What if Thrawn was in Return of the Jedi? - Star Wars Theory Fan Fic

[@Gamer1990100]

Thrawn didn't have the drawback of letting emotions dictate his decisions he simply used logic

[@johnathanmarlin3994]

If Thrawn was in truly charge, the Death Star wouldn’t have even been made, and the rebels would have been wiped out.

[@JakeTylenol]

I mean he lost to Ezra so he’s not all that infallible

[@madmellow5846]

Agreed. Tie Defenders would have eliminated all rebels and any chance of a rebellion

[@wubronumbr1355]

@@JakeTylenol he lost to Ezra due to plot armor. They aren't going to let a villain win in a show about the resistance in this era of Star Wars. They're too scared to allow villains to win. Shit even look at Vader vs Obi Wan in his show. Anyone who knows anything about Vader knows he should wipe the floor with him, but he ends up getting taken down for the plot.

[@madmellow5846]

​@@JakeTylenol All that infallible? I mean it took Ezra summoning space whales to catch Thrawn off guard. If that in itself is what it takes to throw Thrawn off guard then...

[@JakeTylenol]

@@wubronumbr1355 he did win, multiple times, we just going to forget how he completely crippled the rebellion before they got a chance to finally unite in season 3? He just lost to Ezra in the end. But my point stands, he can lose if you have something he can’t predict. It also wasn’t plot armor the plot point was set up from even before Thrawn was introduced.

[@GeoEmperor-]

It is fascinating to see these ‘What If’ timelines, great job editing all this together!

[@billbrown9271]

I love any content with Thrawn ! Always been one of my favourite characters since Heir to the Empire!! This is awesome!!

[@Bblue_light]

It's amazing how just one guy has been added to the battle. changed the whole story, and teaches us that one decision or one action can change a lot like our character or our destiny. Thank you theory for this important lesson and the great story.

[@kab37]

I’m reading through the thrawn trilogy right now and Captain Pellaeon keeps asking this exact question 😂

[@AgentLlamaProp]

We need more Thrawn videos!

[@GezerGozer]

Maybe legends thrawn vids would be cool

[@madmellow5846]

@@GezerGozer I like legends Thrawn but I hope his character is deployed more like it's shown in the newest trilogy. I realize this comment doesn't have anything directly to do with what you said. Back in topic: we need more legends Thrawn videos!

[@kelbydrisdale-payne8126]

If thrawn had command of a fleet of ships of that size it would be over for the galaxy

[@Linktuts]

I don't believe that once you dip in the Darkside, that it will forever dominate your destiny. I mean, look at aayla secura for exemple, she used the dark side early in her life. But she mostly lived as a Jedi

[@cr23wx18]

Nah, anakin was an exception, once you dip into the dark side, there’s no turning back and even if u do u will never truly find redemption

[@tadhggoreyoneill13666]

​@@cr23wx18it's kinda like what Winston said to John Wick in the first movie. "You so much as dip your pinkie finger into that pond careful you don't find something that pulls you into it's depths"

[@priestesslucy3299]

​@@cr23wx18 It's fine. Luke dips in the Dark Side in Legends as well. It all works out in the end.

[@yagami3933]

​@@cr23wx18 gonna have to hard disagree with this

[@yagami3933]

Yep, and Mace used the darkside in his vaapad variant.

[@hotsauce32390]

I have a friend who lives for Grand Admiral Thrawn. He would love this. I'm going to share it. You truly inspire with your content! You're gifted in story-telling and mad props to your production quality on everything you do. Keep pumping out the content. It is appreciated. We are privileged to be fans with you.

[@Jimbo28263]

A Star Wars what if show in the clone wars style of animation would go crazy

[@oliverlewis3126]

Loved the video, I didn’t find the microphone quality that bad honestly, thanks for this!!

[@jake_gon_jinn]

In the "Heir to the Empire" book by Timothy Zahn there's an specific line about this theory: 📝 "Pellaeon had often wondered how the Battle of Endor would have ended if Thrawn, not Vader, had been commanding the Executor." One thing that people might miss is that Thrawn is genius strategist, unlike Darth Vader. He studies his enemies from every single angel, he sympathize with theme, sees their motivations and passions. So yes, it would've been completely different if Thrawn was in command in Battle Of Endor.

[@festo512]

Wasn't last command a remake of return of the jedi. Thrawn didn't do so well there did he?

[@priestesslucy3299]

​@@festo512 I just recently listened to the Last Command audiobook (read it about 20 years ago) I don't see parallels to Return of the Jedi personally. It's a unique story.

[@festo512]

@@priestesslucy3299 Are you serious? The rebel fleet is led into trap. The main bad guy is killed by his bodyguard. The heroes lead a ground mission while there is a space battle going on. Either you are lying or not too bright. Which one is it?

[@priestesslucy3299]

@@festo512 I am blonde, maybe that helps? For one thing, the 'killed by his bodyguard' parallel never registered to me, probably because at the time of the Emperor's death I don't think of 'Vader, the Emperor's minion,' I think of 'Anakin, Luke's dad.'

[@festo512]

@@priestesslucy3299 You don't remember the scene where Luke attacks the emperor with his lightsaber and vader blocks it? How many years ago did you last see return of the jedi?

[@theodorekim4193]

I'm sorry, but I find it incredibly unrealistic for Luke to defeat The Emperor at the time of Return of the Jedi, even if he fully embraced the Dark Side. By then, Luke only had about 4 years of training and was barely at the level of an average Jedi master. If it were let's say, 10-15 years after RotJ, then sure, he would destroy Palpatine, but before that, he would be no match.

[@alanguenin]

He didn’t defeat the emperor. Vader did.

[@theodorekim4193]

@@alanguenin No, I was referring to this particular fan-fiction story that Star Wars Theory made. In this story, Luke overpowers The Emperor right after defeating Vader. And as I said, Luke, at this point, has absolutely no chance of defeating Palpatine, even if he embraces the dark side.

[@priestesslucy3299]

@@theodorekim4193 It's not that difficult to believe, once you accept the novelizations that clearly state Placid Luke = Vader. And Lucas' statements of Vader = 80% of the Emperor. The dark side gives the user a fat boost in short term power in exchange for the price it takes. I can absolutely see Luke shrouded in darkness defeating the emperor. Heck, the emperor already foresaw Luke being a direct threat to him. Is the Force going to show him visions of himself beyond his demise?

[@benjaminobienu5297]

This is awesome, my friend; I really like Tharwn being calculating and stepping ahead of anyone else. That makes him a dangerous and fantastic villain, and I love to see a sequel where Grand Adrimal Thrawn was created as the new Emperor of the Galactic Empire, for this is an incredible masterpiece, my friend, and may the force be with you!

[@masteryoghurt2110]

If I was the emperor and had to choose Thrawn or Vader to stay, I would choose Thrawn any day of the week, together with Chimera and its crue - Kharyn Faro and Eli Vanto and others

[@witcher348]

Theory just casually set up the Filoni movie.

[@macwelch8599]

Grand Admiral Thrawn would’ve decommissioned the Death Star, and instead rely solely on his powerful fleet

[@Xenomorphine]

The DS was part of the fleet. It literally acted as a giant one-shot-one-kill battleship.

[@macwelch8599]

@@Xenomorphine Thrawn would never use it, though

[@Xenomorphine]

@@macwelch8599 Something that powerful and practically immune? Think he absolutely would, but would probably wait for it to be completed and improve the defences.

[@TV-ge3uj]

@@macwelch8599 Yes, he would. Of course he wouldn't have *built* it, but not using it would have been an even greater waste than building it in the first place.

[@priestesslucy3299]

​@@macwelch8599 with the Emperor still on the Throne, Thrawn has to follow orders. Thrawn would never blow up a planet if he could help it, but as an Anti-capital-ship canon it does have a lot of tactical value.

[@WIB081]

This is one of the most interesting ideas I’ve come across in a LONG time! Freaking awesome dude!

[@CosmicDominator]

Didn’t thrawn want to bombard the Ewoks because he didn’t underestimate them but Palpatine told him not to because he had his own plan and was overconfident

[@chaossalad3243]

Excuse me? Thrawn was never at the Battle of Endor, in Legends or canon. Unless you mean before the battle Thrawn wanted the Ewoks bombed, in which case I’m still confident he never said that

[@CosmicDominator]

@@chaossalad3243 Its in the novel “choices of one” he wanted to burn the forest around the shield generator for 100km but Palpatine completely dismissed him

[@chaossalad3243]

@@CosmicDominator haven’t read that one, but if that’s so then apologies

[@JohanMsWorld]

Poor Cal.. wonder what will happen if a darkside Cal meet darkside Luke in a battle for power following this scenario? J.

[@Beto_820]

Would’ve been so sick to see Luke lean a bit more into his dark side. The battle against the Emperor would’ve been EPIC.

[@jimokane9891]

I think Thrawn would have survived and taken a large portion of the Imperial Fleet into the Unknown regions, then things would proceed more similarly to the events preceding Heir to the Empire. Thrawn would establish the Empire of the Hand and would return maybe 5 - 10 years later to retake the Empire and destroy the fledgling New Republic. Whether these new events around Return of the Jedi would change the outcome of the Heir to the Empire Trilogy is unclear.

[@joestover7610]

Have you done a theory on what if the jedi order hadn't found Anikan as a child?

[@KeithForsberg]

I’m glad we’re getting an adaption of heir to the empire and Thrawn. I haven’t read much Star Wars books but intend to read this one. Excited for Ahsoka and the Filoni film the most

[@OldCityBob]

Great stuff!! I've always held the belief that the Empire would have won the battle if Thrawn were there. I recall Pellaeon wondering it in the book.

[@gianfri7640]

Nothing would have changed. The imperial navy had the order to stall the fight until ordered otherwise, because having Luke witness the slowly destruction of the rebel fleet was part of Palpatine's strategy to break him and turn him to the Dark Side. And if I recall correctly the Episode 6 novelization (canon), when the Emperor died every single imperial soldier near Endor suffered from some sort of "Force-shockwave" caused by Palpatine's death, as his maliciousness was pretty much affecting everyone of them (I like to think of it as an early form of what would have became known in the EU as "Battle Meditation"), so even then Thrawn would have made little difference. The Empire lost the Battle of Endor because Palpatine understimated Luke's willpower and the power of the bond between a father and his child, not because tactical incompetence.

[@echo5327]

I think you’re right, so I think a more accurate name for this is “what if thrawn had complete tactical control of the battle of Endor”

[@ordinarryalien]

The thumbnail Thrawn looks like Henry Cavill.

[@WilliamAGould]

Actually, if Thrawn was present. Him might have let things play out. Thrawn did not like the Death Star. With Palpatine amd Vader on the Death Star, Thawn could have arranged a power play with the shield going down to destroy the Death Star. After the Death Star is destroyed, Thrawn then rallies the Imperial fleet and crushes the rebels, making for a legendary comeback and cementing him as the new leader of the Empire.

[@piercinglikelightproductio9382]

There needs to be a part 2.

[@Darthlordzelgius]

I honestly have no idea how these videos don't get more views, they're so riveting! Well done!

[@boat1280]

I enjoy these old school what if videos! Just some good nerd fun

[@chimoha8037]

I wish we could get more thrawn from theory

[@Ravencos]

"Luke turned the Death Star on the Imperial Fleet" 😂😂 How!? 😂😂😂

[@theaterlightman89]

What if vader used lukes hand as a replacement for his own?

[@Christommyfmx]

Not gonna lie, the mic took me back to a time before the Vader fan film. Glad to be along for the wild ride

[@tomdeluca5946]

If thrawn was in rotj then the ewoks would be eradicated as that was his recomendation to palpatine

[@Darth_Traitorous]

You don't need thrawn empire already had one there special forces on the ground on endor, inferno squad they killed every single rebel in their way to get to their ship. I double-checked this is canon.

[@sovereigndayyouthkafir3943]

This is bleak. If Luke turns to the Dark Side to vanquish Palpatine, I don't see any way for him to later become a Jedi Grandmaster.

[@PisternatorTV]

With Thrawn in charge I dont think the Rebel strike team would've ever made it to the shield generator. Besides the obvious security risk of having the bunker in the middle of the forest and easy to sneak up on, a shuttle with "older codes" would definitely have either been shot down or pulled into a Star Destroyer for inspection.

[@bradgrand79]

Looking at you view numbers it’s clear the news and drama videos get more views but there is still some who love the fan fiction and at least for me it helps keep the love of Star Wars alive

[@user-lf6xz3me8x]

Thrawn was the empires greatest weapon

[@InfiniteNaos]

The Rebellion would’ve had a much tougher time defeating the Empire. Thought not impossible since Hera would’ve been involved along with other individuals who’s had experience against Thrawn. Still, the outcome would’ve been more in the Empire’s favor in all fronts.

[@darthraulitothekeeper]

I hope you make a part 2 also I would like thrawn to survive and also help the new rules of the Galaxy.

[@bacaawesomerorie2788]

What if man of steel was in Star war original trilogy

[@gabriel.skywalker44]

Thrawn is a legend

[@botman234langer6]

If that happened i think the empire would've have won

[@Wavy601]

I love your vids and what you do also is your podcast still on Spotify

[@angelosusa4258]

It’s kinda like mace windu using some aspects of dark side against an opponent

[@asonunique3637]

I don’t think Luke was going for Vader. He was trying to strike down the emperor, but Vader blocked it. The whole movie he was saying how he couldn’t kill his father, until he threatened him with turning Leia to the Darkside.

[@MaikeruX989]

An interesting idea, that RotJ Luke would stand any chance at all against Palpatine having just fallen to temptation. Not something that ever occurred to me. That being said, there is no way Luke could come back from the dark so easily at the end. No way, no how. Not breaking new ground here, but only the intervention/sacrifice of Leia would be enough to break evil’s hold on Luke at that point.

[@theintunity]

Hey Theory, could you do a reaction video on the interview with Hayden Christensen and Diegu Luna? It was a pretty interesting one.

[@mrjuse5470]

Read the Thrawn books. The recent series 2017-2019. Not going to spoil but he is a lot more complex than 99% of you realize and probably not who you think he is. 😮

[@PsyKotyK]

Luke looks terrifing in that thumb nail like hes crossed with pennywise from IT

[@eliminator1472]

Highly doubt Luke could have killed Palpatine at this point in his life.

[@skelleytor]

I have a feeling Thrawn’s presence in Ahsoka , will be minimal l… like maybe see him in the end

[@studavies1967]

Had always thought if the imperials had thrawn in overall command with general veers on the planet, by by rebellion

[@maxheadroom4659]

So what is the official canon as to why Thrawn was not present in the original trilogy? He was in command on the far side of the galaxy?

[@rexmagi4606]

He and Ezra got lost in a worm hole or something before a New Hope so neither were present for the OT. Ahsoka was looking for them during this time but hasnt found them yet.

[@Empty00Eyes]

I much preferred the idea that he had attempted to expose the corruption of the imperial military contractors and demonstrate they were making inferior hardware and getting exiled for it.

[@c.pharris8013]

You're thrawn voice is so good lol. Is it inspired by the Jonathan davis-narrated thrawn trilogy?

[@w0706]

Very interesting and intriguing "What If" episode, thanks SWT!

[@Dmac7318]

The music 👌🏼

[@CloneScavengerVulpin8389]

Palpatine: "goood."

[@Anonymoose66]

I love this so much. Thank you!

[@Kingjulien1809]

A long version of this would be cool with more detail

[@yawobi5083]

If Ben Skywalker was born or in the womb I think Luke would have had a shred of hope.

[@yawobi5083]

If Luke would have eventually played hanky-panky with the emperor's hand (pun intended) I wonder If Ben would have been a new hope or a new dread?

[@xtremeemperor]

As cool as the ai stuff is, it isn’t the same as your pure original thoughts and ideas. I prefer the old non ai theories just in the face that it was 100% Star Wars Theory putting it together

[@superultrainstinctkingcody4852]

I really enjoyed this video very much

[@kylewooten9238]

Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Will it though, or is that just the dogmatic narrow view of the Jedi? 🤔

[@markveres7369]

Can you do uh...What if Mara Jade was in Return of the Jedi?She's helping Luke Skywalker

[@everettjohnson9374]

Just wait till luke learns palps would return

[@FFA441]

Do a part 2 where thrawn survived

[@kushpatel8968]

what if thrawn joined the rbellioin?

[@marcuswaters4018]

Qui gon is anakins real father and also obi wans. Let the debate commence

[@user_anonymous2945]

I like candy

[@incizer4419]

AND HIS NAME IS THRAWN CENA!!!

[@MythicGGs]

Love and appreciate everything you do Theory.

[@rexmagi4606]

Thrawn called in the gravity wells from the OG Empire at War game.

[@av300]

The Thrawn in the thumbnail looks like John Cena but you can see him

[@pieronlego]

Send this video to Palleon

[@saucy3639]

Smart things would have happened

[@sebastjankoracin7774]

Actually there is one part i find a bit strange how would luke a known enemy of th3 empire be able to command the death star especially after killing the emperor as far as i know only royal guards knew Palpatine was sith and could be manipulated by the darl side but the rest of the military seeing the man who killed their emperor along with royal guards would try to kill him i think there is no way luke would be able to vcommand them unless he put them all under mind control

[@Natsirt666]

What do you think Luke's Sith name would be? Darth ....?

[@Gor85]

Great fanfic! :D Well done!😁 I'm sure this would happen. Thrawn would destroy the Rebellion. I'm glad Luke stays in the light. He uses darkness but mostly light. He can do it. I think Thrawn lives. He escaped somewhere. Luke and the Jedi would face him again. Awesome Sidious voice😁 The Force will be with you too. Always :)

[@festo512]

Didn't Thrawn get hiss ass beat by the rebellion in last command?

[@Gor85]

@@festo512 it's hard to imagine Thrawn get beat easily. And haven't seen that. Watched Rebels. Not all

[@festo512]

@@Gor85 it was a novel then comic book.

[@Gor85]

@@festo512 ok thanks. sorry :)

[@JreyKent]

You should continue this timeline and make up what happened to Ezra in this scenario

[@AyooRikoo]

Pt. 2 👀

[@hiddengameseekerlp1786]

Best video of all time

[@kylervillagomez6716]

Can you do top 10 facts about depa billaba

[@aerodraconis]

Oh wow, I can actually hear you for a change. Aside from the popping, keep the higher level of audio. We shouldn’t have to pump the volume high bro

[@allnamesaretakenful]

How would Luke stop Palpatine's Force Lightning?

[@Area1313J]

Love this! I’ve missed fan fictiona

[@alexisjankowski3281]

I love this channel

[@lordsvenska7567]

John cena (thrawn parody) for thumbnail lol

[@anthonystogner7580]

Luke pulling a Cal Kestis..

[@isisbarfuss558]

I'm glad you told us it was made by AI.

[@MarioMario-gf5wb]

Why Ai?

[@stevenarmstrong5467]

If Thrawn was in command then a mistress of Weinstein would cry out: _Misogyny!!_

[@LukeplaysTV]

yeah i didnt get the notification for this video, weird, youtube having problems

[@sunnyjohnson992]

What if Anakin was a twin or had a sibling? What if young Anakin didn’t want to be trained as a Jedi? What if Anakin was an orphan when Qui Gon met him? And what if Padme was the same age as Anakin when they first met?

[@bangerxshane]

Are you implying Anakin's into sister figures?

[@JohnSmith-tx1mz]

Thrawn would have destroyed the rebel scum with ease.

[@taylorvany1084]

More please

[@dennisrivera1399]

I got one for you. A what if qui gon took part as a general in the clone wars. Would he turn to the dark side ? Would anakin turn into a luke type and bring him back like a father and son situation ? And don’t be soft about it, give me his Jedi amor and clone company. Would he have took over the elite corp ? Things like that and where obi wan at in his Jedi career without anakin. Maybe Ashoka ? Cal ?

[@Lumber91]

WE ARE GETTING 2 STAR WARS MOVIES IN 2026 🎉🎉

[@jacobporter419]

Explain

[@Lumber91]

@@jacobporter419 Disney announced they are delaying tons of movies and shows under the Disney umbrella. So the 2025 December movie is going to May 2026 and we will get a movie in December 2026.