The Whills were a community of beings who notably wrote the Journal of the Whills,[2] a document that recorded important events in the galaxy,[1] as well as philosophical reflections in verse.[3] There were shamans among them, one of whom taught the Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn that the ability to retain one's consciousness after death required absolute selflessness.[4]
The moon of Jedha was home to a Force-worshipping monastic order called the Guardians of the Whills. One of Jedha's most sacred places, the Temple of the Kyber,[5] was also known as the Temple of the Whills.[6]
Behind the scenes[]
- "The midi-chlorians are the ones that communicate with the Whills. The Whills, in a general sense, they are the Force."
- ―George Lucas
Star Wars creator George Lucas intended the Whills to be microscopic single-celled life forms who were essentially God[7]—the will of the Force.[8] Maintaining a symbiotic relationship with the midi-chlorians, the Whills fed off the Force and controlled the universe, offering destinies[7] to sentients such as Anakin Skywalker, who was destined to be the Chosen One of the Force. He would act as the tool by which balance was restored to the Force—restoring balance and harmony to all of life by destroying those who violated and would continue violating the symbiosis of life: users of the corruptive, addictive dark side.[9] Individuals were controlled by the Force's will, yet they had free will; all had a destiny if they wanted to follow it.[8] The midi-chlorians were in turn symbionts with all of life: the midi-chlorians lived in every cell of every living thing, and communicated to living beings the will of the Whills—the will of the Force.[10]
George Lucas' concept of the Whills aligns with the canon concept of the will of the Force, which was held by the Cosmic Force.[11] Lucas said that, had he held on to Lucasfilm Ltd. instead of selling it to The Walt Disney Company in 2012, the sequel trilogy would have featured the microbiotic world of the Whills.[7]
Appearances[]
- "Reflection Day" — Life Day Treasury (Mentioned only)
- Aftermath: Empire's End (and audiobook) (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens novelization (and audiobook) (Indirect mention only)
- "Whills" — From a Certain Point of View (and audiobook) (First appearance)
- "The Whills Strike Back" — From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back (and audiobook)
- "Return of the Whills" — From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi (and audiobook)
Sources[]
- Qui-Gon Jinn in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link) (First mentioned)
- Qui-Gon Jinn in the Databank (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Whills" — From a Certain Point of View
- ↑ Star Wars: The Force Awakens novelization
- ↑ Aftermath: Empire's End
- ↑ Qui-Gon Jinn Biography Gallery in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide
- ↑ Star Wars: Galactic Atlas
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Star Wars Episode V: George Lucas On The Force)
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
- ↑ The Force in the Databank (backup link)