Summary
Star Warsis a franchise with plenty of space battles, galactic warfare, and political conflict between planets. One other thing that is fairly common in the universe is betrayal. With tensions running high and sinister plots going on in the background, it becomes common to find a knife jammed into your back.
Some betrayals are a long time coming, while others were a result of a character changing their mind about the status quo. Some betrayals even helped shape the future of the galaxy for the worse. These are the ten biggest betrayals in the Star Wars franchise.
10Lando Betrays Han
The First Star Wars Betrayal
Lando turning in Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Leia to the Empire was a huge turning point for the plot of The Empire Strikes Back. It allows Darth Vader to have leverage in luring Luke away from his training and into a one-on-one fight.
While Lando does this to protect his people and the city, it soon becomes apparent that the Empire has no plans to honor their deal. With a double betrayal, Lando rescues Leia and Chewbacca and later helps them rescue Han in Return of the Jedi.
9Barris Betrays Ahsoka
Disillusioned With The Jedi Order
Fans of The Clone Wars will know that the series is stacked with characters who are becoming disillusioned with the system. However, no one could expect that Ahsoka would be betrayed by one of her closest friends in the order.
After orchestrating a bombing at the Jedi Temple, Barris frames Ahsoka for the deed, which leads to the Jedi Council putting her on trial. After Anakin uncovers the conspiracy, Ahsoka questions her place as a Jedi after seeing the hypocrisy of the Jedi Order with her own eyes.
8Bode Akuna Betrays Cal Kestis
Jedi Survivor’s Greatest Twist
Star Wars video games are not free of betrayal. One ofthe darkest moments in Star Warshappens in Jedi Survivor. As Cal Kesis joins the fight against the Empire, he soon comes into contact with a man named Bode Akuna. They quickly become friends, and he joins the Mantis Crew.
Bode sells out Cal and his found family to the Empire. He kills Edo Cordova, and later, his actions lead to the death of Cere. Just when Cal confronts Bode, he has one last trick up his sleeve. It turns out that Bode is a Jedi Survivor as well.
7Sidious Betrays Darth Maul
There Can Only Be Two
Darth Maul is cut in half by a young Obi-Wan Kenobi during the climax of the Phantom Menace. While many assumed he was dead, he would return during the Clone Wars to enact his revenge and reunite with his former master out of loyalty.
However, Darth Sidious does not share the same sentiment and immediately attacks Maul, who he now views as a rival Sith Lord. This encounter costs Maul his brother, Savage Opress, who is not as hate-filled as his former master.
6Count Dooku Betrays Yaddle
Darth Tyrannus Is Born
The Tales of the Jedi reveals the downward spiral of Count Dooku and his disillusionment with the Jedi Order. As a young Jedi Knight, Dooku and Qui-Gon witness injustice in the galaxy. After failing to make a change and the death of his former Padawan, Dooku completely turns to the dark side.
Encountering Yaddle, who tries to bring him back to the light, he is forced to kill her as a sign of loyalty to his new master. This betrayal marks the start of something that can no longer be undone.
A Family Feud
The Bad Batch is a series of defective clones, each with their own heightened abilities, such as strength, senses, and intelligence. Because of their defects, the inhibitor chips inside their heads do not work as intended. However, the same cannot be said about Crosshair.
Initially, the inhibitor chip causes Crosshair to fire upon a young Caleb Dume and insist on following orders to execute civilians. Later, however, Crosshair gets his chip removed and chooses to remain with the Empire, betraying the Bad Batch.
4Kylo Ren Betrays Snoke
The Best Moment In The Sequels
The Star Wars sequel trilogy has a few moments where it really shines. Kylo Ren’s betrayal of Snoke is masterfully done, and it caught audiences by surprise the first time they watched it. The betrayal was not only sudden but, for a few moments, threw the entire sequel trilogy for a loop.
With Kylo’s betrayal of Snoke, anything could be possible. Would Kylo return to the light with Snoke gone? Would Rey turn to the dark side? With the major villain down for the count, what comes next? This is one betrayal that had the most impact as it happened.
3Anakin Betrays Mace Windu
Darth Vader Is Born
Anakin and Mace Windu have always been at odds with each other. In The Phantom Menace, Mace Windu refuses to have Anakin trained as a Jedi. In Revenge of the Sith, Mace Windu is constantly showing that he does not trust Anakin and his connection to Palpatine.
After being left to wait at the Jedi Temple, Anakin follows Mace Windu and the other council members as they engage Palpatine. As Mace Windu prepares a final strike, Anakin severs his hand in a desperate attempt to save the one man with the power to stop Padme’s death.
2Darth Vader Betrays The Emperor
Darth Vader Redeems Himself
One of the most iconic betrayals in the original Star Wars trilogy is when Darth Vader picks up the Emperor and throws him into a pit. This betrayal comes fresh off the heels of the Emperor,electrifying Luke with force lightning.
Throughout Return of the Jedi, Luke believes that there is still good in his father. He knows this because Darth Vader refused to kill him when he had the chance. He uses this to slowly bring him back to the light and succeeds in allowing Anakin to die as a Jedi.
1The Clones Betray The Jedi
Execute Order 66
The best betrayal in Star Wars history is Order 66. After fighting side by side with the Jedi for years during the Clone Wars, one simple transmission forces the Clones to swap loyalties. Through the inhibitor chips, the Clones execute their Jedi commanders all across the galaxy.
This betrayal is one of the most heavily dived into parts of Star Wars canon. It is shown from many different angles, including Ahsoka’s survival, the rescue of Grogu, and through the eyes of the Bad Batch. Only skilled or lucky Jedi wouldsurvive order 66.
