The members of the Skywalker family inStar Warsare immediately recognizable by even the most casual fan. Sure, there might be a couple of ‘newer’ members that exist inStar Wars Legendscontinuity, but for the most part, everyone knows who the Skywalkers are. Obviously, there’s Anakin, Luke, and Rey, but there’s also the likes of Ben, Nat, and Cade, and every one of them have contributed to the Skywalker legacy. But, there’s also one more ‘Skywalker’ who was never officially given that name, but who has been a member of the family inevery chapter ofStar Wars.
InStar Wars: Legacy - War#6 by John Ostrander and Jan Duursema,the ‘Last Skywalker’ in theStar Warstimeline, Cade Skywalker, is battling the evil Darth Krayt. Darth Krayt not only became Emperor, but he also founded adark side cult called the One Sith, where he raised an army of Sith Lords who were totally loyal to him and him alone. In this six-part miniseries, Krayt was on his way to destroying all who opposed him, and allowing his One Sith to ravage the galaxy in his name. That is, until he was stopped by Cade Skywalker.
After Cade defeated Krayt in lightsaber combat, Skywalker ensured the Sith Lord’s permanent demise by taking Krayt’s body and flying it into a star. Unfortunately, that left Cade floating in space far too close to a star, meaning his own death was imminent. While Cade was willing to sacrifice himself to make sure Darth Krayt never returned from the grave (something he had already done once before), his allies weren’t so quick to let him go - including and especially R2-D2. In fact, it was R2-D2 who flew out into space to grab Cade and bring him to safety.
R2-D2 Has Always Been a Member of the Skywalker Family in Star Wars
From The Phantom Menace to Star Wars: Legacy, R2-D2 Has Always Been There for the Skywalkers
The reason I bring up how R2-D2 saved Cade Skywalker’s life is that it shows just how important R2-D2 has always been in the lives of practicallyevery member of the Skywalker familyall the way to the end of theStar Warstimeline. Now, let’s take a look back at all the other times R2-D2 has been there for the Skywalkers inStar Warshistory.
Star Wars: Legacyis the furthest in the future theStar Warstimeline goes, taking place in 130-138 ABY!
The droid was there for Anakin Skywalker when Ani was just a child, and even helped him blow up the Vuutun Palaa (the Trade Federation Battleship). R2-D2 continued being Anakin’s personal astromech droid throughout his Jedi training, and then maintained that position through the Clone Wars. And during the Clone Wars, R2-D2 actually proved himself to be a capable warrior who actively helped Anakin during missions (including when he destroyed two Super Battle Droids inRevenge of the Sith).
Skip ahead to A New Hope, and R2-D2 is the one who passed Leia Organa’s distress signal to Obi-Wan Kenobi, while also officially introducing Luke Skywalker to Obi-Wan and kickstarting Luke’s Jedi training. Then, throughout the events of the Original Trilogy (even the canonical adventures in the comics and novels), R2-D2 was Luke’s astromech droid, and would be for decades after the fall of the Empire as Luke Skywalker rebuilt the Jedi Order.
Star Wars Turned Way More of the Skywalker Clan Into Jedi Than You Realize
Every Star Wars fan knows the three most prominent Skywalkers: Anakin, Luke, and Rey - but fans might not know that they are far from the only ones!
In Legends continuity, R2-D2 stuck with the Skywalkers through Ben, Nat, Kol, and then finally Cade, where he actually saved Cade’s life. And, in canon, R2-D2 has a similar journey, as he becomes allied with Rey Skywalker, and will assuredly stick with her as she rebuilds the Jedi Order in the future of Star Wars canon. So, as you can see, R2-D2 is an honorary member of the Skywalker family, and he always has been.
R2-D2 Isn’t the Only ‘Secret Skywalker’ in Star Wars: C-3PO
C-3PO was Actually Created By Anakin Skywalker, Making Him Luke’s ‘Droid Brother’
Interestingly enough, R2-D2 isn’t the only iconic droid inStar Warswho can call himself an honorary Skywalker, as that honor also goes to C-3PO. In fact, it could be argued that Threepio deserves the name ‘Skywalker’ even more than Artoo, since he was actually created by Anakin, which would technically make him Luke and Leia’s ‘droid brother’. Plus, like Artoo, Threepio has been with the Skywalkers practically every step of the way throughoutStar Warshistory, making him even more worthy of the Skywalker moniker.
But, even though C-3PO could also be considered an honorary Skywalker, it’s R2-D2 who deserves that title more than anyone, and the fact that he saved Cade Skywalker at the end of theStar Warstimeline only solidifies that fact.
