
Over nearly two decades, Star Wars has flourished, introducing countless new elements to its vast and ever-expanding galaxy. From new films and TV series to comics, video games, and novels, the franchise has developed an intricate web of stories and characters.
At the center of one of the most heartbreaking moments in the Star Wars saga is Order 66, where the galaxy’s heroic Jedi were ruthlessly hunted down. While Order 66, executed by the cunning Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), was meant to extinguish the Jedi Order, fans have witnessed the survival of several Jedi through various new media additions.
Now, the Star Wars canon has confirmed how some Jedi were able to survive this purge and defy Palpatine’s sinister plans.
For those unfamiliar, Order 66 was a galactic-wide command that led clone troopers to turn on their Jedi generals. Orchestrated by Emperor Palpatine (revealed to be Darth Sidious), this order signaled the end of the Clone Wars and the beginning of the Galactic Empire’s reign.
It also coincided with the tragic fall of Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), who embraced the dark side, becoming Darth Vader and aiding in the slaughter of Jedi at the Jedi Temple. The infamous Order saw the deaths of numerous Jedi across the galaxy, including fan favorites such as Aayla Secura, Plo Koon, and Ki-Adi Mundi.
However, fans of Star Wars have long known that not every Jedi fell victim to this catastrophic event. From the original trilogy, viewers were aware that Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Jedi Master Yoda survived, continuing to play pivotal roles in the downfall of the Empire and the training of the real Chosen One, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).
But as the franchise expanded, more Jedi began to emerge as survivors of the deadly event, adding complexity to Order 66’s legacy.
One of the earliest survivor stories introduced was that of Kanan Jarrus (voiced by Freddie Prinze Jr.), who was once known as Caleb Dume. His escape from Order 66 was explored in Star Wars Rebels and further expanded in The Bad Batch, which revealed his escape as a young Padawan.
Then, there’s Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein), Anakin Skywalker’s former apprentice, whose survival after the Clone Wars was explored in Rebels, where she took on the role of the mysterious operative Fulcrum.
Another survivor fans have grown to love is Cal Kestis, the central character in the video game “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” and its sequel “Survivor.” Cal’s journey as a Jedi-in-hiding thrust into action following Order 66 offered an exciting expansion to the franchise.
Alongside him, there’s Jedi archivist Jocasta Nu, who made a brief appearance in Star Wars: Episode II–Attack of the Clones (2002) before reappearing in the “Darth Vader” comic series.

Beyond these characters, a darker twist in the aftermath of Order 66 lies in the rise of the Inquisitors. These were former Jedi who, under the sway of the dark side, became enforcers of the Empire, tasked with hunting down their former allies. Led by Darth Vader, the Inquisitors served as a grim reminder that not every Jedi who survived did so with their morality intact.
But perhaps the most heartwarming and surprising survivor of Order 66 is Grogu, affectionately known to fans as “Baby Yoda.” First appearing in The Mandalorian on Disney+, Grogu quickly became a fan favorite, and his mysterious past intrigued viewers.
Season Three of The Mandalorian finally revealed how Grogu escaped the temple during the assault by Anakin Skywalker and the clone troopers. His escape was aided by Jedi Knight Kelleran Beq (played by Star Wars veteran Ahmed Best, known for portraying Jar Jar Binks), marking a poignant moment in Grogu’s backstory.
These stories of survival, while scattered across various Star Wars media, all converge on the underlying question: how did so many Jedi manage to escape Palpatine’s ruthless grip?
The answer, it seems, has finally been provided. In the newly released book “Star Wars: The Secrets of the Clone Troopers” (2024), written by Marc Sumerak, a clearer explanation emerges. Written from the perspective of Captain Rex—a beloved clone trooper from The Clone Wars—the book explains that not every clone trooper was entirely controlled by the inhibitor chips placed in their heads.
As Captain Rex recounts, “Some, like my friends in Clone Force 99, were less susceptible to the chip’s influence due to their genetic augmentations. Others were simply strong enough to resist, at least until their Jedi general could escape.” This provides a crucial insight into how certain Jedi had the chance to survive the massacre.
While the majority of clones followed Palpatine’s orders without question, there were those, like Rex himself, who fought back. Though Rex ultimately succumbed to the chip’s control, his brief resistance gave Ahsoka Tano the time she needed to realize what was happening and remove his chip, saving both their lives.
This new layer of storytelling adds even more depth to the tragic events of Order 66. As Screen Rant pointed out, skilled and powerful Jedi only needed a brief moment of awareness to save their own lives and Rex most certainly fell into that bucket of clones who managed to pause just long enough so their allies could escape.
These moments of defiance, whether through luck, skill, or the aid of others, allowed several Jedi to evade death, ensuring that the light of the Jedi Order was not entirely extinguished.
Marc Sumerak, who has written extensively within the Star Wars universe, previously penned “Star Wars: The Secrets of the Sith” (2021), which delved into the origins of Supreme Leader Snoke from Disney’s sequel trilogy. Now, with “The Secrets of the Clone Troopers,” Sumerak provides fans with yet another vital puzzle piece in understanding how the galaxy far, far away operates.
In the end, these additions to the Star Wars saga only serve to enrich its already vast mythos. From the earliest days of Order 66 to the latest revelations about surviving Jedi, Star Wars continues to prove that its story is far from over. As the galaxy’s legacy grows, one thing is clear—hope always finds a way to survive.
How do you feel about this new explanation for Order 66? Let us know in the comments below!