In the Star Wars galaxy, the Jedi Order was guided by the will of its Council. However, not every Jedi Knight was fully on board with their mandates. While most still served the light side of the Force, these Jedi who often bent the rules and walked their own paths were known as “mavericks”.

Despite being a major institution for thousands of years in the Star Wars timeline, the Jedi Order was far from perfect. After all, it was their hubris and pride that largely led to the Order being destroyed by the Sith. With that in mind, here’s a ranked list of the best “Rebel Jedi” who chose more independent journeys as mavericks, rather than fully following the Council’s mandates.

10

Eno Cordova

An Independent Jedi Archaeologist

Debuting in EA’s Jedi games, Jedi Master Eno Cordova was an archaeologist dedicated to the study of the ancient Zeffo. A friend of fellow maverick Qui-Gon Jinn, Cordova once experienced a dark vision of the Jedi Order’s demise, one the Jedi Council didn’t take seriously. Frustrated and disappointed, Cordova took matters into his own hands and copied the Jedi Archives’ list of Force-sensitive children in the hopes of reviving the Jedi one day following Order 66.

9

Elzar Mann

A Unique Perspective on The Force

A prominent Jedi Master during the High Republic Era, Elzar Mann had an unorthodox relationship with the Force to go along with his often unorthodox methods. As such, the result was Elzar initially being disapproved of by the Jedi Council. He also had a not-so-secret romantic affair with his lifelong friend and love Jedi Master Avar Kriss.

Viewing the Force like an ocean, Elzar believed the Force provided greater understanding the deeper into its depths one was willing to explore via experimentation. Also seeking to try new things and methods when it came to the Force, it makes sense why the Jedi Council was wary of his constant desire to break barriers and explore new frontiers of the Force.

8

Mace Windu

Possessing A Controversial Lightsaber Combat Style

Despite being the leader of the Jedi Council, one could argue that Jedi Master Mace Windu was a maverick in his own way. This is mainly due to his unique lightsaber combat style. A variation of Form VII Windu developed himself known as Vaapad, the “Ferocity Form” was all about harnessing one’s darker emotions and impulses into their strikes.

However, this variation was one Windu rarely taught any other Jedi beyond his own apprentice Depa Billaba. This is because it risked the wielder losing control of said emotions and giving in to the dark side. As such, this unique path to lightsaber combat could arguably earn Windu the title of maverick, despite his more official position as the Council’s elected leader and dedication to the Jedi Code.

7

Luke Skywalker

Committed To Redemption

During the original trilogy, Luke Skywalker was trained to become a Jedi by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. However, the moment his friends were in trouble, Luke resisted their guidance and authority. Likewise, Luke also chose to trust his own instincts and believe that his father could still be brought back to the light and redeemed, even as both Kenobi and Yoda believed Darth Vader was too far gone and corrupted by the dark.

6

Baylan Skoll

Seeking To Break The Galactic Wheel

Surviving Order 66, Baylan Skoll chose to become a very different kind of Jedi in its aftermath. Having determined that the idea of the Jedi Order was far better than what it actually became before its demise, Baylan sought power as a “Dark Jedi”. As was shown in Ahsoka season 1, Baylan wanted to find the power to break the endless cycle of conflict constantly afflicting the galaxy.

Baylan Skoll’s maverick Jedi status is darker than most. However, he’s not a full villain wielding the dark side either. In any event, he’s definitely one of the most fascinating Jedi survivors following the tragedy that was Order 66.

5

Ahsoka Tano

Lost Faith In The Jedi Council

Trained by Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano was naturally just as much of a rule-breaker and bender as her master during the Clone Wars. However, Ahsoka arguably went even further in her independence as a maverick after she was framed for a bombing at the Jedi Temple. Rather than offering her the benefit of the doubt and their support, the Jedi Council Ahsoka had given her life to turn their backs on her.

Becoming a fugitive, Ahsoka was forced to try and clear her name with Anakin’s help. However, even after the real culprit was caught, and the Council offered its apologies, Ahsoka chose to leave the Jedi Order outright. That said, Ahsoka Tano still remained a hero throughout the Galactic Civil War and New Republic, even if she considered herself no longer to be a true Jedi.

Ultimately, Ahsoka Tano did reconnect with her Jedi path in the events of Ahsoka season 1. Following a reunion with the spirit of her old master, Ahsoka gained a new conviction to become a Jedi once more. That said, one can imagine that Ahsoka Tano will continue to be unconventional, especially as she continues to train her Mandalorian apprentice Sabine Wren.

4

Quinlan Vos

A Dark Side Double Agent

Quinlan Vos is one of the most popular and well-known Jedi mavericks in the Star Wars timeline. Keeping his focus on the galactic underworld, Vos was a liaison between the Jedi Order and local planetary authorities. Likewise, he was specifically chosen for his brash and unorthodox methods to try and assassinate Count Dooku during the Clone Wars, a mission that saw Quinlan toeing the line between the dark and light sides of the Force.

Briefly corrupted to the dark side while attempting to be a double agent, it was Vos’ romance with Dooku’s former assassin Asajj Ventress that brought him back to the light. Vos would then survive Order 66 to found the Hidden Path. Protecting Force-sensitives and their families from the Empire, this secret organization also included Eno Cordova.

Quinlan Vos’ journey was nearly as tumultuous as Anakin Skywalker’s. However, it was Quinlan’s path being so unique as a maverick that led to some of his most heroic acts. As such, it certainly means he deserves his rank on the higher end of this list.

3

Count Dooku

Couldn’t Stand The Republic’s Corruption

While he ended up joining Palpatine as his Sith apprentice, Dooku was a maverick opposed to the Jedi Council long before he ultimately left the Order. Unable to reconcile with the Republic’s corruption and the Jedi Order’s complacency, Dooku was a far more independent Jedi than most. Likewise, his position apart from the Council’s views was something his apprentice Qui-Gon Jinn would come to inherit (albeit in a more positive fashion).

2

Anakin Skywalker

The Master of Rule Breaking

Anakin Skywalker never became a Jedi Master. However, Anakin was certainly the master of bending the rules and defying the Jedi Council. As long as the end result was worthwhile and his instincts told him it was the right thing to do, he did it, no matter how unorthodox or how much the Council would disapprove. There’s also the small matter of his secret marriage to Senator Padmé Amidala.

1

Qui-Gon Jinn

The OG Jedi Maverick

Qui-Gon Jinn is Star Wars’ original Jedi “maverick”. Debuting in The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon Jinn was far more focused on the present and the will of the living Force over the Jedi Council’s will and its views on the Jedi Code. Having rejected a seat among their ranks, Qui-Gon was far more content being among the various citizens and worlds that made up the galaxy, helping where he was needed and called to by the Force.

Qui-Gon often challenged the norms of the Jedi Order, like when he refused the Council’s initial decree that Anakin Skywalker wouldn’t be trained due to his age. Trusting his own judgment, Qui-Gon was very much guided by compassion, another key trait that set him apart from the more detached Council. In many ways, Qui-Gon’s “maverick” status is exactly what ironically made him the ideal Jedi Knight.

Cast

Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Ian McDiarmid, Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, Pedro Pascal

TV Show(s)

The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lando, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Resistance, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars: Visions

Movie(s)

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Star Wars: New Jedi Order

Character(s)

Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Rey Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Grand Inquisitor, Reva (The Third Sister), The Fifth Brother, The Seventh Sister, The Eighth Brother, Yoda, Din Djarin, Grogu, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren