The character's likeness and voice were provided by Samuel Witwer, who would later voice Darth Maul in Star Wars expanded media.
The character's name is taken from Luke Skywalker's original name, 'Luke Starkiller'.
His annihilative nature gains him the description of a 'Force wrecking ball'. Given the Sith name 'Starkiller' for his unmatched potency with the Force, Marek is used for destructive purposes. The son of a fugitive Jedi, Marek is kidnapped, raised, and apprenticed by Darth Vader after the death of his father at Vader's hands. Starkiller, born Galen Marek and also known as The Apprentice, is the fictional protagonist of the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video games and literature, part of the Star Wars expanded (Legends) universe.