Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi might have created an opportunity to bring Darth Vader's apprentice, Starkiller, into the Star Wars canon once again. Debuting in the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video game, Galen Marek, aka Starkiller, becomes Vader's apprentice as the Sith Lord hunts the remaining Jedi following Order 66. Vader's intention was to create an apprentice he could use against Palpatine, but along the way, Marek ends up betrayed by Vader and helps create the Rebel Alliance.
Starkiller became an immediate fan-favorite character but ended up being struck from canon when Disney reset the expanded canon to make room for its new continuity. Years later, Dave Filoni, while working on Star Wars Rebels, considered bringing Starkiller back, only to shy away from the idea. However, while Star Wars Rebels' story wasn't a good fit for Starkiller, Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi might be the ideal place for him to return.
FILONI'S PLAN FOR STARKILLER
Filoni's plan to bring Starkiller back in Star Wars Rebels was revealed during a Twitch stream run by the character's actor, Sam Witwer, back in 2017. "Dave [Filoni] did share with me, by the way, he considered making Starkiller an Inquisitor in Star Wars Rebels," Witwer explained. "It didn't quite fit the story they were telling, but he did think about it because he thought that would be interesting."
Filoni's intention was to re-adapt Starkiller into one of Empire's elite Jedi hunters, but it's unclear how his relationship with Vader would've changed. It is possible that even as an Inquisitor, Starkiller might have seen Vader as a mentor, especially since the Sith Lord led the group, ranking even above the Grand Inquisitor. In that scenario, Starkiller could have followed a similar arc, being a vicious Jedi hunter who ultimately turns to support the Rebellion after being betrayed.
STARKILLER IN OBI-WAN KENOBI
With Hayden Christiansen reprising his role as Darth Vader, Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi is the perfect place for the Sith Lord to bring the Inquisitors to live-action. The Disney+ series takes place roughly ten years after Revenge of the Sith, meaning it would take place around 9 BBY. By this point, the Inquisitors had attempted to track down and slay Ahsoka Tano, an event told in the novel Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston. With the Jedi hunters already after prominent Force users, it would make sense that Inquisitors might serve as a primary threat to Obi-Wan.
Filoni and Co. could opt to implement their plan and have Starkiller be the Inquisitor hot on Obi-Wan's trail, pursuing every lead in order to impress his mentor. In that way, Vader's most iconic pupil could be the link necessary to bring Obi-Wan and Vader together again for their epic rematch, giving him another opportunity to be a major part of canon.
Unfortunately, this scenario could result in a tragic fall for Starkiller, who, torn between allegiances, may end up aiding the young Rebellion at the cost of his own life. This would add a great tragic element to Obi-Wan Kenobi and add to the greater Star Wars lore, all while bringing back an iconic fan-favorite character.