Hope as well as the whole original trilogy and it works better for just A New Hope (escaping Death Star via Millennium Falcon). The Ewoks helping and anytime Luke heard Obi-Wan in his head at critical life-saving moments fall under Rescue From Without. Luke did cross the Return Threshold in order to become the Master of the Two Worlds. He is a Jedi, at one with the Force, and now a man. He was just a young boy (and a whiny one at that) at the start. The Freedom to Live is the part where the mentee becomes a mentor. The hero is now wise enough to be able to teach others. Luke is now ready to rebuild the Jedi.

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All 24 Force Powers Luke Skywalker Possesses (In Canon & Legends)

• Luke Skywalker is a powerful Jedi with a wide range of Force powers, inherited from his father, Anakin Skywalker.
• From telekinesis to Force sense, Luke's Force abilities showcase his deep connection to the Force in both canon and Legends.
• Luke's unique powers like Force projection and fold space set him apart as one of the most skilled Jedi in the Star Wars universe.

Star Wars has many powerful Jedi, but few can match Luke Skywalker - and here are all the Force powers Luke has demonstrated in Legends and canon. The son of the Chosen One, Luke Skywalker inherited all Anakin Skywalker's potential. He's arguably the original trilogy's main hero and certainly that of many spinoff material in both Legends and canon.

Of course, there's much more to the Force than just power; a Jedi uses the Force for seeking knowlege and wisdom, pursuing inner harmony and balance. But Luke's many Force powers flow from the fact he is one of the most Force-sensitive beings in Star Wars - whether in canon or Legends. Here are all the powers he has demonstrated.

Luke Skywalker

The son of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, Luke was brought up on the desert planet Tatooine. Initially mentored by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke fired the fateful shot that destroyed the Death Star, and he became a rebel hero. Despite the fears of Obi-Wan and Yoda, Luke's faith in his father was proved well-founded when Vader returned to the light. With the Emperor defeated, Luke dedicated himself to bringing back the Jedi; his first attempt ended in tragedy due to Palpatine's manipulations, but Luke's legacy lives on in Rey.

Created By George Lucas

Cast Grant Feely, Mark Hamill

First Appearance Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

Alliance Jedi

Movies Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker

Telekinesis

Using the force to manipulate matter.

One of the most famous and rudimentary applications of the Force is telekinesis. From their time as initiates and padawans to Knighthood and Mastership, Jedi employ telekinetic uses of the Force to summon out-of-reach items, push assailants away, and even levitate themselves during meditation . Some argue Luke used a form of telekinesis to guide a pair of proton torpedoes into the Death Star's main reactor in the first Star Wars movie (later retitled A New Hope ). But Luke certainly used it to summon his lightsaber in The Empire Strikes Back , escaping an attacking wampa.

During his Jedi training on Dagobah, Luke Skywalker employs telekinesis many times , lifting various items, including his own in an attempt to pull it out of a swamp. In Return of the Jedi , Luke levitates C-3PO to make him appear to be an angry deity. Telekinesis would remain one of Luke’s most frequently-used Force powers in various canon and Legends exclusive materials.

12 Biggest Ways Star Wars Legends Has Changed Lucasfilm's Disney-Era Canon

Force vision, a jedi’s foresight.

Another rudimentary Force ability is that of seeing the future (or possible futures) . Jedi have always been wary of overusing this power, with Yoda in particular fearing that seeing the future can too easily turn into trying to control it. The visions he encouraged Luke to experience on Dagobah almost turned into a trap for the young Jedi.

There's a reason Yoda encouraged future awareness, though; this power is fundamental to many other Jedi abilities, such as their blocking blaster bolts. According to Timothy Zahn's novel Thrawn: Alliances , Jedi experience a sort of double-vision that allows them to see an incoming blaster bolt and block it. This is why Jedi learn to block blaster bolts early in their training, cultivating Force sensitivity.

Force vision is not exclusive to the Jedi and Sith, as the Baran Do – a Force-sensitive group on the Kel Dor homeworld of Dorin – use Force vision to advise the Kel Dor people and the leaders of Dorin. The Prophets of the Dark Side served a comparable purpose to the Galactic Empire.

Force Sense

Enhanced perception.

There's more to blocking blaster bolts than precognition, though; it is also tied to basic perception of the Force. This is why Jedi younglings are taught blaster reflection with training remotes and their vision obscured, necessitating that they rely on the Force instead of their eyes. Naturally, this ability would be the very first Force power Luke Skywalker ever used, with a six-year-old Luke finding a lost screwdriver with an accidental use of the Force, as revealed in Barbara Hambly’s novel Children of the Jedi .

In the original trilogy, Luke was trained similarly to Jedi younglings, wearing a helmet with a vision-obstructing blast shield while defending himself against a training remote. Luke’s “ first step into a larger world ” would come when he nearly “ sees ” the remote and deflects its training blasts with Jedi-like precision. In the climax of A New Hope , Luke uses Force sense and arguably telekinesis during the Battle of Yavin to destroy the first Death Star.

Every Star Wars Trilogy Ranked Worst To Best

Force-augmented leaps.

Force-sensitives are renowned for their use of the Force (or its dark side) to augment their athletic abilities. Jedi (and Sith) training is physically and mentally rigorous, but the Force allows beings to bypass the limitations of their respective species. Case in point, the ability of Force jump allows beings to leap much higher and farther than normal , and this power would be used quite frequently by Luke Skywalker.

After prematurely postponing his Jedi training on Dagobah in The Empire Strikes Back , Luke travels to Cloud City to save his friends, only to end up confronting Darth Vader. Luke impresses the Sith Lord by jumping out of an active carbon freezing chamber, avoiding capture . In Return of the Jedi , Luke uses Force-assisted jumps as he slices through Jabba the Hutt’s enforcers, and again aboard the Second Death Star to dodge a lightsaber strike by Darth Vader and reach an overhead catwalk.

Jedi Mind Trick

Influencing the weak-minded.

While a morally questionable ability, Jedi are known for using the Force as a hypnotic power . While dark side users like the Sith influence and manipulate minds callously, the Jedi urge caution and restraint with such an ability. The first and most famous use of a Jedi Mind Trick is seen in A New Hope , in which Obi-Wan Kenobi convinces a group of Imperial stormtroopers to let him and Luke go during a confrontation in Mos Eisley.

Luke Skywalker used a Jedi Mind Trick on an Imperial Officer in the Imperial Krake Data Vault shortly after the events of The Empire Strikes Back , convincing her to deactivate the vault’s shields. Luke would famously use a Jedi Mind trick again on Bib Fortuna in Jedi , persuading him to allow Luke into Jabba the Hutt’s main audience chamber. Luke’s attempts to use a Mind Trick on Jabba the Hutt would fail, however, due to Jabba’s strong will and his species’ natural resistance to the ability.

Force Speed

Force-powered sprinting.

Among the many ways that Force-users can augment their physical abilities is through Force speed. Force speed is a rather simple and straightforward ability, allowing practitioners to move far faster than possible for their species . There are numerous potential applications of Force speed, with Force-users employing it in combat to overwhelm their opponents, escape dangerous situations, or simply traverse a great distance in relatively little time.

Luke Skywalker is not shown using Force speed in the films, but various Legends-era materials have him employing this ability. As revealed in Ryder Windham’s sourcebook Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force , Luke initially struggled to control the power. Luke would master the power of Force speed by the events of James Luceno’s The New Jedi Order: The Unifying Force , however, using the power to augment his lightsaber skills in a duel with the Yuuzhan Vong ruler Shimrra Jamaane.

Luke Skywalker's 9 Greatest Force Feats (In Canon & Legends)

Calling upon the force to heal.

In Star Wars Legends, Force Heal - which allows a being to call on the Force to heal wounds quickly or easily - is an advanced and difficult power that even Anakin Skywalker couldn't use, as shown in one comic set during the Clone Wars. Jedi direct the natural energies of the Force to heal others (or themselves) , while dark side users like the Sith siphon the life force of others. Luke became quite adept at using Force-healing in Legends.

The first time Luke Skywalker used Force healing was in Dave Wolverton’s novel The Courtship of Princess Leia . Luke instinctively used Force healing on himself to recover from what would have been fatal injuries he sustained while fighting the Nightsisters of Dathomir . Luke would use Force healing on himself again – and deliberately this time – in Troy Denning’s Fate of the Jedi: Abyss .

Purify Kyber Crystals

Purging the dark side from crystals.

In the modern Star Wars canon continuity, Sith and other dark side users corrupt Kyber crystals with the dark side, turning them red through a process known as “ bleeding .” In rare cases, a Jedi (or other Force-user) can “ purify ” a corrupted Kyber crystal by healing the damage done to it by the dark side, often resulting in a white Kyber crystal. Ahsoka Tano purified a pair of Imperial Inquisitor Kyber crystals, which would then power her two white-bladed lightsabers .

Luke Skywalker also attempted to use the power to purify corrupted Kyber crystals between the events of Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi , as shown in Marvel’s recent Star Wars comics. While Luke’s first attempt was unsuccessful, he would use the power yet again in Adam Christopher’s Shadow of the Sith . Having become a more skilled Jedi by this point, Luke helps a former member of a cult called the Acolytes of the Beyond, purifying her red Kyber crystal and turning it white.

Force Projection

Force-powered illusions.

According to the modern Star Wars canon reference book Star Wars: Battles that Changed the Galaxy , Force projection is an extremely difficult power to master. A practitioner must tap into both the Living Force and the Cosmic Force, creating a life-like copy of themselves . The extreme concentration and effort could result in the Force user dying, however. Fascinatingly, Force projection was originally created by the modern canon’s version of the Fallanassi.

Luke Skywalker, in one of his final acts, employs Force projection to distract Kylo Ren and his First Order forces on Crait , allowing the surviving Resistance members to escape. Luke successfully keeps them occupied, though, by this point, the Resistance was reduced to only a handful of troops. Moreover, Luke’s projection kills him, preventing him from providing further assistance to the Resistance.

Force Doppelgänger

A deceptive copy of oneself.

The Legends version of Force projection is subtly different. Known as Force doppelgänger, this ability functions similarly to its modern canon counterpart , but it is not potentially fatal. Moreover, Force doppelgänger is regarded as a dark side power, despite its passive and harmless nature. The power debuted in Dark Empire , by Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy, in which Luke briefly became the apprentice of the reborn Emperor Palpatine.

Luke planned to destroy Palpatine's nearly unbeatable Dark Empire forces from within, but he needed to work hard to keep his friends at arm's length. In one moment, Luke Skywalker uses Force doppelgänger to appear to be aboard the Millennium Falcon . Since Luke had not truly fallen to the dark side, his use of the power proves that it is not exclusive to the dark side.

Force Protection

Force-powered shielding.

Force protection, also known as Force barrier, is an advanced Force ability used predominantly by Jedi, though many Sith practice it as well. Practitioners use Force protection to create a protective barrier of Force energy . While present in both Star Wars continuities, only the Legends iteration of Luke Skywalker has been shown using Force protection.

It is not known when Luke Skywalker learned Force protection, but the power was once typically used by only the most powerful Jedi. When Luke Skywalker revived the Jedi and established the New Jedi Order, he made Force protection a rudimentary power taught to all initiates . As shown in Vonda N. McIntyre’s novel The Crystal Star , Luke Skywalker trained Jacen and Jaina Solo to use Force protection with the two Jedi initiates becoming skilled in the power as young children.

Battle Meditation

A jedi augments their allies.

A fascinating and powerful ability, Battle Meditation allows Jedi and Sith to affect their forces in combat. Calling on the Force (or its dark side) a practitioner of Battle Meditation augments the morale and skill of their forces in a battle , arguably imbuing non-Force-sensitives with the Force’s power to ensure victory. In the dark side’s case, Battle Meditation can also have adverse effects on their opponents. The power is rather rare in the modern Star Wars canon but it appears many times throughout the Legends continuity.

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According to the audio drama of Dark Empire II , Luke Skywalker had become aware of Battle Meditation and began practicing it sometime after the Battle of Endor but before Operation Shadow Hand. Despite his knowledge of the power, Luke Skywalker rarely used Battle Meditation, thinking of it as a dark side ability due to its use by Joruus C’baoth during the Thrawn Campaign. As shown in Aaron Allston’s novel The New Jedi Order: Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream , Luke Skywalker became more comfortable with the power during the Yuuzhan Vong War .

Resist Ysalamiri

Counteracting a deadly vulnerability.

The lizard-like ysalamiri of Myrkr have the uncanny ability to dampen one’s connection to the Force within a certain proximity. This fascinating ability protects ysalamiri from their predators, the canine vornskrs, who hunt using the Force. Due to this ability, criminals like Talon Karrde and Tyber Zann as well as the Imperial warlord and Grand Admiral Thrawn use ysalamiri to protect themselves from Force-based attacks.

Even for powerful Jedi like Luke Skywalker, ysalamiri present a major threat to Force-sensitives. In one of his most impressive displays of Force strength and growth, Luke Skywalker managed to resist the effects of ysalamiri. As revealed in James Luceno’s The New Jedi Order: Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial , Luke gained the ability to use the Force even in close proximity to ysalamiri , thanks to his continued training as a Jedi Grandmaster.

Ysalamiri have not been seen in canon, but artwork on Grand Admiral Thrawn's Star Destroyer the Chimaera suggests they are canon.

Electric Judgment

Uncorrupted force lightning.

One of the dark side’s deadliest and most notorious powers is Force lightning, yet the Legends continuity gave it an uncorrupted variant used by Jedi. Electric Judgment is the Jedi equivalent to Force lightning , producing natural lightning from a Jedi’s fingers. Sith like Darth Plagueis think of it as a poor replacement for the corrupted energy of Force lightning, while the power is highly controversial among Jedi, making its use exceptionally rare.

Luke Skywalker did indeed use Electric Judgment on a hanful of occasions. The first time Luke used Electric Judgment was in James Luceno’s novel The New Jedi Order: The Unifying Force . Before dueling the Yuuzhan Vong Supreme Overlord Shimrra Jamaane, Luke faced one of his elite slayers, killing the warrior instantly with a bolt of green Electric Judgment , saving the life of his nephew, Jacen Solo.

Force Concealment

Force enhanced stealth.

A common Force ability used by Jedi and Sith alike is Force concealment , also known as Force stealth. The power was used for decades by Palpatine to hide his dark side presence from Jedi, even when they were in the same room as him. Obi-Wan Kenobi used Force stealth while sneaking through the Death Star in A New Hope , allowing him to deactivate the station’s tractor beam unnoticed.

Luke Skywalker was also a skilled user of this ability. Luke’s first use of Force concealment was in Return of the Jedi , in which he hid from Darth Vader in the Emperor’s throne room , only revealing his presence when enraged. Luke would use the ability in other Legends-era works, such as Troy Denning's Star By Star and Dark Nest II: The Unseen Queen , and Legacy of the Force: Inferno .

Fallanassi Illusions

Illusions from non-jedi.

The Fallanassi are another Force cult, known for their skill at crafting illusions using the Force, or the “White Current.” Although Force-based illusions were employed by both Jedi and Sith, Luke Skywalker notably used a Fallanassi illusion technique in Michael P. Kube-McDowell’s novel, Tyrant’s Test . Astoundingly, Luke used this Fallanassi Force ability to conceal an entire planet in the Outer Rim, Brath Qells.

Modern Star Wars canon lore has revealed that not only do the Fallanassi exist in the newer continuity, but they also share their original iteration’s penchant for Force-based illusions. Luke Skywalker was known to have traveled the galaxy to learn about numerous non-Jedi Force-using traditions after Return of the Jedi , and the Fallanassi were once such group. Luke learned Fallanassi illusionary techniques , allowing him to project an image of himself from Ahch-To to Crait.

Reflection Manipulation

A jedi trick of the light.

In rare cases, a specific artifact or location can augment a Force-sensitive’s abilities , granting them powers they might not normally possess. This is first seen in Alan Dean Foster’s Splinter of the Mind’s Eye , in which Darth Vader, empowered by the Kaiburr crystal, unleashes Kinetite – a lightning-like attack – on Luke Skywalker. In the modern Star Wars canon, Luke himself would gain a fascinating new power between the events of Empire and Jedi .

Luke Skywalker and Doctor Aphra confront a dreaded Starweird (a lethal creature originally from the Legends continuity) in an ancient Jedi Temple. The Temple augmented Luke’s connection to the Force and granted him the ability of reflection manipulation , allowing him to cast images of himself throughout the Temple. Luke’s short-lived ability managed to keep the monstrosity at bay, saving his and Aphra’s lives.

Luke Skywalker's New Force Power Shows The Secret Potential of Jedi Technology

Enhance strength, force-imbued super strength.

Another application of the Force to enhance one’s physical abilities is enhanced strength. A rather simple yet highly effective Force ability, practitioners of enhanced strength use the Force to deliver strikes far stronger than normal for their species and lift objects that might normally be too heavy for them. Mace Windu famously used enhanced strength in 2003’ Star Wars: Clone Wars , punching through the armored bodies of Super Battle Droids.

Luke Skywalker also used the Force to augment his strength on multiple occasions. During the Yuuzhan Vong War, Luke used Force-enhanced strength to overwhelm members of the Yuuzhan Vong species, who are normally far stronger than humans. Luke has also easily destroyed extremely durable materials using Force-enhanced strength , from spinglass to even a lightsaber crystal, with the former being used to create replicas of starships.

Jedi Teleportation

The Force power of fold space is a variant of teleportation that allows practitioners to teleport objects rather than beings. A similar ability appears in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker , in which Rey and Kylo Ren exchange something as harmless as raindrops or as powerful as a lightsaber. This ability was a byproduct of their Force Dyad , while the power’s original Legends-era incarnation could be used by a single Force-wielder.

Despite being the New Jedi Order’s Grandmaster, Luke never stopped learning about the Force, including from Force-using traditions other than Jedi. Luke learned the ability from an Aing-Tii monk , as shown in Christie Golden’s novel, Fate of the Jedi: Omen . Luke would use the ability again in Troy Denning’s Crucible , one of the final Legends-era materials to be released before the Star Wars franchise’s partial reboot.

A Baran Do Protection Technique

The Force cult known as the Baran Do sages had a category of Force abilities called hassat-durr techniques, which spread electromagnetic radiation throughout their practitioners’ bodies. These powers had a variety of uses, but one ability within the hassat-durr family was particularly useful for concealment. Ayna-seff, which translates to “dead brain” in the Kel Dor language, makes its practitioner’s brain activity undetectable , making them invisible to scanners.

During his time as Jedi Grandmaster, Luke Skywalker learned the ayna-seff technique from Tila Mong, a Baran Do sage and Mistress of the Order. As shown in Aaron Allston’s Fate of the Jedi: Outcast , Luke found another use for the ability. While traveling through treacherous nebulae in the Kathol Rift, Luke used the power to protect the Jade Shadow , a starship that once belonged to the late Mara Jade.

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Elizabeth Swann one-upped Luke Skywalker

Pirates of the Caribbean subverted the hero’s journey in fascinating ways

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You know a story is about to pop off when the main character’s completely jolted out of their ordinary routine. Luke Skywalker intercepting Princess Leia’s distress signal. Harry Potter receiving his Hogwarts letter. Frodo inheriting the One Ring. These moments are thrilling because they’re so full of potential. We, the audience, wonder how we would react if something extraordinary fell into our laps (or was projected out of our droids, as the case may be) and then watch as an ordinary, relatable character transforms into a hero.

For the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, that moment comes when Elizabeth Swann steals a pirate medallion from an unconscious Will Turner, though the path is not as immediately apparent to her. It’s a relatable, seemingly ordinary move — I would have (OK, I have ) stolen an accessory from a crush. But it’s also the action that eventually propels her into a fantastical journey. Unlike Harry or Luke or Frodo, Elizabeth is fully responsible for choosing her own adventure.

In his 1949 book The Hero with a Thousand Faces , literature professor Joseph Campbell defines that moment when a hero is drawn into a world they don’t yet understand as the “call to adventure”. It’s the first step of the hero’s journey, or monomyth, which he describes as the basic foundation for narrative. Campbell summarizes that journey as, “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.” He was referring to the foundational stories of mythology, folklore, and religion, but the 1977 reprinting of The Hero with a Thousand Faces illustrated its modern impact. Alongside images of ancient art, the cover features Luke Skywalker.

George Lucas has cited The Hero with a Thousand Faces as a major influence on Star Wars , which pretty neatly follows the hero’s journey as Luke discovers his destiny. Interviewed for the official Joseph Campbell biography, Lucas explained that he was interested in creating a modern myth. “Mythology has always brought out the imagination, to imagine these wonderful events that don’t happen in our everyday life, in a land that is usually the frontier,” Lucas told biographers Stephen and Robin Larsen. “I said, ‘Where is the frontier today?’ Well, I can stand in my front yard and look up at the sky and say, ‘I wonder what’s out there.’”

Lucas undoubtedly succeeded in both creating that modern mythology, and proving that the hero’s journey is a compelling narrative template. Films like The Matrix , Spider-Man, The Lion King , and even Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure have all been cited as examples of the hero’s journey in a modern context. But as Campbell’s work has inspired artists for decades, it’s also been criticized for its macho, egocentric viewpoint. In her book The Virgin’s Promise , screenwriter Kim Hudson argues that stories can and should move beyond the masculine hero’s journey, writing “We need to be more than brave, self-sacrificing Heroes. We also need to be Virgins who bring our inner talents and self-fulfilling joys to life. And we need stories that show us how to do that.”

As a staple of genre fiction, it’s difficult to escape the hero’s journey framework, but artists have still subverted it over time: antihero stories like Breaking Bad do it with blunt force, while George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire executed the presumptive hero Ned Stark by the end of the first book. One of the most interesting and subtle subversions comes from The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, which rejects the individualistic, masculine nature of the hero’s journey to explore how adventures intertwine.

Captain Jack Sparrow might be the most famous character associated with the Pirates franchise, but he’s not really the hero of the story (at least not in the original trilogy). From a Campbellian perspective, that would be Elizabeth Swann. When the crew of the Black Pearl storms Port Royal in search of their former crewmate’s child who carries his cursed medallion, they’re kicking off a call to adventure. By taking Will’s medallion and telling Captain Barbossa that her last name is Turner, Elizabeth unknowingly intercepts a call to adventure meant for someone else, setting off on a swashbuckling hero’s journey.

Over the course of the Pirates trilogy, Elizabeth takes on the role of archetypal hero. To echo Campbell, she crosses the threshold into an unknown world, overcomes challenges and temptations, eventually mastering it and returning home. At the beginning of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl , Elizabeth feels suffocated by her life as a “proper lady” — literally, she can’t breathe in her tight corset. Will, her friend of eight years, won’t call her by her first name because of his lower social status. Her father wants her to marry Captain (soon to be Commodore) Norrington, a man she doesn’t love.

And then she’s kidnapped by a crew of undead pirates and her world turns upside down (again, somewhat literally — At World’s End has a trippy earth-flipping sequence.) Elizabeth has been fascinated with pirates since she was a young girl, and though she’s initially terrified by Barbossa and disgusted by Jack Sparrow, they bring out her cunning resourcefulness. She’s the mastermind behind many of the series’ shrewdest schemes and battle strategies, including shackling Jack Sparrow to the Black Pearl as the Kraken takes it down. In At World’s End , she’s elected Pirate King, a symbolic mastery of the world she stumbled into three films earlier.

Elizabeth’s character arc is a neat subversion of the damsel-in-distress archetype. In a typical Campbellian narrative she’d be rescued by the hero. Luke frees Leia from the Death Star. Superman is constantly saving Lois Lane from some supervillain or another. Pirates of the Caribbean sets Elizabeth up for that role, with Will and Norrington both setting out to rescue her after she’s kidnapped by Barbossa. But Elizabeth rejects that framework, and uses her own wits to get herself out of danger.

The Hero With A Thousand Faces acknowledges that a hero can be male or female, but some feminist scholars have pointed out that the hero’s journey is overtly masculine — regardless of the protagonist’s gender — with its emphasis on action and outward expression. (Psychologist Maureen Murdock’s book The Heroine’s Journey argues for an introspective, feminine hero’s journey from a psychological lens, while The Virgin’s Promise comes at it from a storytelling perspective.)

Elizabeth’s journey follows the more masculine model (as do most classic adventure stories that rely on action to propel the plot forward,) but the role Elizabeth carves out for herself is much more androgynous than either the swashbuckling hero or the “proper lady”. She often dresses in masculine attire when she’s at sea, even disguising herself as a boy in Dead Man’s Chest . And notably, she’s crowned Pirate King — no one insists on amending the title to Queen. She doesn’t outright reject her femininity, though. Instead, she uses it to her advantage, like when she flirts with Jack Sparrow in order to distract him so that she can save herself without him interfering, or when she pretends to faint to give Will time to rescue Jack from the gallows.

On its own, Elizabeth Swann’s arc is a fun, androgynous take on the hero’s journey, but it’s still a pretty standard adaptation of the format. But she’s not the only hero of the story.

Will Turner’s initial call to adventure was intercepted, but when Captain Barbossa kidnaps the woman he loves (ironically, thinking she was him), he extends a new call to Will. The young blacksmith sets out to rescue Elizabeth, with the help of a pirate he loathes, Jack Sparrow. In the structure of storytelling, Will kicks off a quest of his own. He winds up on his own classic hero’s journey, from being dragged, unconscious out of the sea at the beginning of The Curse of the Black Pearl to ruling its waters as the captain of the Flying Dutchman by the conclusion of At World’s End , again demonstrating mastery of a previously unknown world.

Over the course of the first three Pirates movies, Elizabeth and Will are on different journeys. They’re not always working as a unit and their goals are not always shared. But, importantly, their quests intertwine and overlap. Sometimes they work together, sometimes they work separately, and sometimes they’re driven by separate motivations, such as when Will tries to free his father in Dead Man’s Chest . Will and Elizabeth are each the heroes of their own stories even as they always return to each other .

The Campbellian framework has been criticized for being too individualistic, focusing too much on the idea of a (male) “chosen one” who’s destined to save the world. But by sending its male and female leads on distinct, yet shared, journeys, the Pirates movies reject the idea that a hero’s journey is necessarily the individual quest of one special man. Instead, they argue that a compelling narrative can sustain more than one hero, and that they interact with and influence each other even as they embark on their own personal quests.

Not only is that an interesting subversion of the hero’s journey, it’s also part of what makes the movies so much fun to watch — the formula is familiar, but there’s still room to be surprised. Now that Pirates of the Caribbean is a cultural phenomenon, it’s easy to forget how exciting and refreshing it is that Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner take turns rescuing each other. When Elizabeth passes out and falls into the sea, it seems like she’s going to be a typical damsel in need of rescue by the dashing hero. Ditto when she’s kidnapped by Barbossa. Pirates of the Caribbean turns that narrative on its head, and Elizabeth ends up outsmarting everyone around her. I didn’t see that coming when I watched the movie for the first time and it’s still thrilling to watch now, 18 years and five films later.

By far the most quoted line of the series is “Why is the rum gone?” It comes from Jack Sparrow, awakened after a night of reveling, to find that Elizabeth has used it to start a bonfire. She’s making a smoke signal so that Norrington’s ship will find them where they’re marooned on a deserted island.

It’s a funny line, to be sure, but the answer embodies the most important theme of the series: The rum is gone because Elizabeth Swann used it to rescue herself.

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Screen Rant

Star wars: why luke is the quintessential hero (& vader is a perfect villain).

It's harder to think of a more iconic protagonist-antagonist pairing than Star Wars' Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, who define these archetypes.

Say what you will about his romantic dialogue, but George Lucas is an exceptional creator of characters. When it comes to pairings of heroes and villains, there are few as iconic as Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader’s dynamic from the original Star Wars trilogy. In both their individual characterizations and their complicated relationship with each other , Luke is one of the greatest heroes in film history and Vader is one of the greatest villains in film history.

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Throughout the original trilogy, Luke and Vader go from being powerful warriors on either side of political, ethical, and spiritual spectrums to being a reunited father and son who team up to liberate the galaxy from its Imperial overlord.

Luke: Everyone Can See Themselves In Him

In the original Star Wars movie, Luke is introduced as a talented pilot stuck on his uncle’s moisture farm who dreams of exploring the galaxy and joining the Rebellion. By the end of the original trilogy, he’s become one of the Rebellion’s key figures and resurrected the Jedi Order along the way .

Dreaming of a more exciting life is a universally relatable frustration. When Luke watches the twin suns set over the horizon on Tatooine and John Williams’ beautiful score is blasting through the speakers, everyone can see themselves in the protagonist.

Vader: He’s Introduced As The Faceless Embodiment Of Evil

In the opening scene of the original Star Wars movie, Tantive IV is engulfed by a Star Destroyer. The Stormtroopers board and eviscerate the Rebel troops in moments. Then, in a cloud of smoke, Darth Vader emerges . There’s no trace of humanity; like Michael Myers, he’s the faceless embodiment of evil.

Vader was developed significantly throughout the trilogy, but in the original movie, he’s just a terrifying presence that represents pure evil in all its forms.

Luke: He Goes On A Classic Hero’s Journey

Ever since it was discovered that George Lucas emulated Joseph Campbell’s “hero’s journey” in constructing his Star Wars screenplay, Hollywood screenwriters have followed Campbell’s work religiously in the hopes that it’ll help them write “the next Star Wars .”

But Lucas wasn’t trying to write the next anything; he was just using the familiar framework of a fairy tale to introduce audiences to his weird space samurai western saga . From the binary sunset moment to the loss of his mentor to the destruction of the Death Star, Luke Skywalker’s hero’s journey remains the benchmark against which all others are judged.

Vader: The Perfect Combination Of David Prowse’s Physique And James Earl Jones’ Voice

While David Prowse had the hulking physique to make Vader an intimidating screen presence, his voice wasn’t right for the character. So, Lucas set out to find the perfect booming voice to dub over Prowse in the editing room and discovered James Earl Jones.

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Through the combination of Prowse towering over the actors around him and Jones’ wholly unique voice bellowing his lines, Vader’s iconic presence came to life.

Luke: Mark Hamill Took The Role Seriously

The key to Sarah Finn’s magnificent casting in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is finding actors like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, who will take a role like “ billionaire playboy in a metal suit ” or “ cryogenically frozen World War II super soldier ” seriously and find the humanity in the character. Since Star Wars was essentially the first Marvel-style intergalactic summer blockbuster , Mark Hamill was the first actor to take a role like “ ace pilot farmhand with dormant space wizard powers ” seriously.

Hamill could tell Lucas had created something special when he read the script and gave his all to do the role of Luke Skywalker justice. The actor’s genuine affection for that mythos and understanding of its importance reflected beautifully in Luke’s bright-eyed optimism about the Force.

Vader: He Makes A Huge Impression With Limited Screen Time

All the greatest villains only show up for a few minutes, because less is more and a well-written antagonist can make a huge impression with just a few minutes of screentime. Look at Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs or the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz .

In the original Star Wars trilogy, Vader appears on-screen for, collectively, just over half an hour. But he makes a massive impression on the audience with this brief time, like Force-choking an insolent admiral or effortlessly outmatching Luke in a lightsaber duel .

Luke: He’s A Fish Out Of Water (Several Times Over)

In movies like Star Wars that have a lot of worldbuilding baked into the plot, it can help if the protagonist is a fish out of water and the world needs to be explained to them before they eventually become a central figure in that world.

Luke is a fish out of water in the wretched hive of scum and villainy that is Mos Eisley Spaceport, a in the Rebel Alliance, and later in the Jedi Order. But by the end of the trilogy, he’s one of the heroes of the Rebellion and a fearless Jedi Knight.

Vader: The “I Am Your Father” Twist Completely Changed The Game

The irony of a movie having the most famous plot twist of all time is that the reputation takes all the impact out of said twist because everyone knows what it is long before the reveal. Vader telling Luke that he’s his father in The Empire Strikes Back completely changed the nature of their relationship.

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Lucas stepped up the conflict for Return of the Jedi . Luke thought Vader was a remorseless killing machine who murdered his father, but the revelation that he’s actually his father inspires him to consider that maybe he’s not 100% evil after all.

Luke: He Sees The Good In Vader

In Return of the Jedi , when Luke arrives in the Emperor’s throne room, he initially refuses to fight his father because he still believes there’s good in him after decades of genocide and war crimes. Eventually, the Emperor plays on his emotions enough to get him to pick up his lightsaber, but he still sees the good in Vader.

It’s a great message to end the saga on: don’t give up on the people you love. Unfortunately, Disney decided to continue the saga and in The Last Jedi , it’s revealed that Luke was going to kill his own nephew for being tempted by the dark side, which negated the whole thing.

Vader: He’s Redeemed At The End

Thanks to Star Wars , redemption arcs have become commonplace in genre fiction as Vader’s redemption arc works spectacularly. He was under the spell of the Emperor when he committed the Empire’s atrocities. It doesn’t excuse all the deaths he was responsible for, but seeing the Emperor torture his own son snapped him out of that spell and inspired him to make the ultimate sacrifice with one final act of good. If he wasn’t redeemed in the galaxy’s eyes, he was at least redeemed in his son’s.

Again, this is one that the sequel trilogy kind of ruined, because Kylo Ren worshipped the evil Darth Vader and promised to finish what he started when Vader was the one who put a stop to it in the first place. Oh, and somehow, Palpatine returned , so Vader didn’t kill him after all.

NEXT:  The Silence Of The Lambs: 5 Reasons Clarice Is The Perfect Protagonist (& 5 Why Hannibal Is The Perfect Villain)

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How old is Luke Skywalker in A New Hope?

• April 22, 2024 11:03 AM / Updated: April 22, 2024 11:13 AM

A New Hope, the first film in the venerable Star Wars trilogy , introduced Luke Skywalker as a young adventurer. In the narrative, Luke is now approximately nineteen years old. This information lays the groundwork for his transformation from a Tatooine farm boy to a hero during the Galactic Civil War. His age is significant because it represents the passage from youth to maturity. 

But why is his age such a big deal? It’s because many people begin to discover their position in the world at the age of 19. Luke sees this as venturing into a more expansive cosmos and taking on challenges that will try his bravery, tenacity, and spirit. At 19, he’s just old enough to be accessible to younger audiences, but he’s also about to make decisions that could change his life.

Luke’s age becomes more than simply a number as the narrative progresses. It represents the shared quest to discover one’s identity and mission. His early inexperience and naiveté are crucial to his development as a person. They enable viewers to develop alongside him as they confront and overcome challenges. Viewers examine themes of bravery, camaraderie, and the struggle between good and evil via Luke’s perspective. 

Luke Skywalker’s Age: A Journey Begins

In A New Hope, Luke Skywalker’s narrative starts when he is nineteen. For him, coming of age signifies the passing from childhood to maturity. His journey is not just about battles and space. It’s about growing up, facing fears, and finding his path. At 19, Luke is curious and eager to explore beyond Tatooine. His age reflects the universal quest for purpose and identity that resonates with many. He was best at dueling a lightsaber .

This period in Luke’s life is filled with discovery, challenges, and personal growth. Being 19, he embodies hope and potential for change. His story encourages us to embrace our journeys, no matter our age. Luke’s adventure starts with a step into the unknown. It serves as an example of how growth often requires us to move beyond our comfort zones. His advanced age reminds us to pursue our goals at any age.

The Significance of Being Nineteen in the Galaxy

In the galaxy, turning nineteen is a significant event that signifies the onset of maturity. Dreams begin to materialize at this age, propelled by naive hope. At nineteen, the young are invited to discover the wonders and adventures the universe offers. This era is about having the guts to venture into the unknown with optimism. It reflects the belief in limitless possibilities and the spirit of exploration.

Nineteen is not simply a number; it’s a point in life when the adventure starts. It represents development, education, and pursuing one’s destiny across the enormous galaxy. Every obstacle is an opportunity to grow here, and every setback is a teaching moment. Making audacious decisions and embracing change are hallmarks of being nineteen. It serves as a reminder that you can shine brightly on your path even amid a galaxy of stars.

From Tatooine to Hero: Luke’s Formative Years

Luke’s journey from Tatooine’s deserts to galaxy-wide hero is a tale of growth. Starting as a farm boy, he dreams of a life beyond the stars. He steps into a larger story at nineteen, learning courage, friendship, and the Force. His path shows us the power of hope and change. Luke’s story inspires, proving even humble beginnings can lead to greatness. With each challenge, he grows, shaping his destiny. His formative years remind us that heroes are made, not born.

A New Hope: The Age of Discovery for Luke

“A New Hope” marks Luke’s age of discovery, beginning his journey at nineteen. It’s when he first encounters the Force and his destiny. This age symbolizes awakening, curiosity, and the thirst for adventure. Luke’s path from Tatooine to hero showcases the essence of growth. His story inspires us to embrace our journeys, no matter the start. It teaches resilience, courage, and the importance of seeking beyond the horizon. At nineteen, Luke embodies the spirit of discovery, setting the stage for a saga that captivates hearts across the galaxy.

Luke Skywalker Lightsaber

Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber represents his path and is more than a tool. He owned a green lightsaber . It was inherited from his father and represents the fusion of fate and legacy. This lightsaber sees battles, victories, and personal growth. Its blue blade shines as a beacon of hope and justice in the galaxy. Through trials and triumphs, the lightsaber remains at Luke’s side, a constant ally. It reflects his courage, resilience, and evolution as a Jedi. This iconic weapon transcends its material form, embodying the spirit of the Star Wars saga.

Growing Up Skywalker: Age and Destiny

In “Growing Up Skywalker: Age and Destiny,” Luke’s tale starts at nineteen, a pivotal time. This age begins his epic journey, blending youth with fate. It’s a story of courage, hope, and the search for identity in a vast galaxy. Luke’s early experiences teach him about responsibility, friendship, and the power of choice. His path illustrates how destiny is about where we end up and how we get there.

As Luke grows, so does his understanding of the Force and his role in the universe. His decisions shape his future, showing actions craft us that destiny. Luke’s story is a beacon for anyone at a crossroads, demonstrating that age is a stage, not a limit. His journey from Tatooine to the stars embodies the essence of growth and the belief in a brighter future. Through Luke, we learn that every day is a step towards our destiny.

Nineteen and the Call to Adventure: Luke’s Story Begins

At nineteen, Luke Skywalker’s story unfolds, marking the start of his incredible journey. This age is where adventure calls, pulling him from the familiarity of Tatooine. Dreams and the desire for something greater are abundant at this time. Luke is bold, optimistic, and driven to leave his mark and jump into the unknown, embodying the essence of youth. His story speaks to everyone searching for their path since his first steps towards destiny mirror the familiar urge to discover our place in the galaxy.

Luke’s response to the call to adventure at nineteen sets the stage for his transformation. It highlights how crucial moments define our future. Through Luke, we see that adventure is not just about the journey but also about growing and learning. His early decisions set the stage for him to become a hero, demonstrating the importance of accepting our fate. Luke’s transformation from a poor farm child to a Jedi Knight shows us that greatness awaits those who dare to take risks, no matter how old a person is.

Is Luke’s age directly mentioned in the movie?

No, Luke’s age is not mentioned in the movie but is established in Star Wars lore.

Is Luke the youngest main character in “A New Hope”?

Yes, Luke is among the youngest of the main characters.

How does Luke’s age influence his actions in the movie?

His age drives his curiosity, bravery, and eagerness to fight against the Empire.

Does the movie address Luke’s coming of age?

The movie symbolically represents Luke’s coming of age through his journey.

At 19, is Luke experienced in combat?

No, Luke is inexperienced in combat at the beginning of “A New Hope.”

In “A New Hope,” Luke Skywalker is nineteen years old. This age is crucial because it is when his journey began. He sets out on a journey of growth and discovery at nineteen. It’s a period of transition, difficulties, and education. Luke’s narrative speaks to everyone at this age, representing the transition from childhood to adulthood. His transformation from Tatooine to a hero is similar to our own. It’s about figuring out where you fit in this world. Luke embraces his destiny at the age of 19, demonstrating the strength of youth and bravery. His age in “A New Hope” is a ray of potential and hope.

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Luka Dončić embarks on The Baller’s Journey

The Mavericks’ first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers is a key moment in Dončić’s developing Hero’s Journey.

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Following the career of Luka Dončić has to this point been something like following the early years of Luke Skywalker or King Arthur, even. Sometimes these fictional behemoths feel like closer comps than any of his basketball peers.

Along the same timeline that he’s been working to lift the post-Dirk Nowitzki Mavericks back into perennial contention, Doncic has been on a Hero’s Journey of his own. The upcoming first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers will be yet another key chapter in Luka’s Grand Tale, as, to this point, the Clippers have been the Luka-led Mavs’ primary obstacle to further playoff success. The Mavs’ 2020 season ended in a playoff loss to the Clippers, as did the next season.

The Mavericks seem to be an altogether more formidable opponent this third go-round, and Dončić’s continued development into one of (at least) the two best players in the game this year makes the moment all the more compelling in the narrative sense. To get over the mountain that is the Clippers would be like Bilbo & The Crew taking down Smaug (the dragon) in the Hobbit. A monumental, larger-than-life moment on The Hero’s Journey, but still preceding the ultimate journey home and happy ending.

Winning this series is a necessary step on Dončić’s Hero’s Journey, or in this case, The Baller’s Journey. This one stars Kawhi Leonard as Darth Vader (he may be more machine than man by the time his career is over, anyway), Jason Kidd as Prof. Dumbledore and Kyrie Irving as Samwise Gamgee.

Let’s get started with a primer on the Hero’s Journey as a literary device before pinpointing the key points in the star-crossed Baller’s Journey that is Luka’s career.

The Hero’s Journey — a primer

The Hero’s Journey is a commonly employed mythmaking device first used in literature, then later in movies and television. The trope has given us some of the greatest stories in human history, from King Arthur to Dune.

It’s traditionally explained as a 12-step storytelling framework that maps the hero’s journey from relative unknown to savior of the universe, whether the setting is medieval England or outer space, post-Civil War or post-Apocalypse. Mythologist Joseph Campbell called the Hero’s Journey a “monomyth” because of its prevalence across cultures divided by both geographic and language barriers.

But storytelling is fluid, and there are many variations of the traditional 12-step framework. For the purposes of Dončić’s Baller’s Journey, we combined steps six and seven as well as steps 11 and 12 to end up with 10 steps in the process by which The Chosen One will eventually bring Dallas back to Basketball Glory.

1. Call to Adventure

In literary terminology, this first step in the Hero’s Journey is the moment when the protagonist (Luka Dončić) receives a call to adventure, which could come in the form of a message, a dream, or an encounter with a mentor or guide.

Dončić officially received his Call to Adventure in 2018 when he was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks and immediately traded to the Mavericks. But even before the call, there is a literary tradition of having the hero being raised away from home. This is mirrored in Dončić’s years as a professional in Europe. He was born and raised in Slovenia, but grew up on the courts playing next to fully grown men in both Spain and internationally for his home country. It’s akin to Harry Potter going away to live at Hogwarts or young Arthur going to live with the knight Kay.

But after that sojourn, the true call came in the 2018 NBA Draft , when only Dallas’ front office seemed to see the potential greatness inside of Dončić, as they did once before with a Tall Baller from the G. There was so much more film out on Dončić than your average NBA prospect, with three years of professional experience already under his belt, and there was a new opinion every 10 minutes about Dončić’s perceived lack of athleticism. As we know now, that skepticism was dead wrong — based on ignorance and stereotyping of the Euro-baller. Getting drafted and immediately picked apart for it was Luka’s sword-in-the-stone moment — truly formational.

Even shedding the conversation by surrounding his athleticism, the other narrative that erupted from that draft was the, “who won the Luka/Trae trade” conversation, which persisted for years after the Hero received his call to dominate the highest level of the game. As the answer became clearer over the first few years of their respective careers, that’s been just one of the many hurdles that Dončić has already cleared on his Baller’s Journey.

2. Refusal of the Call

You have to remember along the way, these section headers are simply the names of steps in the commonly agreed upon literary framework. We’re not using them to criticize Dončić or his supporting cast, past or present.

For Dončić, his refusal of the call came in his and the team’s inability to get it done under Rick Carlisle and with the first of the Mavericks’ tries at a supporting cast for our hero. Let’s face it — at this point in the young Hero’s career, he wasn’t ready to hear it from the grizzled veteran of a taskmaster, Carlisle. Dončić was only going to develop so far under that style of leadership. It’s akin to the storytelling moment where the young brazen hero is too headstrong for his own good — like in Harry Potter when Harry follows his Voldemort visions despite being warned against it in Order of the Phoenix.

And let’s face it — it just didn’t work with Kristaps Porzingis as the wingman in Dallas, either. When asked if characterizing the dynamic between the to budding stars as a bit of a “pissing contest” was a fair assessment, Porzingis admitted, “ Early on, for sure ,” on a recent appearance on JJ Redick’s Old Man and the 3 podcast. He went on to admit that the low-simmering tension between the two was part of the overall reason it didn’t work for him with the Mavericks.

It was also during this time that some began to wonder if Dallas was squandering the young Hero’s otherworldly talent. If the organization might someday lose the Hero’s loyalty when the business of the game reared its head. Luckily, that has not come to pass, and instead, our Hero’s arrival was always destined to overlap with a changeover in the Mavs’ power structure, which brings us to the next plot point.

3. Meeting the Mentor

The refusal of the call necessitates new leadership. This is Luke meeting Obi-Wan. This is the Mavs hiring players’ coach Jason Kidd. Even though you’d never confuse Kidd with a great philosopher, he was previously a Jedi-level point guard (No. 2 all-time in assists) who has climbed the tallest mountain in basketball as a player. Kidd now coaches The Chosen One in the same city where he made it happen late in his career — the same city Kidd himself was drafted in 1994. The connections are everywhere and the narratives write themselves.

For the purposes of Luka’s Baller’s Journey, Kidd is a more than apt Obi-Wan-type mentor figure, especially in contrast to the outgoing Carlisle regime at the time of the change. Carlisle never forgot how to coach — his old-school message just was no longer being heard in that locker room. Every time Kidd stands there on the sidelines with his hands in his pockets instead of ripping into a referee, I try to remind myself that, hey, Luka likes the guy, and it’s hard to quantify the good vibes between general and floor general, especially during a run of brilliance like the Mavs have been on for more than a month entering the playoffs.

4. Crossing the Threshold

This step in the hero’s journey is one of great trial, and it’s here that the conversation surrounding Dončić and the Mavericks’ budding rivalry with the Clippers first comes into play. It’s here that the Hero leaves behind the known world and crosses the threshold into the unknown, often encountering tests, trials, and challenges along the way.

Let’s say the unknown is the Playoffs, and the Clippers have been the Mavericks’ greatest stumbling block on the way to deeper playoff runs in the Dončić Era. So this phase of the Baller’s Journey is marked by failures and false victories. It ultimately reared its head in playoff losses to the Clippers to end back-to-back seasons in 2020 and 2021. Enter Leonard as Darth Vader, drilling that fateful last-second corner 3-pointer. The chance for redemption on the way to a potentially deep run makes this year’s matchup that much more compelling in the narrative framework.

But one of the more interesting, as well as potentially career-defining, moments as the playoff rivalry developed was the “Double Bang” game-winner at home in 2021’s Game 4.

It was one of those moments where the still brash young Hero looks like he has potentially overcome his shortcomings to achieve greatness, but the victory rang false when the series went the Clippers’ way three games later. The chance to rectify past failings is what every hero lives for, isn’t it?

5. Tests, Allies, Enemies

As the Hero’s story progresses, this stage is a pretty self-explanatory one. In the face of the setbacks the Hero has faced, he trudges forward with a revolving cast of allies and foes along the way. Think Luke Skywalker training with Yoda.

The supporting cast during the run to the Western Conference Finals in 2022 is completely different from the one Dončić is armed with this time around. Spencer Dinwiddie has gone from plucky, overachieving, self-aware comedic relief buddy cop with Dallas to a punchline’s afterthought in purple and gold. Trusted friends like Dorian Finney-Smith have been taken from us, but over time the cast of characters surrounding Dončić have become something altogether more powerful.

The Mavs are legitimate matchup concerns in 2024, whereas they were something of an unexplainable phenomenon, benefitting from great shooting and timely defense on their run in 2022. Even as Dwight Powell and Tim Hardaway Jr. have endured, the Mavs as a team have taken a giant leap forward as the supporting cast has shifted in recent years.

And don’t forget the Phoenix Suns under the heading of “Enemies,” as Dončić made children of most of the Suns on the way to a Game 7 blowout in the 2022 Western Conference Semifinals. Dončić personally bested another individual rival in Devin Booker, after previously proving his superiority in the Draft Day debate from 2018 between himself and the Hawks’ Young.

Another set of allegations he has effectively beaten along the way is the “empty stats” criticism that has constantly been tossed his way over the first six years of his NBA career. Dončić led the NBA in assists this season and has in previous years been among the league leaders. That alone proves that he makes the players around him better, as do some of the role players’ shooting numbers (and contract money) before and after playing with Dončić.

6. Approach to the Inmost Cave/The Ordeal

It makes sense to combine these two steps in the traditional Hero’s Journey, as it provides the perfect parallel for last season in the Baller’s Journey context. The two steps are highly related and intertwined in literature, anyway. in the approach to the inmost cave, the Hero, now wisened by experience, approaches the heart of darkness, often facing their greatest fears and challenges. The Ordeal is the moment of the Hero’s greatest challenge, where they face a major obstacle or enemy and must overcome it to continue their journey.

The experience of the 2022-23 season — all the promise at the beginning of the year, the inability to replicate the magic of the previous season, and the brutal end to the year that saw the Mavericks eventually tank their way to the draft pick that became Dereck Lively II — it must have dragged Dončić to lows he’s never experienced professionally. It certainly did for the fan base. But it was something Dončić and the Mavs had to come out the other side of to take the next step in their respective maturation.

7. The Reward

The reward isn’t meant to embody the ULTIMATE reward as the epic conclusion of the Hero’s Journey — it’s a reward granted along the way often in the form of knowledge, insight, or a powerful object to help them on their journey.

In Luka’s Baller’s Journey, this one is easy — it’s the trade for Kyrie Irving near the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline . The reward has become a fantastic partnership between two supernova-level talents, one in their ascendancy, and the other still determining for how much longer he can burn bright.

It all culminated in the Mavs’ 147-136 overtime win over the Houston Rockets on April 7, when an exhausted Irving and battered Dončić embraced in only the way two victorious warriors can and helped each other off the court in a stretch where the team had won 14 of 16 games. It’s akin to the moment in Blackhawk Down when Eric Bana’s character Hoot explains:

“When I go home, people ask me, ‘Hey Hoot, why do you do it, man? Why? You some kind of war junkie?’ I won’t say a goddamn word. Why? They won’t understand. They won’t understand why we do it. They won’t understand it’s about the men next to you... and that’s it. That’s all it is.”

Irving averaged 25.6 points (14th in the NBA), 5.2 rebounds and five assists a game this year, and the experiment of joining two ball-dominant guards initially deemed a flop by the national pundits is now a miraculous success. The Mavs will go exactly as far as Dončić and Irving ultimately take them, and make no mistake, that might just be all the way, but Dallas has to topple the Clippers first.

8. The Road Back

The Road Back in the Hero’s Journey is perfectly encapsulated by this year’s regular season. In literary terms it’s another fairly straightforward progression as the Hero begins the journey back, often encountering new challenges and obstacles along the way. After last season ended in a 36-win disaster, not much was expected of the Mavericks going into 2023-24. Getting back to the playoffs was the low bar for success, and winning a playoff series was a stretch goal.

The Mavs started out hot with blazing-hot 3-point shooting to start the year. As injuries and regression to the offensive mean took hold, the team hovered around .500, but at the trade deadline, manna once again descended from the heavens onto the Hero’s path in the form of stalwart post presence Daniel Gafford and sometimes third-scoring option P.J. Washington .

Down the stretch run the Mavericks evolved into the NBA’s hottest team, eventually winning 16 of 18 to secure the 5-seed and the impending Battle Royale rematch with the Clippers. But another key progression for Dončić this season has been his added effort on the defensive end of the floor. He finished seventh in steals (1.4 per game) this season and did a much better job of getting back in transition defense and in one-on-one scenarios than in prior seasons. He heard the criticism and answered the call when the team’s goals required him to get even better than the superstar he already was.

9. Resurrection

And finally, we’ve arrived at the present day of Dončić’s Baller’s Journey. The chance for redemption the Basketball Gods are offering in Luka’s third shot at the Clippers in the playoffs is a soap opera on an interstellar scale. With a series win, Dončić will have officially breathed life back into the Mavericks as a franchise (for a second time in just six years in the league, mind you).

Advancing over the Clippers would be akin to Luke besting Vader but ultimately realizing there is still good in him and treating him fairly, like the worthy adversary he is, in death. This chapter and the next are still to be written, so it’s better to let it play out than rattle on with speculation about why this year is the Mavs’ year to step out of the Clipper’s long dark shadow.

10. The Return/Freedom To Live

This is another step that presently lives only in Mavs’ fan fantasies. Here, the Hero returns home, transformed and changed by their experiences, armed with new knowledge and insights that they can use to benefit their community. He has achieved a state of freedom and enlightenment, often living happily ever after or in a state of balance and harmony. This only happens, of course, when our Hero brings Dallas back to the pinnacle of basketball’s Mount Olympus with a second NBA title. Whether that happy ending is in the cards for this playoff run or at all is yet to be decided on by the Fates.

And let’s not forget, Luka’s ultimate fate as the Hero of this story as it pertains to his tenure is Dallas is still being written as well. It could all take a dark turn in the unlikely event that Dončić chooses free agency over a return to Dallas after either then 2025-26 or 2026-27 season.

It’s always important to remember that the stories we love — even the ones we follow in the world of sports — center around humans, and the best stories ever told center around people who are full of imperfections. Luka is no exception, and that’s what makes his path so fun to follow. Following him on his Baller’s Journey has so often shown us things wilder than anything fiction could ever produce, and he’s got another chance to “wow” the national basketball audience in Game 1 Sunday at the Clippers.

More From Mavs Moneyball

• 4 things the Mavericks need to change in Game 2 against the Clippers
• Mavericks vs Clippers Game 2 Preview: One thing to consider before Dallas plays Los Angeles
• Thanks, I hate it
• Stats rundown: 3 numbers from a Dallas Mavericks loss to the Los Angeles Clippers
• 4 thoughts after the Mavericks can’t hang with the Clippers, falling 109-97
• Mavericks vs Clippers Preview and Game Thread: So it begins

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• Category: Games

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Joins the Play List on April 25

• Charlie Fortescue, Director, Global Corporate Communications, EA

Get ready to stand against the darkness in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor !

The critically acclaimed action-adventure game from Respawn Entertainment – in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games – is coming to the Play List on April 25, 2024, for all EA Play members. PC Game Pass and Ultimate Game Pass members can start their adventures this week as a part of their membership to experience the next chapter in Cal Kestis’ saga.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has earned top accolades and awards – including IGN’s Best Action Game of 2023, PC Gamer’s Best Adventure Game of 2023, and a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media.

The game follows Cal Kestis as he explores an untamed galaxy while carrying its hopes for the future on his shoulders. Members can look forward to discovering new planets and revisiting familiar frontiers in the Star Wars galaxy, each with unique biomes, challenges, and enemies. All the while, they’ll be mastering new skills, equipment, and abilities as they traverse the grandiose landscapes.

EA Play also offers members regular in-game rewards. Here are the latest items, coins, and boosts, all claimable now:

• Apex Legends Apex Logo (Precious Peaks) Weapon Charm – Now to April 30
• Battlefield 204 2 Brigade Buster – Now to April 30
• EA Sports FC 24 Clubs FC Pro Black Glasses – Now to April 25
• EA Sports FC 24 VOLTA FC Pro Neck Tattoo and COINS – Now to April 25
• EA Sports FC 24 Ultimate Team Draft Token – Now to May 14
• Madden NFL 24 MUT April Pack – Now to April 30
• WRC Season 4 Rewards – Now to June 3
• NHL 24 Super Hero Set – Now to May 22
• NHL 24 WOC Coins – Now to May 22
• NHL 24 WOC Battle Pass XP Modifier – Now to May 22

Game Pass Ultimate members can claim more member benefits in the Xbox Perks section in the Game Pass App or on console. This month’s perks include:

• F1 23 24,000 PitCoin – Now to April 29
• NHL 24 Mega Players Pack – April 18 to May 9

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Game Pass PC members receive EA Play with their Game Pass subscription. Members enjoy great player benefits, including in-game challenges and rewards, special member-only content, trials of select new games such as EA Sports FC 24 and access to a collection of EA’s best-loved series and top titles, including the recently added EA Sports PGA Tour and EA Sports NHL 24 . In addition, all members get 10% off purchases of Electronic Arts digital content.

Visit the EA Play page for more details, and to stay up to date on the latest from EA Play, follow EA Play on, Instagram , or X . Please see EA.com/EA-Play/Terms for terms and conditions.

STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor™

Electronic Arts

STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor™ Deluxe Edition

Live stream - Trading: The Ultimate Hero's Journey – Pieces of E

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