The Guardians of the Whills, like most Force-based cultures, are a mysterious ancient order in Star Wars. However, they are different from the Light Side Jedi in many ways. In addition to using lightbows instead of lightsabers, the Guardians of the Whills also have a certain perspective on the Force that cultivates a sense of oneness, rather than the polarity of Jedi and Sith.
The status of the Guardians of the Whills' existence, however, is unknown since the deaths of Chirrut and Baze. It's possible that there are still some Guardians on Jedha or elsewhere. The shroud of mystery surrounding this ancient religious sect of Force-users is intriguing. Although much of their existence was based on protecting a temple, two of these spiritual Force-sensitives resurfaced in Rogue One to illustrate how formidable the Guardians of the Whills can be in Star Wars.
Star Wars' Guardians Of The Whills
Founded on the planet Jedha, the Guardians of the Whills is an ancient monastic order and religion consisting of shamanic Force-sensitives. While their philosophy and understanding of the Force is similar to Jedi in some ways, the Guardians do not use the same Force techniques or fighting styles developed by the Jedi and Sith. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story debuted the Guardians of the Whills onscreen with Chirrut Îmwe and Baze Malbus as members of the Rebellion. They were described as an obsolete order which once charged themselves with protecting the Kyber Temple on Jedha. The story behind the name of the Guardians, however, goes back further than Rogue One.
The term "Whills" predates "the Force", and was initially used in early drafts of Star Wars treatments to describe an immortal watcher narrating the story. George Lucas later abandoned that idea for what would become the Force, and the tale of the Jedi and Sith in A New Hope. In James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction, George Lucas talks about another alternative rendition of the Whills. Before selling Lucasfilm to Disney, he planned another trilogy that would feature the Whills as powerful microorganisms that could feed on the Force and use it to influence the universe.
These may seem like high-fantasy elements within the science fiction Star Wars universe, but the addition of The Force Gods may be an amalgamation of these ideas as well. The Force Gods, powerful Force-users residing outside time and space, are also galaxy-observing immortals who are so deeply connected to the Force that they can affect it throughout the universe. The Guardians of the Whills are similar in respect to this deep connection. The mantra of the Guardians is suggestive of their intimate connection to the Force:
The Force is with me. And I am one with the Force. I fear nothing, because all is as the Force wills it.
This mantra differs from the Jedi's salutation, "May the Force be with you." Rather, the Guardians' mantra is an assertive declaration that the Force is with the Guardians, as opposed to wishing it to be with them as the Jedi hope. The distinction is subtle but profound as it could be indicative of the divergent paths of the Jedi and Guardians.
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Difference Between The Guardians Of The Whills & Jedi
While the Jedi choose to protect the innocent and serve as galactic peacekeepers with their use of the Force, the Guardians of the Whills chose to stay on Jedha and protect the people there. It could be that the Guardians' understanding of the Force made them indifferent to matters outside Jedha. This more detached stance is not foreign in Star Wars, considering Yoda's decision to retire to Dagobah after Order 66.
While many other Jedi chose to continue protecting people as discretely as they could, Yoda made the decision to remain hidden and live peacefully as the Empire conquerored the galaxy. To further exemplify this, the graphic novel Star Wars: Crimson Reign revealed that Yoda could have joined the Rebellion with Qi'ra, but chose not to reveal himself. Yoda may have finally understood what the Guardians knew all along: whatever happens is as the Force wills it. Thus, he chose to remain on Dagobah and help those within his immediate domain there, such as Luke Skywalker.
Unlike the Jedi, the Guardians perceived the Force on a sensory level. They endeavored to listen to the Force, to understand its will to know which actions to take. Among the Jedi, the Force is primarily used as a source of power. Whatever secrets of the Force the Guardians were able to obtain for themselves, they seldom shared with others.
In cut dialogue from Qui-Gon Jinn in Revenge of the Sith the Jedi Master tells Yoda how he learned the secret of immortality from the Whills. This may hint at George Lucas' insistence of initially painting the Whills more prominently, as well as being more knowledgeable about the Force than the Jedi. Unfortunately, their minimized presence in Star Wars undermines their potential and value to the franchise.
The lingering mystery of the ancient order of the Whills brings more opportunity for Star Wars to expand upon its culture and any remaining members in the galaxy. The potential to include more diverse Force-using cultures is always welcomed. But the Guardians in particular could play a vital role in expanding the lore onscreen, since their members kept extensive galactic records. This could, for example, make them a valuable resource for Ahsoka or Baylan Skoll on their quests to learn more about the World Between Worlds, or The Force Gods.
After the destruction of their temple, the Guardians of the Whills have to find a new purpose. Hopefully, this can give them a significant role, on even footing with the Jedi in Star Wars.
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