7 Interesting Facts About Luminara Unduli

Luminara, doing battle in the Geonosis arena.

The Mirialan Jedi Master may not be well-known to fans who have only seen the Star Wars movies, but fans of animated shows like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels know Master Luminara Unduli is quite the fascinating character.

1. Luminara is the only known Jedi to be captured, rather than killed, during Order 66.

Jedi Master Luminara was serving under Grand Master Yoda, fighting alongside the clone army and the Wookiees defending Kashyyyk. She was originally presumed dead at the hands of clones, but in actuality, the Empire captured her and took her to an Imperial prison to be executed.

2. Her Padawan apprentice, Barriss Offee, betrayed the Jedi Order.

Before the events of Revenge of the Sith, Ahsoka Tano was framed for bombing the Jedi Temple by her friend, Barriss Offee. Barriss had grown tired of the Jedi’s involvement in the war and thought it was corrupting the Order.

Moments before Ahsoka was due to be sentenced, likely to life in prison or death, Anakin exposed Barriss as the true culprit. Master Luminara was shocked by the betrayal of her apprentice and chose to spend months on Kashyyyk to distract herself.

She supported repairs and improvements to their defenses, which is why she can be seen alongside Yoda on Kashyyyk.

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3. The Empire used Luminara to kill Jedi after Order 66.

The Grand Inquisitor, who presided over Master Luminara’s execution in prison, decided to keep her remains to set a trap for future Jedi. He kept Luminara’s remains in the prison where she had been executed, hoping that her presence would attract other Jedi who might sense her and think she needed to be freed.

During the events of Star Wars: Rebels, the crew of the Ghost fall for the trap, and Kanan and Ezra have to fend off the Grand Inquisitor to make their escape. The crew then spread the word to their allies that Luminara was dead, so no one else would fall for the trap.

Luminara's remains, kept in the Imperial Prison where she was sentenced.

4. She makes a brief voice cameo in The Rise of Skywalker.

One of the many voices that Rey hears during her final confrontation with Emperor Palpatine is that of Master Unduli. Luminara’s voice can be heard among other former Jedi Masters advising her to “find the light”.

5. Luminara has technically been to Starkiller Base.

The planet that would eventually be turned into Starkiller Base was first a major Jedi Temple and the largest source of the kyber crystals Jedi used to power their lightsabers.

Early in the Clone Wars Luminara and her Padawan were stationed there and had to fend off a Separatist invasion of the planet. Master Yoda saved them during the attack from the near-total destruction of the Jedi temple.

6. Ahsoka Tano saved her life from a Sith assassin.

Master Unduli and Ahsoka Tano were escorting the accused criminal, Viceroy Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation, to his trial when they were attacked by Ventress and battle droids. Ahsoka was forced to stay and guard Gunray, but she warned Luminara that Ventress was too powerful for a single Jedi to face from her prior encounters.

Master Unduli pursued Ventress regardless and was blinded in one eye at the start of the fight. She was able to hold her own despite her injury until Ventress surprised her by dropping debris on her. Ahsoka sensed Luminara was in danger and left the Viceroy to save her just in time and together they fought off Ventress.

7. Despite being on screen multiple times during the prequels, her only line is one from The Rise of Skywalker.

Master Luminara is seen on-screen multiple times in the Star Wars prequel films. We first see her as part of the group of Jedi meeting with the Chancellor discussing Padme’s safety after the assassination attempt.

Later in the same movie, she is seen on the battlefield of the Geonosis arena as one of the final survivors of the fight. Despite these appearances, the first time she can be heard in the live-action films is when her disembodied voice speaks to Rey in the Rise of Skywalker.

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