Anakin Skywalker is one of the most iconic characters in the Star Wars saga, with his journey from a slave on Tatooine to Jedi Knight, and finally to Sith Lord as Darth Vader, taking centre stage in the prequel trilogy. However, his family background, particularly his stepbrother, is less commonly discussed. Let’s shed some light on this character.
Anakin’s Childhood and Family
Anakin Skywalker was born to Shmi Skywalker, who raised him alone. They were both slaves on the desert planet of Tatooine. Anakin’s life took a dramatic turn when Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn discovered him and believed Anakin to be the prophesied Chosen One who would bring balance to the Force.
Enter Cliegg Lars
Anakin’s mother, Shmi, was later freed from slavery by a man named Cliegg Lars, a moisture farmer on Tatooine. Cliegg not only bought her freedom but also fell in love with her and they married, thus bringing Anakin a stepfather, although Anakin himself was already away with the Jedi Order at this time.
Anakin’s Stepbrother: Owen Lars
When Cliegg Lars married Shmi Skywalker, Anakin gained a stepbrother, Owen Lars. Owen is Cliegg’s son from a previous relationship. Thus, despite not being blood-related, Owen and Anakin are stepbrothers due to the marriage of their parents.
Owen Lars played a significant role in the Star Wars saga as well. He and his wife Beru would later take in and raise Anakin’s son, Luke Skywalker, on their moisture farm on Tatooine. This makes Owen Lars the uncle of Luke Skywalker, the protagonist of the original Star Wars trilogy.
The Skywalker-Lars Connection
The connection between the Skywalker and Lars families is significant. It’s on the Lars moisture farm that Luke Skywalker grows up, ignorant of his true parentage but destined to follow in his father’s footsteps as a Jedi. Owen Lars, while seemingly just a simple moisture farmer, plays a crucial role in the Skywalker saga by providing Luke with a home until the young Skywalker is ready to step onto the galactic stage.
Image: Star Wars
