Star Wars Introduced a Sith Lord That Surpasses Emperor Palpatine’s Power in A New Hope

Summary

• Exar Kun, a Sith Lord from the Star Wars Legends timeline, is a unique and powerful figure who introduced the double-bladed lightsaber.
• The Great Temple on Yavin IV, which served as the Rebel Alliance’s base in A New Hope, was originally a temple built by the Massassi, devoted followers of Sith Lord Naga Sadow.
• Exar Kun’s dark deeds and ultimate defeat on Yavin IV are hinted at in the current Star Wars canon, offering intriguing possibilities for exploring his connection to the temple.

In the expansive and intricate web of the Star Wars narrative, the potency and prowess of Emperor Palpatine is unparalleled. This iconic antagonist’s presence looms large across the galaxy. But what if there was another Sith Lord, equally formidable, lurking in the shadows? One that shares a surprising connection to a key scene in Star Wars: A New Hope?

Per Screen Rant, Star Wars Legends, a beloved but alternate timeline for fans since 2014, introduced us to Exar Kun. First making his appearance in Kevin J. Anderson’s Star Wars: The Jedi Academy Trilogy and later in the Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi comics, Kun stands out as a unique Sith figure. His mastery of the dark side is unparalleled, and he’s also credited for introducing the double-bladed lightsaber. This weapon, later famously wielded by Darth Maul, owes its origin to Kun. The saga of Exar Kun further intertwines with the narrative of A New Hope.

When we recall A New Hope, images of the Rebel Alliance’s covert base on Yavin IV might come to mind. The imposing stone structure that housed the rebel forces was originally a temple of the Massassi, an ancient subspecies connected to the Sith lineage. These Massassi, first introduced to fans through Marvel’s early Star Wars comics, were dedicated followers of the Sith Lord Naga Sadow. In honor of Sadow, they built the Great Temple on Yavin IV, the same one that would later serve as a strategic base for the rebels.

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Exar Kun’s Shadow on Yavin IV: A Dark Past Meets New Canon

Naga Sadow’s relationship with Yavin IV is intense. Leading a devoted army of Massassi, they constructed the very temple that stands as a testament to their devotion. Under Sadow’s influence, the Massassi underwent a transformation, turning more lethal as they became imbued with the dark side’s power. However, their saga took a tragic turn with the arrival of Exar Kun. Displaying a display of power and cruelty, Kun subjugated the Massassi, forcing them to build even grander temples. By drawing upon their life force to augment his own strength, he ensured only a few Massassi survived his rule.

Exar Kun’s tale has more layers yet to be uncovered. His dark deeds caught up with him on Yavin IV, where a fatal encounter with a team of Jedi caused a cataclysmic event. Kun, in his last desperate act, tried to detach his dark spirit from his body. But the Jedi’s intervention meant that while his body was obliterated, his dark spirit was trapped on Yavin IV. This malevolent presence, even in a non-corporeal form, would later pose a significant threat to Luke Skywalker’s budding New Jedi Order. Luke and his disciples, with some unexpected assistance, eventually managed to vanquish the spirit of this fearsome Sith Lord, putting an end to his dark machinations.

Interestingly, the current Star Wars canon, post-2014, hints at the existence of Exar Kun. An attentive audience might catch a reference to him in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Sith Lord Naga Sadow, his Massassi followers, and their architectural marvel on Yavin IV have been acknowledged in the new narrative, although details might differ. However, the connection between Exar Kun and Yavin IV’s future rebel base remains to be explicitly mentioned. Considering the rich lore at their disposal, it’s intriguing to think of the possibilities that the Star Wars canon could explore in tying this formidable Sith Lord to the iconic temple on Yavin IV.

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