Cal Kestis' Live-Action Star Wars Debut Looks More Likely Than Ever

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor hero Cal Kestis' live-action debut looks more likely than ever. With Star Wars Jedi 3 officially in the works, Respawn Entertainment's Imperial-era saga has a chance to go down in history as one of Star Wars' all-time best trilogies. Cameron Monaghan's Cal Kestis is one of the franchise's most compelling leading characters, an Order 66 survivor determined to do whatever it takes to save the galaxy from the Empire's oppression, helped by his loyal friends, the crew of the Mantis.

Cal's live-action Star Wars debut has been rumored for some time. Earlier this year, Star Wars published an updated version of Marc Sumerak's Secrets of the Jedi: The Chronicles of Luke Skywalker, in which Luke reveals that he was aware of Cal's existence as an Order 66 survivor.

Within the Star Wars timeline, Luke will have written his account long after the fall of the Empire in 4ABY, while Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is set in 9BBY. That's at least a 13-year difference, but if Cal survives the events of Star Wars Jedi 3, his appearance in the New Republic era wouldn't be an issue. After all, other Order 66 survivors are still running around during this time — most notably, Ahsoka Tano.

Thankfully, Ahsoka Tano will soon reappear on the small screen, as she leads the second season of Ahsoka, a New Republic-era show in which Grand Admiral Thrawn tries to reignite the Imperial Remnant after his return from exile with the help of some very powerful Force-sensitive witches. Now that the three Great Mothers of the Dathomirian Nightsisters have returned to Star Wars' primary galaxy on Thrawn's ship, the Ahsoka season 2 trailer showcases the witches' terrifying power as they infiltrate "Rebel" ships and teleport in a whiff of green smoke. And, as Jedi players will know, one of Cal Kestis' closest confidantes is also a Dathomirian Nightsister.

The Dathomirian Nightsisters In Ahsoka Season 2 Are Key To Cal Kestis' Live-Action Debut

Nightsister Merrin has been an integral part of the Mantis crew since Fallen Order. Until now, she was one of the few surviving Nightsisters after Darth Sidious, Count Dooku, and General Grievous made it their mission to wipe them out during the Clone Wars conflict, as Sidious feared their power, especially that of their leader, Mother Talzin. Since her fateful meeting with Cal, pilot Greez, and Cal's fellow Order 66 survivor Cere Junda, Merrin has also become a resistance fighter, helping refugees escape the Empire's clutches via the Hidden Path in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

However, Merrin has always felt connected to her people, and leaving Dathomir on board the Mantis was not easy for her. If she hears about the Great Mothers' return and Grand Admiral Thrawn's arrival on her home planet, there's every chance she'll want to investigate what's happening and how the Nightsisters are involved. Thrawn is a great tactician, and he's only using them for his own gain, so what's in it for the Great Mothers? Will it help the witches of Dathomir rise again?

Of course, where Merrin goes, Cal Kestis (eventually) goes, too. If Merrin does appear in Ahsoka season 2, and Cal is canonically still alive after Star Wars Jedi 3, Merrin's appearance makes Cal's live-action introduction all the more likely. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll appear in Ahsoka season 2 — though there's always hope — but if Merrin comes into contact with Star Wars Rebels' Ghost Crew, leading her to Ahsoka Tano, Cal may very well be tempted to meet another Order 66 survivor.

As The Book of Boba Fett established, Ahsoka and Luke now know each other, too. If Cal meets Ahsoka, then he could eventually meet Luke as well, perhaps even help him during the early days as he tries to set up a new Jedi Academy on Ossus. Cal's entire mission is about saving the galaxy's future generations from the Empire's tyranny. In Fallen Order, he very nearly sacrificed his life to save a list of Force-sensitive children from the Empire. He'd probably be thrilled to know that someone was willing to raise and train a new generation of Jedi.

Merrin's and Cal's potential inclusion in Ahsoka season 2 wouldn't even necessarily have to spoil Star Wars Jedi 3's events. At this point, it would almost be criminal not to set up Cal Kestis' live-action debut in Ahsoka season 2. These characters are so loved and so important to the galaxy's history. They deserve to have a wider impact on the Star Wars franchise.

Ahsoka season 2 premieres on January 20, 2027, exclusively on Disney+.