‘Star Wars’: Are Jedi Knights Actually Allowed to Have Sex?
Many Star Wars fans would tell you that being Jedi is awesome except for the fact that Jedi aren’t allowed to have sex. The whole issue of Jedis’ love lives isn’t really discussed in the original trilogy. After all, there are only a few Jedi in those movies and all of them are single. However, the issue becomes a major part of the plots of the final two prequels.
Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala fall in love in Attack of the Clones. The film frames their relationship as forbidden. But is it actually against the rules for Jedi to have sex?
Love, intimacy, and ‘Star Wars’
Jedi meditate, focus on spirituality, and largely cut themselves off from normal life – or whatever counts as “normal life” in the Star Wars universe. Because of this, it’s easy to think of Jedi as monks. Samuel L. Jackson even said his performance as Mace Windu was inspired by monks, specifically Shaolin monks from Hong Kong movies.
Monks are generally supposed to remain celibate so many assumed that Jedi are supposed to remain celibate as well. Lucas revealed this is not the case. He told the BBC “Jedi Knights aren’t celibate – the thing that is forbidden is attachments – and possessive relationships.”
Many assume the relationship between Anakin and Padmé was forbidden because Anakin took some sort of celibacy vow. However, Lucas made it clear the possessive relationships are the problem, not sex. This is interesting, as judging from the Star Wars movies, Jedi live a sexless existence. This could have more to do with the family-friendly nature of the franchise than anything else.
What Mark Hamill had to say about Luke Skywalker’s love life
However, not everyone involved in the creation of the Star Wars franchise agrees with Lucas. Mark Hamill doesn’t think Jedi have sex lives. Why? According to Wired, when he was asked if Jedi were celibate, Hamill answered “I think so. Otherwise, I’d have a girlfriend by now.”
On a separate occasion, Hamill said the opposite. On Twitter, a fan asked if Luke Skywalker died a virgin. Hamill said fans could devise their own backstories for Luke. However, he said he came up with a backstory for Luke where the character did not die a virgin. It would certainly be fascinating to see a Star Wars film delve into Luke’s love life at some point!
Luke did marry a reformed villain named Mara Jade in earlier Star Wars material, like Timothy Zahn’s popular Thrawn trilogy. However, Star Wars is operating under a new continuity during the Disney era and Mara is not part of it. However, perhaps Disney can work her into the new continuity someday. Perhaps they’d stay true to Lucas’ vision by putting her in a relationship with Luke where they don’t get too attached.
