The Star Wars franchise features a surprising number of Jedi cameos and celebrity look-a-likes in films, television shows, and comic books (and at least one cameo that didn’t come to pass). Read on to see if you can name all 12.
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1. Jedi Master Shon Kon Ray
First Appearance: comic book Jedi: Shaak Ti (2003)
Ever imagined James Bond as a Jedi? Turns out he already is one! James Bond actor Sean Connery inspired the name, and seemingly the appearance, of an obscure Clone Wars Jedi Master.
Only five months into the Clone Wars, Kon Ray along with fellow Jedi Agen Kolar and Shaak Ti, lead a Republic invasion of the Confederacy-aligned planet Brentaal IV. The local people rebel against the invasion, however, destroying Republic landing craft with shielded ion cannons before the ships can even land. Kon Ray contacts Jedi Master Plo Koon, warning him of the Republic’s heavy losses and suggesting a withdrawal. As he ends his message one of the ion cannons strikes and destroys his Republic gunship. Kon Ray, along with everyone on board, perishes. Apparently even Connery look-a-likes don’t get to only live twice.
2. Jedi Foul Moudama, Roron Corobb, and Voolvif Monn
In 2003, Cartoon Network created a fan poll. The poll asked viewers to select one of three Jedi based on small background characters from the Mos Eisley Cantina scene in A New Hope (1977). The winning Jedi would appear in an episode of Star Wars: Clone Wars.
Although the “Wolfman” Jedi won the poll, Cartoon Network ultimately developed all three Jedi into characters in the series. The three cantina inspired are: Talz Jedi Foul Moudama, Ithorian Jedi Roron Corob, and Shistavanen Jedi Voolvif Monn.
3. Jedi Master Cin Drallig
Many fans would agree a lightsaber choreographer is well suited for one of the Jedi cameos in the Star Wars franchise. Prequel Trilogy’s lead lightsaber fight coordinator Nick Gillard developed some of the coolest lightsaber duels in the entire franchise. Gillard, also the swordmaster and stunt coordinator for the Prequel Trilogy, makes an appearance as Jedi Master Cin Drallig (his name spelled backwards, except for the ‘k’ in ‘Nick’) in Revenge of the Sith.
Drallig serves as Chief of Security and Battlemaster of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant during the Clone Wars. Just like in real life, his job as Battlemaster is train Jedi in lightsaber combat. During the enactment of Order 66, Drallig perishes in a duel with Darth Vader at the Jedi Temple.
4. Jedi Padawan Sha’a Gi
Appearance: Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003)
Scooby Doo’s excitable pal Shaggy Rogers inspires the name, scruffy appearance, and uneasy demeanor of Clone Wars era Padawan Sha’a Gi. Zoinks!
Jedi Padawan Sha’a Gi serves the Jedi Order during the Clone Wars. Although Gi excels in computer systems operation, he exhibits subpar lightsaber combat skills. He also struggles to maintain a calm demeanor during tense moments. During a botched mission to Hypori, Sha’a Gi and five other Jedi take shelter in their ship’s wreckage. Panicking, Sha’a Gi screams, ignites his lightsaber, and charges out into the open. Separatist General leaps down into view, ambushing and crushing the Padawan. The General kills the other Jedi thereafter.
5. Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi (parody)
Appearance: The Saga Begins (parody song music video)
We’d be remiss to forget Weird Al Yankovic’s parody portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the song and music video The Saga Begins. The parody song, set the tune of American Pie, humorously summarizes the journey of “This here Anakin guy” along with other events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Even though the Weird Al music video is not part of Star Wars Canon, Yankovic is arguably one of the most memorable Jedi cameos to date.
American Pie singer-songwriter Don McClean approved of the parody song. Additionally, when asked about George Lucas’s reaction to the parody, Lucasfilm reportedly told Yankovic, “You should’ve seen the smile on [George Lucas’] face.”
6. Jedi Master Ur-Sema Du
Appearance: Star Wars Insider 86 magazine article “Unknown Soldier: The Story of General Grievous” (2006)
Artist Joe Corroney is the creator Jedi Master Ur-Sema Du. Corroney models the character and her likeness after his friend and fellow Star Wars artist Jan Duursema. Known for her work within the Star Wars franchise, Duursema is the creator of the fan favorite characters Twi’lek Jedi Aayla Secura and the Kiffar Jedi Quinlan Vos.
Jedi Master Ur-Sema Du serves the Jedi Order and the Republic during the waning years of the Galactic Republic. She participates in the First Battle of Geonosis, the inaugural battle of the Clone Wars. Du encounters Separatist General Grievous in the catacombs of the Geonosis area. During the ensuing battle, Du wields her lightsaber against an electrostaff-wielding Grievous. The Separatist General ultimately defeats her, adding her green-bladed lightsaber to his notorious lightsaber collection.
7. NSYNC as Three Jedi Padawans
Appearance: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clone (2002) cut scene
NSYNC band members Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and JC Chasez shot two scenes for the film Attack of the Clones (2002). The trio donned Jedi robes and Padawan braids and learned some lightsaber choreography for their roles. Negative Star Wars fan backlash along with SAG-AFTRA policies involving extras caused Lucasfilm to cut NSYNC from the final film, however.
Although Lucasfilm ultimately decided to cut the NSYNC cameo from the film, the original footage may still exist. It’s anyone’s guess if Lucasfilm eventually releases the mysterious cameo footage.
8. Jedi Master Bruu Jun Fan
Appearance: comic book The Clone Wars: The Sith Hunters (2012)
Years before the release of the brilliant fan-made Bruce Lee lightsaber nunchucks video, a Bruce Lee inspired Jedi appeared in a Star Wars comic book. Jedi Master Bruu Jun-Fan serves the Jedi Order during the waning years of the Republic. The character’s appearance, clothing, and unarmed combat skills take inspiration from actor and legendary martial artist Bruce Lee. Lee’s Cantonese birth name is Lee Jun-fan.
During the Clone Wars, Jun-Fan joins a task force to track down Darth Maul and his brother Savage Opress. Several additional Jedi and a team of clone troopers serve on the task force as well. The team tracks the brothers to their ice-planet base. Maul engages Jun-Fan and another Jedi in lightsaber combat. After Maul defeats the other Jedi, Jun-Fan utilizes his hand-to-hand combat skills in attempt to overpower Darth Maul. The Jedi eventually manages to begin choking Maul. Before the Jedi can kill him, Maul kicks Jun-Fan in the gut with his powerful cybernetic leg. Bruu Jun-Fan succumbs to his wounds and dies in the arms of Jedi Master Plo Koon.
9. Jedi Padawan Zett Jukassa (Warpoc Skamini)
Appearances: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
George Lucas’s son Jett Lucas plays a Jedi Padawan in both Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005). During the enactment of Order 66, Jukassa attempts to flee the Jedi Temple. Armed with his lightsaber, Jukassa manages to fight his way to a landing platform. Although he single-handedly strikes down many clone trooper assailants, the clone troopers ultimately overwhelm the young Padawan. Clone troopers shoot the Padawan with blasters. Senator Bail Organa yells, “No!” as he witnesses the Padawan’s fall to the ground and perish.
Jett Lucas’s sisters Amanda Lucas and Katie Lucas also make cameo appearances in multiple Prequel Trilogy films in various (non-Jedi) roles. George Lucas himself also makes a cameo appearance as the politician Notluwiski Papanoida in Revenge of the Sith.
10. Jedi Master Kai Justiss
First Appearance: Star Wars Gamer Magazine 4 story “Kashyyyk in Flames” (2001)
Artist Joe Corroney is the creator of Clone Wars era Jedi Master Kai Justiss. He based the appearance of the character on friend and fellow Star Wars artist Justin Chung. A member of the Jedi Order, Justiss fights during the Clone Wars. After the enactment of Order 66, he manages to survive and elude the newly formed Empire for over 20 years. Eventually his cover is blown, however, and he falls into Imperial custody. The Imperials present the Jedi to Darth Vader on the Death Star around 0 BBY. The Sith Lord promptly kills the Jedi.
12. Jedi Master Aayla Secura
Appearances: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Aayla Secura is, perhaps, one of the most last minute Jedi cameos on the list. Mere months before the theatrical release of Attack of the Clones, George Lucas spotted Jedi Aayla Secura on the cover of a Star Wars comic book. Impressed, he decided to add the character to the movie. Shortly after, ILM production manager Julie D’Antoni asked ILM stage production assistant Amy Allen if she would take the part. Accepting the role, Allen shots several last minute scenes as Jedi Master Aayla Secura for Attack of the Clones. Allen reprised her role in Revenge of the Sith as well.
Aayla Secura, a female Twi’lek Jedi Master, serves as a Jedi General during the Clone Wars. After commanding and fighting alongside the clone troopers of 327th Star Corps, she is among the first Jedi to die following the enactment of Order 66. Clone commander Bly, along with other clone troopers from her unit, take her by surprise. They fire a series of blaster bolts into her back.
