One key Star Wars movies and TV shows. The original trilogy confirmed that Master Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker had all become Force Ghosts, and Star Wars has since added Qui-Gon Jinn, Luke Skywalker, and Leia Organa to that list.

Controversially, Return of the Jedi adjusted Anakin Skywalker's Force Ghost so that he was portrayed by Hayden Christensen. Despite the controversy, it's clear that Star Wars is running with that concept. After appearing in the Ahsoka finale. One key aspect of this scene has completely redefined Force Ghosts, though, which has fascinating implications for Star Wars' future.

Sabine Proved You Don't Need A Personal Connection To Sense A Force Ghost

Sabine Was Able To Sense Anakin On Peridea

At the very end of Ahsoka, as Sabine Wren and Ahsoka Tano accept that they are now trapped on Peridea, Sabine senses something in the Force. Although Sabine is not sure what it is, Ahsoka steps forward and smiles, and it is then confirmed to be Anakin Skywalker as a Force Ghost. What made this scene particularly shocking is Sabine Wren was able to sense Anakin Skywalker's Force Ghost despite having no personal connection to Anakin.

This is the first time in Star Wars that this has happened. Luke was able to see Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Yoda, all of whom he shared a direct relationship with. Obi-Wan was likewise able to see Qui-Gon Jinn in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda was able to see Qui-Gon in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and Rey was able to see Luke and Leia on Tatooine in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. To date, Sabine sensing Anakin is the very first example of someone sensing a Force Ghost to whom they have no connection.

Sabine sensing Anakin is the very first example of someone sensing a Force Ghost to whom they have no connection.

Why Could Sabine Sense Anakin... When Obi-Wan Struggled To Sense Qui-Gon?

Obi-Wan Struggled To Connect With Qui-Gon Until The End Of Obi-Wan Kenobi

One of the subplots of Obi-Wan Kenobi is Obi-Wan's inability to connect with his former master, Qui-Gon Jinn. This comes as a bit of a shock, because 10 years had ed since Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, and it was in that movie that Yoda informed Obi-Wan of this training he intended Obi-Wan to have (presumably, how to become a Force Ghost himself once he died). Despite his best efforts, throughout that decade, Obi-Wan never managed to make with Qui-Gon's Force Ghost.

Obi-Wan cut himself off from the Force to hide from the Empire, so that may explain why he was unable to connect until the Obi-Wan Kenobi ending, whereas Sabine was able to sense Anakin without any effort. That still feels quite odd, though, as Sabine was confirmed to be very minimally Force sensitive in Ahsoka and wasn't trying to connect with Anakin at all. Even with Obi-Wan's diminished connection to the Force, surely he was tapping into the Force to attempt making with Qui-Gon. Nevertheless, he was unable to do so until after he had gone on this journey.

Rey Can Learn From ALL The Force Ghosts, Not Just Luke & Leia

This Opens Up A Number Of Opportunities For Star Wars' Future

This update to how Force Ghosts work in Star Wars could have massive implications moving forward, especially when it comes to Rey's Star Wars movie, rumored to be titled Star Wars: New Jedi Order. If Sabine could sense Anakin without having any connection to him, then Rey could theoretically connect with any number of Force Ghosts. This could mean Rey receiving guidance from Obi-Wan, Yoda, or Qui-Gon Jinn (or anyone else who became a Force Ghost, perhaps including Jedi who have yet to appear on screen).

This update to how Force Ghosts work in Star Wars could have massive implications moving forward.

This guidance would be particularly useful if the rumored title is indeed the title of Rey's movie, heavily hinting she will be establishing her own Jedi Order. It's also clear that actors for many of these characters are open to coming back, making this even more feasible. This would also be one way for Rey's movie to feel more connected to all that came before, including what came before the sequels, which may win some audiences over even with so much negativity still surrounding the sequels.

It remains to be seen whether this will become a pattern or if Sabine's ability to sense Anakin was a one-off. Hopefully, Star Wars will continue to play with this idea, as it opens up a host of exciting possibilities moving forward. This one Sabine Wren moment from Ahsoka may have truly changed Force Ghosts in Star Wars, the implications of which may only be beginning.