Star Warshas just teased the upcoming Jedi origin story movie in the last place I expected. TheupcomingStar Warsmoviesare incredibly promising, withThe Mandalorian and GroguandStar Wars: Starfightermarking the first of many. Another is set in an overly unique part ofStar Wars’vast timelineand will explore the Jedi Order’s origin.
This movie, provisionally titledStar Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, is currently being written by director James Mangold andAndorwriter Beau Willimon. The movie is expected to be set 25,000 years before the events of the Skywalker Saga, exploring how the first Jedi of the galaxy came to be in communion with the Force.
Thus far, little has been revealed about the film aside from its time period, yetStar Warsmay just have set up a big part ofDawn of the Jediin a completely unexpected way.
Andor Set Up The Rakatan Conquest 25,000 Years Ago
Context Is Crucial
Firstly, it is worth exploring some context from the wider galaxy, specificallyStar Wars’best TV show,Andor. InAndorseason 1, Luthen Rael hands Cassian Andor a Kyber Crystal, telling him it was taken from Rakatan invaders.Andorseason 2 built on this, mentioning that the Rakatan conquest happened 25,000 years ago.
InStar WarsLegends, the Rakata were a race of Force-sensitive beings who attempted an invasion of the galaxy to instate the “Infinite Empire.” The Rakatan invasion was foiled around the same time as the Jedi Order was founded. In Legends games likeKnights of the Old Republic,Rakatan relics can be found across the galaxy, hinting at this history.
While this mystery remains part of Legends, and therefore non-canonical inStar Wars, the various mentions of the Rakata inAndorat least make them a canon race. Moreover,an invasion of some kind by the Rakata is canon, too, and placed 25,000 years ago - the same time as James Mangold’sDawn of the Jediis set to take place.
Rakata Prime Appears On The Star Wars Galaxy Map
The Rakata Are Edging Ever Closer To Being Outright Canon
In June 2025,Star WarsmadeAndor’s canon references to the Rakata even more interesting. The franchise unveiled an interactive galaxy map onStar Wars’official website, allowing audiences to see exactly where certain planets are. In the far reaches of the unknown regions, a planet can be spotted named Rakata Prime.
This planet is also known as Lehon and served as the homeworld of the Rakata. AfterAndor’s references, the race has now been given a distinct homeworld inStar Wars, potentially setting up further exploration down the line. WithStar WarsLegends tying the Rakatan invasion to the origin of the Jedi, canon stories could do the same.
To further support this,Andortied the Rakata to the same section ofStar Wars' timeline as James Mangold’s movie. This could mean thatDawn of the Jediexplores the Rakatans in a way noStar Warsstory ever has in canon, fully bringing the well-known Legends race and their invasion to life.
Notice How Close Rakata Prime Is To Ahch-To, The First Jedi Temple
More Evidence Presents Itself
To further support this theory, it is expected thatDawn of the Jediwill tie to Ahch-To in some way. Ahch-To was first introduced inStar Wars: The Last Jediand revealed as the site of the first-ever Jedi Temple. Given thatDawn of the Jediwill explore the origins of the Order, Ahch-To cannot be far behind.
Concerning how this may link to the Rakata, Ahch-To is the closest planet to Rakata Prime. IfStar Warscanon decides to tie the Rakatan invasion directly to the Jedi Order’s origin, rather than just have them take place around the same time, the proximity of the planets would make a lot of sense.
Admittedly,Dawn of the Jedihas a lot of unknown, untapped potential. By being set so far back in theStar Warstimeline,Mangold and Willimon have so much freedom to explore how the Jedi came to be.
However, after multiple close connections between the Jedi Order and the Rakata in Willimon’sAndor, it seems beyond coincidental. Combining this with Rakata Prime and Ahch-To being close together in theStar Warsgalaxy, it seems as thoughDawn of the Jediis being further teased in the last place we’d expect.
