I’m nearing the end of my inaugural Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order playthrough and it is the characters that have really shined.
I talked a lot about gameplay previously, which is also a strength of the game, but the storytelling is something else. It is solid, compelling, and the characters stand out as welcome additions to Star Wars lore.
Protagonist Cal Kestis, voiced by Cameron Monaghan, is a lot of fun to explore as his personal story helps drive home the dire straits the Jedi find themselves in.
As much as I love Kestis and think he’s a welcome refresh, I think he needs to stay in his games.
The main reason I think this is because of the cliché, “too much of a good thing.” Kestis is a fantastic character with a lot of intrigue around him, but I worry launching him into other Star Wars media may saturate him.
For one, Disney does not have a good track record when it comes to fan service. Oftentimes, cameos feel shoehorned and don’t add much to the story other than for a cheap pop from the audience.
That’s not always the case as it was nice to see Hayden Christensen back as Anakin in some Disney Plus shows as well as Bo-Katan Kryze making a live-action debut.
All that said, I don’t trust Lucasfilm and Disney to do Kestis justice other than a cameo to reward fans. I think it’s because he’s so well done in the games that I don’t want a tainted view in any way.
That’s not say there isn’t a way to bring Kestis to other media. He would be great for any of Marvel’s Star Wars comic series. I’d also be open to seeing him if there was a compelling narrative that built on what was done in the games.
There are many instance where certain characters stay in their corner of the galaxy and don’t interact with much else.
Doctor Aphra is a comic character that has yet to make the leap to live action. This has added to her character as it allows the comic writers to flesh her out without worrying about what is being done in a show or movie.
This would also be true of Kestis. He lives in his own pocket of the larger Star Wars narrative, adding to the overall story while still sticking to his adventures.
Adding in a live-action adaption, or any other for that matter, would add constraints to his story for a rumored third game. Cal and company need to breathe on their own.
Again, I am not opposed a new adaptation as long as it’s beneficial and doesn’t saturate character. I do think, however, that Cal needs to remain in his lane so we can keep getting the best version of him.
Still, it would be fun to see him interact with others from the galaxy, but taking time to restrain from cheap fan service will make the story more enjoyable for all.
What about you? Do you think Cal Kestis should get a live-action adaptation? Why or why not? How would you bring him into the larger narrative? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.
Featured Image: Electronic Arts (via Collider)
Boss Rush Podcast – A Podcast about Video Games
The Boss Rush Podcast – A Podcast about Video Games – is the flagship show of the Boss Rush Network and Boss Rush Media. Each week, hosts Corey Dirrig and LeRon Dawkins are joined by friends, fellow creators, indie developers, and industry veterans to discuss the latest in the world of video games, including news, rumors, new releases, and what they’ve been playing. They also answer listener questions, debate important industry topics and Boss Rush Banter discussion points, and feature a rotating weekly segment. New episodes post every Monday.
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