Yoda Never Wanted To Train Luke

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According to a passage in a Star Wars canon novel, Yoda had envisioned training Leia and not Luke Skywalker. When Luke encounters the Jedi Master on Dagobah in The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda is reluctant to show the ways of the Force as he fears that Luke will suffer the same fate as Anakin.

Through early interactions, Yoda’s fears about Luke were confirmed. Skywalker had a quick temper and craved adventure. Yoda was swayed by Obi-Wan Kenobi’s faith. Left with no choice if Empire was to be vanquished, Yoda agreed to teach Luke.

At the end of Empire‘s second act, Luke lets Yoda down as he leaves Dagobah to attempt to rescue Han Solo and Princess Leia on Cloud City. Kenobi and Yoda fear Luke will take the “quick and easy path” by jumping headfirst into a task he is not ready for.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of A New Hope, Star Wars: From A Certain Point of View was published. This is a set of stories in the seminal film that let readers experience these stories from the perspectives of side characters.

A chapter, “There is Another,” is on Dagobah and follows Yoda when he migrates to the other side as seasons change. Settled in his hut, Yoda talks with Obi-Wan on the next move. When Kenobi asks to train “young Skywalker,” Yoda accepts, thinking Obi-Wan is referring to Leia. He is sad to learn that Obi-Wan was referring to Luke.

Yoda’s hesitancy is from his belief Luke lacks a serious mindset required to become a Jedi Knight, sensing anger in Anakin’s headstrong son. Yoda preferred Leia as she possessed the traits found in “great Jedi.” The Princess is strong-willed, determined, and focused on her task.

These are qualities that made her a valuable leader for the Rebel Alliance. But Obi-Wan saw a little of himself in Luke which gave him the confidence that Skywalker would not stray from the right path while Leia was bound by her duty to the Rebellion.

Obi-Wan’s intuition was correct, and Luke saved the galaxy by bringing his father back to the light side. In the three decades after the Battle of Endor, Luke tried to start a generation of Jedi and failed as Ben Solo became Kylo Ren. In this event, a Yoda Force ghost appears in, and it will be interesting to see what Luke’s interactions with Yoda are like.

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