The iconicStar WarsLegends, orExpanded Universe, character Talon Karrde was the leader of the Smuggler’s Alliance and a future ally of theNew Republic. Karrde definitively shaped the future of theStar Warsgalaxy after his first appearance. He was created by Timothy Zahn for his original Expanded Universe novel,Heir to the Empire, alongside the likes ofMara JadeandGrand Admiral Thrawn.
Well known for his smuggling antics, Karrde is a much more idealized smuggler, who was first envisioned by Zahn as what Han Solo could have been if he never joined theRebel Alliance. He’s an uncommitted smuggler who still does have a good heart, and a charm that allows him to build a community. Much like Solo, Karrde is a naturally good person – it just takes him longer to come around.
Talon Karrde’s Star Wars Legends Origin
Smuggler For Jorj Car’das
As a young man,Karrde originally became a smuggler working for the legendary Jorj Car’das. Car’das was the leader of a smuggling group, and an information broker who was named after George Lucas. During this time, he built up a reputation as a smuggler, and made countless connections that would become useful later in his life. As a young smuggler, he also stumbled into the legendary lost Katana Fleet.
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After Car’das’s disappearance around the time of the Battle of Yavin, Karrde took it upon himself to step into Jorj’s shoes. Karrde quickly became the leader of the smuggling organization, brutally taking out all other high-ranking smugglers to secure control for himself. From then on, Karrde’s group quietly became one of the top criminal organizations in the galaxy, rivaled by the likes ofJabba the Hutt’s clan.
How Talon Karrde Wound Up Working With Mara Jade
Former Emperor’s Hand, Future Criminal Enforcer
Mara Jade began as one of the Emperor’s Hands, agents of Palpatine hidden from the public eye that were sent on top-secret missions. This often involved assassinations and other dirty work that the Emperor needed to do. After his death, though, Mara Jade moved into the criminal underworld, putting her well-established skills to good use.
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On the planet Varonat, years later, Jade saved the life of Karrde and one of his lieutenants, impressing the crime-boss. He offered her a role in his organization immediately, which she accepted, becoming a key part of the smuggling group.She became a smuggler, a fierce guardian of Karrde, and the second-in-command of the entire operation, based on the jungle planet Myrkyr.
Talon Karrde’s Surprising Relationship With The New Republic
Ally In The Smuggler’s Alliance
During the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn, Karrde became a very important asset to the fledgling LegendsNew Republic. As he was initially approached by the Grand Admiral about the mystical Ysalamiri that lived on Myrkyr, he became embroiled in events involving Leia Organa Solo, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and their allies. His organization became involved in the conflict between the New Republic and Thrawn.
In this tumultuous time, Mara Jade became an ally to Luke Skywalker, andKarrde began to organize what would later be called the Smuggler’s Alliance. Acting as a third party representative of the smugglers of the galaxy, this Alliance brought together the galactic underworld. The Smuggler’s Alliance would go on to be the key to victory for the New Republic as well, with their arrival at the Battle of Bilbringi – where Thrawn was defeated and finally killed.
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Beyond this, the Smuggler’s Alliance continued to be a valuable asset, mainly for information brokerage to the New Republic. Mara Jade was a part of the group, and acted as their representative to the New Republic during its continual growing pains. Karrde himself continued leading his organization, and even came into the galactic spotlight once again to aid the New Republic in its conflict against the Dark Jedi warlord Kueller.
Over time, the Smuggler’s Alliance gradually drifted further and further apart, leaving Karrde more or less on his own once again. As an independent and successful leader, Karrde began to search for Jorj Car’das once again, trying to find what had happened to his original mentor and boss. This led him to find the aged smuggler, and both Car’das andKarrde played a key role in the Caamas Document Crisis in theHand of Thrawnduology in 19 ABY.
Talon Karrde: The (Better) Heir To Jabba
Heir To The Underworld
Much of Timothy Zahn’s original Thrawn trilogy deals with the heirs to the organizations that were left leaderless in years prior. The heir to the Jedi was Luke Skywalker, the Republic was Leia, theHeir to the Empireitself was Thrawn, and Talon Karrde was the heir to the criminal underworld. Of course, this is because of the death of Jabba the Hutt inReturn of the Jediat the hands of Leia.
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Jabba’s death, much like inStar Warscanon, left a power vacuum that was filled by many, but the events of the Thrawn trilogy prove that Karrde truly was the heir to the criminal underworld - but in a very different way.Karrde led with respect, honor, and smarts, rather than with brute force and ruthlessness like Jabba did before him, and as criminal organizations almost always tended to. This was Karrde’s secret weapon, and allowed him to happily align with the New Republic for the sake of the galaxy.
Will Talon Karrde Ever Become Star Wars Canon?
Or Is Boba Fett The New Talon Karrde?
Many elements of Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy have made their way intoStar Warscanon storytelling during the modern era ofStar Warstelevision. From the scheming senators that seem to be against New Republic countermeasures, to the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn to the galaxy from far away, it looks like theStar Warsuniverse is gearing up for a loose adaptation of the Thrawn trilogy in canon. Where does Talon Karrde, a key part of the books, factor into these plans?
Many are convinced that Talon Karrde will never become canon – because his role is seemingly being filled by another character: Boba Fett. InThe Book of Boba Fett, Boba goes from a simple bounty hunter, the best in the galaxy, to struggling to lead a criminal organization in a more honorable way. Changed by his time in the sarlacc, Boba Fett may now be primed to lead an honorable smuggling organization, playing Talon Karrde’s part in the war against Thrawn in the modernStar Warscanon.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
