Owen Lars, portrayed by Joel Edgerton in the prequels and by Phil Brown in the original trilogy, is often viewed as a simple moisture farmer in Star Wars. Yet, his role is far more significant than it first appears. Owen is not just Luke Skywalker’s uncle—he is the man who shaped Luke’s early life, protecting him from the dangers of the galaxy and ultimately enabling the rise of a Jedi Knight. Owen’s decisions, though sometimes misunderstood, were driven by a deep sense of duty and love, and without him, Luke’s story might have unfolded very differently.
Humble Beginnings: Owen Lars’ Family and Ties to the Skywalkers
Owen Lars was born into the rough and arid life of a moisture farmer on Tatooine. His father, Cliegg Lars, was a widower struggling to make ends meet on their family’s moisture farm. When Cliegg married Shmi Skywalker, Owen’s life became linked to the Skywalker family—though at the time, this connection seemed insignificant. Shmi was the mother of Anakin Skywalker, a boy born into slavery but destined to become one of the most important figures in galactic history.
Anakin returned to Tatooine as a Jedi in Attack of the Clones after having dreams of his mother in peril. It was Owen and his father, Cliegg, who informed Anakin that Shmi had been kidnapped by Tusken Raiders. Anakin’s subsequent slaughter of the Tusken village after Shmi’s death marked one of the earliest signs of his fall to the dark side. Owen, though only a stepbrother by marriage, saw firsthand the destructive potential of Anakin’s power.
It was Owen’s exposure to Anakin’s fall that profoundly affected his view of the Jedi, the Force, and the dangers that awaited anyone drawn into the larger conflict of the galaxy. While this moment may seem like a small part of Owen’s life, it would have lasting repercussions on his relationship with Luke Skywalker years later.
The Protector: Owen’s Role in Luke Skywalker’s Upbringing
After the events of Revenge of the Sith, the galaxy fell under the control of Emperor Palpatine and his new Galactic Empire. Anakin Skywalker had fully transformed into Darth Vader, and the Jedi were nearly exterminated. Amid this chaos, Obi-Wan Kenobi made a crucial decision that would shape the future of the galaxy—he brought the infant Luke Skywalker to Tatooine and placed him in the care of Owen and Beru Lars. This was no small task. Owen and Beru were fully aware that Luke was the son of the very man who had become one of the most feared figures in the galaxy. Taking Luke in meant carrying a tremendous burden and placing themselves in potential danger.
Owen’s decision to accept Luke into his home was not just an act of familial obligation. It was an act of incredible bravery. By agreeing to raise Luke, Owen committed to protecting the boy from the dark forces that would eventually seek him out. He understood the significance of Luke’s lineage and the danger it posed, but instead of turning Luke away, he embraced the challenge of keeping him safe. In many ways, Owen’s decision to take in Luke was one of the most heroic acts in the saga—he chose to shelter the future of the galaxy, even if it meant sacrificing his own safety.
Owen’s Motivations: Fear, Love, and Responsibility
Owen Lars is often portrayed as a stern, overprotective figure in Luke’s life, but his actions are rooted in deep concern. Having witnessed the downfall of Anakin Skywalker, Owen knew all too well what could happen if Luke was drawn into the same path. This fear is what drove him to keep Luke grounded, discouraging any dreams of leaving Tatooine or pursuing adventure in the galaxy.
Owen’s relationship with Obi-Wan Kenobi also highlights his protective instincts. While Obi-Wan intended to keep an eye on Luke from afar, Owen saw the Jedi as a threat to the boy’s safety. To Owen, Obi-Wan represented the old world of the Jedi—the world that had failed Anakin and led him to become Darth Vader. Owen had no interest in the Force or the grand conflict between the Jedi and the Sith; his only concern was keeping Luke safe and hidden. He believed that the best way to do this was to keep Luke unaware of his true heritage and shield him from the dangerous influences of the wider galaxy.
When Luke expressed a desire to leave Tatooine and join the Imperial Academy, Owen resisted. This wasn’t because he wanted to control Luke’s life or deny him his dreams, but because he feared for Luke’s safety. He knew that once Luke left the safety of the farm, the truth of his identity could be exposed, and that exposure would put him directly in the path of the Empire and Darth Vader. Owen’s strictness was born from love and a desire to protect Luke from the fate that had befallen his father.
The Strained Relationship with Obi-Wan Kenobi
Owen’s tension with Obi-Wan Kenobi is a defining aspect of his character. While Obi-Wan saw himself as a guardian of Luke, Owen viewed him as a threat. To Owen, Obi-Wan’s very presence on Tatooine brought danger to Luke, and he made it clear that he wanted Obi-Wan to stay away from the boy.
This tension is especially evident when Obi-Wan attempts to keep a close eye on Luke. Owen repeatedly warns the Jedi to keep his distance, fearing that any involvement with Obi-Wan would lead Luke down the same path as Anakin. Owen’s mistrust of Obi-Wan is rooted in his belief that the Jedi lifestyle is what destroyed Anakin. He saw Obi-Wan’s desire to train or watch over Luke as a potential catalyst for the boy to follow his father’s dangerous legacy. For Owen, the key to protecting Luke was to keep him isolated from the influence of the Jedi and the Force, ensuring that he lived a simple, quiet life on the moisture farm.
Owen’s fear of losing Luke to the same fate that claimed Anakin is the driving force behind his conflict with Obi-Wan. In Owen’s mind, Luke’s safety lies in ignorance. The less Luke knows about his true identity, the safer he is. This belief puts him at odds with Obi-Wan, who feels a deep responsibility to guide Luke toward his destiny as a Jedi. Owen’s love for Luke, combined with his fear of the dangers the boy could face, creates a powerful tension between the two men.
Owen’s Sacrifice and Lasting Legacy
One of the most poignant moments in A New Hope is the discovery of Owen and Beru’s burned bodies after they are killed by stormtroopers searching for the stolen Death Star plans. Their deaths mark a turning point in Luke’s life, propelling him to leave Tatooine and embrace his destiny as a Jedi. Though Owen’s life was cut short, his legacy lived on through Luke.
Owen’s sacrifice is often overlooked, but it was his efforts to protect and raise Luke that ultimately ensured the boy’s survival long enough to fulfill his role as the galaxy’s savior. Had Owen not been as vigilant or protective, Luke might have been discovered by the Empire much sooner, and the fate of the galaxy might have been very different. Owen’s influence on Luke—though subtle—is profound. He taught Luke the values of hard work, humility, and responsibility, qualities that would serve Luke well as he navigated the challenges of becoming a Jedi and confronting his father.
In many ways, Owen Lars represents the unsung hero of the Star Wars saga. He wasn’t a warrior or a Jedi, but his role in shaping the future of the galaxy was just as important. By keeping Luke safe and grounded, Owen enabled the rise of the very hero who would bring balance to the Force.
The True Hidden Hero
Owen Lars may not have wielded a lightsaber or commanded the Force, but his actions had a lasting impact on the fate of the galaxy. His decision to take in Luke, protect him, and raise him as his own was an act of immense bravery. Owen’s life was defined by his desire to shield Luke from the darkness that had claimed Anakin Skywalker, and his protective instincts, though sometimes misunderstood, were rooted in love and responsibility.
Owen Lars is a reminder that heroism in Star Wars doesn’t always come from grand acts of valor or supernatural powers. Sometimes, it comes from the quiet, everyday sacrifices made by those who seek to protect the ones they love. Without Owen, Luke Skywalker might never have had the chance to become the Jedi Knight who would restore peace to the galaxy.
