The Skywalker Epic
In March of 2019, I began work on what was intended to be a 10 part / 10 hour story detailing what happened to Luke Skywalker after Ben Solo betrayed him. The initial idea was that Luke would go on a crusade to learn about his mother but that crusade morphed into a much bigger adventure - one that ends with Luke going into exile.
Over the next two years or so, I wrote the first 5 chapters of the story. Unfortunately, I was forced to abandon the project in 2021 due to some personal issues.
I attempted to restart the project in late 2023, completing a sixth chapter and getting most of the way through a seventh chapter. However, ideas were not flowing the way they had been in the past, and I kept putting the project on hold to work on other things. In 2025, I decided to abandon the project indefinitely.
It's unlikely that I will ever complete the project much less publish it. While acknowledging my bias, I believe it was some of the best storytelling I have ever done. That being said, I will share a few small teasers below to give you a tiny snippet of what the story was about.
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Excerpt #1 …from “What Once Was Lost” (Part One of the story)
This scene takes place at the beginning of the story. If you've seen The Last Jedi (...and who hasn't!?) then 90% of this sequence should already be familiar to you:
Sparks and embers rise up from the bottom of the screen as the camera lowers unto an image of the JEDI TRAINING ACADEMY. The building is on fire, having just been destroyed by a rebellious student: BEN SOLO.
R2-D2 (ARTOO) sits a short distance away, helpless to do anything but watch the temple burn. LUKE SKYWALKER approaches ARTOO from behind. LUKE kneels down next to ARTOO in utter disbelief and places his robotic right hand on ARTOO'S domed head.
The expression on LUKE'S face is a combination of shock and sorrow. He lowers his head as emotions of shame and failure begin to poison his mind. LUKE remains kneeling in silence for a few moments and steadies his breathing. He again looks up at the burning temple; a steely determination in his eyes. LUKE grits his teeth and stands.
LUKE
C'mon Artoo.
ARTOO beeps, asking a question.
LUKE (cont'd)
We're going after him.
Excerpt #2 …also from “What Once Was Lost”
Later in Part One, Luke is working at a junk yard in a forgotten corner of the galaxy. The junk yard is owned by a woman named Grace; who is a bit eccentric and takes regular medication for a degenerative medical condition. Lor San Tekka (…the old guy who gives Poe the map in the beginning of The Force Awakens), has tracked Luke down and confronts Luke with some new information about Ben Solo.
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This conversation leads to a larger adventure that plays out over the remainder of the episodes.
INT. GRACE’S HOME - KITCHEN
LUKE and LOR sit at the kitchen table as GRACE prepares some tea. A simple light above the table illuminates the room; however, the light flickers and occasionally buzzes.
LUKE
(to Lor)
So, how did you find me?
LOR
(wry smile)
Wasn’t too hard for an old tracker like me.
GRACE butts in with two steaming cups of tea. She places each cup on the table and passes them in opposite directions.
LOR
(to Grace)
Thank you.
LOR takes a sip of the tea. It is very potent and LOR’S facial expression is as if he just had a shot of strong whisky.
LOR
Woah.
GRACE raises her eyebrows and smiles at LOR as she takes a seat.
GRACE
Good, isn’t it?
LOR isn’t sure how to answer. LOR again looks at LUKE and gets down to business.
LOR
I searched the remains of the training temple.
They took the holocrons and some of the relics
we found. As best I could tell, all of the books
and scrolls were left to burn. None of them were
salvageable. Except for one.
LOR reaches into his bag and pulls out a BOOK. It is an old, large format book with roughly 300 pages. Lor holds the BOOK out and LUKE reaches across the table to take it.
LUKE
Where was it?
LOR
In Ben Solo’s dormitory. I think he was planning
to steal it. Bring it to Snoke.
LUKE reads the book’s title:
LUKE
The Catalog of Constellations.
LOR
From the Jedi cartographer Oraclyn. Written
in the map language of the Andusoon people.
GRACE takes a sip of her tea and asks:
GRACE
What the hell does that mean?
++ She’s so ladylike. ++
LOR
In Andusoon society, it was impossible for
them to make maps in the four traditional
directions. They needed to show depth as well.
As he speaks, LOR pantomimes height, width and depth with his hands.
LOR
(cont’d)
Their language developed around the concept
of mapping in three dimensions. Oraclyn applied
the same principles to mapping out all of the
stars, planets and moons in the galaxy.
GRACE has had enough of the flickering light over the table; she grabs a wooden spoon and smacks the light.
GRACE
Stupid thing. Work!
The light stops flickering on command. GRACE settles back into her seat and continues the conversation with LUKE and LOR.
GRACE
(cont’d)
So what happened to those Andusoon people?
LOR takes another sip of his tea and forces it down as if it were medicine.
LOR
They’re extinct. Master Oraclyn was the last
person who fully understood the language. She
died about five thousand years ago.
LUKE indicates to the book.
LUKE
What did Ben want with this book? It would be
useless to him without a translator.
LOR raises the teacup to his lips but decides not to take another sip.
LOR
(sighing)
I’ve been hearing stories. Snoke’s agents are
on the move. Hunting down old Jedi temples,
stealing relics. Lothal, Illum. Even Endor for
some reason.
GRACE
What are they looking for?
LOR shakes his head and sits back in the chair.
LOR
They’re being very haphazard. I don’t think they
are looking for anything specific. I think they
are trying to destroy the heritage of the Jedi.
Erase the Jedi from history.
GRACE puts the pieces together.
GRACE
This book maps out where all of the ancient Jedi
temples are located, doesn’t it?
LOR
Yes.
LOR leans forward in his chair and looks at LUKE.
LOR
(cont’d)
After the fall of the Empire, you and I went
from one end of the galaxy to the other looking
for Jedi relics. The largest trove we found
was in the Emperor’s (or Palpatine’s) castle on
Naboo. I believe the Knights of Ren will attempt
to steal that treasure sooner or later.
LUKE looks out the kitchen window and to the stars in the nighttime sky.
LOR
(cont’d)
I’ve dedicated my life to searching, hunting,
digging... Preserving the Jedi way so it can
be passed on to the next generation. I can’t
let the past fall into oblivion. And I can’t
do it alone, Luke.
After a few moments of silent contemplation, LUKE looks at GRACE.
Excerpt #3 …from “Unfamiliar Home” (Part Two of the story)
Luke and company travel to Naboo. They find the time to do a little sightseeing, and meet a new ally.
EXT. NABOO - THEED CATHEDRAL COURTYARD - MIDDAY
Bells ring out as a recently married couple gallop down the steps of a church, showered with flower pedals and cheers from family and friends. BRIDE and GROOM descend the final steps of the cathedral, leading the wedding party to the statue in the middle of the square. The statue is a large bronze depiction of PADMÉ AMIDALA, the former Queen of Naboo. The BRIDE and GROOM each pick the two most beautiful flowers from the BRIDE’S bouquet and lay them at the feet of the statue.
The BRIDE’S FATHER steps forward holding a large bowl full of water. BRIDE and GROOM join hands and the water is poured over their hands. The BRIDE and GROOM place their wet hands on each other’s faces and kiss as their family and friends cheer.
LUKE and GRACE take in the scene as the wedding party moves onward down the street to celebrate.
LUKE looks up and admires the statue of his mother with a certain amount of wonder. GRACE watches the wedding party and asks:
GRACE
What was that all about?
TABAÉ
(off screen.)
A new tradition.
TABAÉ, a Naboo woman in her late 60’s, approaches them. TABAÉ is dressed in heavy robes, much like those of a nun. Her head is uncovered and her silver hair is cut short. TABAÉ indicates to the flowers on the ground.
TABAÉ
(cont’d)
Two flowers as a gift. And a blessing for
each drop of water.
TABAÉ stands next to LUKE and joins him in admiring the statue. After a few moments, TABAÉ sighs.
TABAÉ
I don’t think the sculptor did justice to
her eyes.
LUKE looks at TABAÉ.
LUKE
Did you know her?
TABAÉ nods.
TABAÉ
Aye. I served as her bodyguard (or handmaiden)
for many years. I still serve her... sharing
stories, preserving her memory. The statue is
just a thing. She was so much more.
TABAÉ looks at LUKE again and studies him. After a few moments, TABAÉ realizes who LUKE is. TABAÉ puts her hands to her mouth in amazement.
TABAÉ
You’re HIM. You’re her SON!
TABAÉ shakes with excitement. Tears come to her eyes as she places her hands on either side of Luke’s face.
TABAÉ
(cont’d)
You are! I see it in your eyes.
TABAÉ is overjoyed; as if she has just discovered a long lost child.
​
Excerpt #4 …from “Great Warrior” (Part Three of the story)
At this point in the story, Luke and company have traveled to the home of a snobby art collector who may or may not have a Jedi artifact that they need.
INT. ABBAONDDO STATION - GUEST PARLOR
LUKE and GRACE are waiting in the parlor room in silence. LUKE is seated while GRACE paces back in forth, stretching her legs while she fidgets with a vile of ZO (++ the medication Grace takes for her medical condition++)
GRACE
How much longer will she make us wait?
LUKE
We’re not waiting for her. We are waiting
for the right time. And time cannot be rushed.
GRACE plops down on a bench. It dawns on GRACE that instead of being impatient, she should take advantage of the time she has alone with LUKE.
GRACE
Why did you become a Jedi?
LUKE is intrigued by the question.
LUKE
It was... a calling. I was chosen to be a Jedi.
GRACE
Is it true [that] your father was Darth Vader?
The question takes LUKE off guard.
LUKE
My father was Anakin Skywalker.
LUKE pauses.
LUKE
(cont’d)
And, yes... he was Darth Vader.
There is silence for a few moments.
GRACE
Do you think you could teach me?
LUKE looks at GRACE.
GRACE
(cont’d)
The Jedi ways. Why not?
A thousands thoughts run through LUKE’S head and he’s unsure of what to say.
GRACE
(cont’d)
I mean, you won’t need to show me how use a
lightsaber or make things float. I know there’s
more to it than that.
GRACE holds up the vile of ZO.
GRACE
(cont’d)
And it’s not like I’m going to live forever.
LUKE shakes his head.
LUKE
I... I don’t think I’m cut out to be a teacher.
The door to the parlor opens. LUKE and GRACE turn to see a protocol droid - C-EO6 - enter the room followed by two UGNAUGHT GUARDS. C-EO6 announces:
C-EO6
I am C-EO6. Dame Naobi Mentash, the Artist
Resplendent, requires your audience
(or "attendance"). Follow me.
Excerpt #5 …from “The Calrissian Interlude” (Part Five of the story)
In what I can only describe as a "fun" plot twist, Lando Calrissian has joined the adventure as Luke and company arrive at the city of Soso-ijj on the planet Pasaana (…the dessert planet from The Rise of Skywalker).
EXT. SOSO-IJJ - LANDING BAY
The AKI-AKI are curious by nature. A number of them file into the landing bay as the entry ramp to the ship is lowered. LUKE and GRACE emerge from the ship and are surprised by the group of native AKI-AKI greeting them.
LUKE
Hello?
The AKI-AKI begin clamoring in their native language.
GRACE
Ah... I think we’re gonna have a little
translation issue here.
LUKE
You have any ideas?
GRACE
I could try to get that old protocol droid
working again.
LANDO emerges from the ship with a broad smile on his face and outstretched arms.
LANDO
(in the Aki-Aki language)
Bong ninny weep grannah weep bah!
The AKI-AKI react to the greeting with joy and reply cheerfully. LANDO laughs.
LANDO
(in the Aki-Aki language)
Grazo! Imtay polo-bolo gree!
LUKE
You speak their language?
LANDO
Of course! My mother was a missionary.
We lived here for a few years when I was
a child.
Numerous arms reach out to LANDO, welcoming him home as a member of the family.
Excerpt #6 …from “The Life And Times Of Luke Skywalker” (Part Nine of the story)
At this point in the story, Luke has suffered a major defeat. He is recovering at a picturesque inn on a Bavaria inspired world.
EXT. COURTYARD - DAY
LUKE is sitting alone in the spacious courtyard; which is full of beautifully maintained trees, shrubs and flowers. Birds chirp in the morning light. ARTOO is next to LUKE as LUKE sits at a small table and writes with traditional paper and pen.
A FEMALE WAITER approaches with a bottle of wine but LUKE pays no attention to her. The FEMALE WAITER presents the bottle to LUKE.
FEMALE WAITER
Compliments of the house.
The FEMALE WAITER fills LUKE’S goblet, which is sitting on the table. LUKE takes notice of the FEMALE WAITER and becomes perturbed as he was expecting WOT (++ earlier in the story, it is revealed that a man named Wot is to be Luke’s personal concierge ++).
LUKE
Wot was to attend to me himself. Where
is he?
The FEMALE WAITER stands over LUKE and looks at LUKE’S handwriting.
FEMALE WAITER
Your handwriting is terrible.
LUKE looks up at the FEMALE WAITER and squints. LUKE cannot see the features of her face as the sun is directly behind her.
FEMALE WAITER
Who taught you how to write?
The FEMALE WAITER sits in the chair next to LUKE. Before LUKE can protest, the FEMALE WAITER’S features become plain and LUKE looks into the eyes of his MOTHER: PADMÉ AMIDALA.
LUKE is instantly stunned and his pen falls to the ground. PADMÉ smiles and helps herself to the goblet of wine. After taking a drink, PADMÉ winces and smells the contents of the goblet.
PADMÉ
Oh… you don’t want to drink that. It’s
poisoned.
After a beat:
LUKE
(dumbfounded)
Mom?
PADMÉ takes another drink from the goblet.
PADMÉ
Yeah, that’s definitely poisoned. Someone
on the staff must be working for Snoke.
ARTOO begins chirping like a dog reunited with a long lost owner. PADMÉ smiles and strokes ARTOO’S head.
LUKE
(still dumbfounded)
You can’t be real.
PADMÉ gives him a playful smile.
PADMÉ
Artoo, play message “fambaa waltz” for me.
ARTOO chirps in compliance and plays a holographic message.
PADMÉ
If I was not real, Artoo wouldn’t hear me.
If I were an imposter, I wouldn’t have known
to play a secret message.
LUKE sits up in his chair and looks at PADMÉ.
LUKE
(confused)
Then… who are you?
PADMÉ reaches over and touches LUKE’S face.
PADMÉ
Who are you, Luke Skywalker?
PADMÉ touches LUKE’S forehead with her index finger. LUKE instantly blacks out. ARTOO squeals.
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For the record, despite the fact that Padmé touches Luke’s forehead to cause him to pass out, Padmé is NOT Mother Talzin, any Nightsister, Sith Witch or any similar entity/manifestation of the dark side. You find out who (or what) she is later in the story.
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That is all I'm willing to share for now.
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