It's theoretically possible that Kylo Ren created Supreme Leader Snoke as a Force projection in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Ever since Snoke appeared in J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: The Force Awakens, fans have been wondering just who the new Star Wars villain was.
Among the many long-held fan theories is that Snoke is either Darth Plagueis or Emperor Palpatine reincarnated. While both theories have their validity on some level, it doesn't seem like either is truly the case here. Furthermore, just like the Emperor in the original Star Wars trilogy, Snoke's background is meant to remain mysterious; therefore, it won't be explored in great detail in Disney's Star Wars sequel trilogy.
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The thing is, no one really knows much about Snoke's past; his impressive Force powers remain unexplained, just like ties to the Skywalker family. All that's been truly revealed about Snoke is that he was the leader of the First Order, Kylo Ren's master and teacher, and that he knew the dark side of the Force. Star Wars: The Last Jedi could've ended speculation about Snoke's past and knowledge, but it didn't. However, what if it wasn’t just that Snoke created Kylo Ren (out of Ben Solo), but rather Kylo Ren created Snoke?
- This Page: Snoke Is (And Was Created By) Kylo Ren
- Next Page: What Snoke's Death Means For Kylo Ren's Future
Was Snoke A Force Projection Created By Kylo?
Reddit user YAFilms postulated that Snoke is possibly a creation of Kylo Ren's, and it's a valid theory considering the sheer, raw power of the Skywalker family as well as Ben Solo's troubling history. Though it's likely that Kylo himself didn't know what he was doing. Rather, creating Snoke was an accident; a manifestation of the incredible power (and conflict) that lay within him.
It's been said in the Star Wars movies before that studying the dark side of the Force (particularly becoming a Sith) is a path to strange and unnatural abilities - abilities that the light side of the Force doesn't necessarily allow for. Examples include manipulation of midichlorians, Darkshear (a spear of midnight black called from the dark side), and torturing victims by using their own memories. Those with the desire and power can even use the dark side to control life and death itself. On top of that, we know that people who are strong in the Force can project themselves, even after death. This has been a part of Star Wars movies for years, and Luke even managed to change his appearance when he did it in The Last Jedi.
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Given how unusually powerful Ben Solo was in the Force, and given Snoke was able to seduce him to the dark side, it’s possible that Ben was both so powerful and so conflicted that, unbeknownst even to himself, he created Supreme Leader Snoke out of the Force. Snoke then turned him into Kylo Ren, thus achieving something the young Ben Solo wanted but wasn’t able to do on his own, especially with Luke Skywalker watching over him.
The Evidence Snoke Is Really Kylo Ren
Even after the releases of both The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, Supreme Leader Snoke remains a mystery. Rian Johnson previously explained why Snoke's backstory isn't explored in The Last Jedi, but the writer-director's reasoning might be a misdirect. Snoke is a shadowy figure, and it's possible he has deliberately obfuscated detail about himself, or it could be because he’s a work of Kylo Ren’s subconscious. In The Force Awakens, in particular, there is something decidedly off about Snoke. He appears only as a hologram, and is confined to a single location.
The only people he interacts with are General Hux and Kylo Ren himself. He knows a lot about Kylo Ren, which would fit with being his mentor, but it would equally make sense if he’s a product of Kylo’s mind. The only other references to him are vague as well: "Snoke did this," "It was Snoke," etc. He doesn’t sound like someone people have had much contact with, or much like a real person at all. The way it's revealed that Ben Solo was seduced by Snoke is similar to how audiences first hear Obi-Wan say Darth Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force.
More than that, however, is how it fits with what's known about Kylo Ren. Throughout the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Kylo Ren has been obsessed with his past, despite wanting to let it die. A significant part of his obsession revolves around Darth Vader. And if he wants to be the new Vader, then that means he would also need an Empire (like the First Order) and an Emperor (Snoke). Plus, there’s a history of Star Wars villains masquerading as other people. Emperor Palpatine was really Darth Sidious; Darth Vader was really Anakin Skywalker. This trilogy doesn’t have one, which is odd for a saga where everything rhymes and history repeats itself. Unless, that is, Snoke is (part of) Kylo Ren.
Page 2 of 2: What Snoke's Death Means For Kylo Ren's Future
What Snoke's "Death" Would Really Mean
If Snoke really was a projection from Kylo Ren, then his death in The Last Jedi would feel quite different. As it currently stands, it’s a student turning against his master (as the Sith are known to do, even though Snoke and Kylo Ren aren't Sith). It was, in at least part of his mind, a chance for Kylo Ren and Rey to be together. That still holds true, but with even bigger implications if this was Kylo Ren destroying the projection.
The Reddit theory suggests that the link between Kylo Ren and Rey was created by Kylo-as-Snoke because he became obsessed with her. He then killed Snoke to move on from him, and to his new obsession. That idea fits with how much Kylo has been perceived as a petulant child figure.
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It would also mean that this wasn’t an act that arose out of being conflicted. Kylo Ren isn't torn between the light and dark; by killing off this part of his subconscious, he’s saying that he doesn’t need to rely on false projections anymore. That existed to give him the strength to turn to the dark side. He's now fully consumed by it, after having killed his father in The Force Awakens and his false master in The Last Jedi - and then turning on his former master once again. The conflict within him has long defined Kylo Ren; killing Snoke releases him of that.
What Snoke As A Force Projection Would Mean For Star Wars 9
Heading into Star Wars: Episode IX, a huge question mark lies over Kylo Ren’s fate. Is he going to die as Kylo Ren? Or can he be redeemed as Ben Solo? If this theory holds true, then it gives Star Wars fans a better indication of his state of mind, and whether or not there’s any hope of him being brought back to the light.
Snoke being a Force projection of Kylo Ren's would, on a basic level, make Kylo more powerful than anyone suspected. This is the kind of power displayed by Jedi Master Luke (in his prime). Kylo using it, even without fully realizing what he's doing, would perhaps be even more impressive. It’d also fit with the rumors of Snoke returning in Star Wars: Episode IX. It’d be a huge stretch for him to come back from the dead - it's unclear if he'll show up as a Force ghost - but if he was a projection created by Kylo, then he could absolutely appear again.
Kylo Ren's hope for being redeemed would also be removed. That hope was there because Ben Solo didn't want to succumb to the dark side, but Snoke seduced him. That excuse vanishes if this theory holds true. Snoke didn’t turn Ben; Ben turned Ben. In killing Snoke, he’s doing what even Vader couldn't do, at least not right away. With this, Kylo Ren becomes the true villain of the Star Wars sequel trilogy - and that might just mean he has to die in Star Wars: Episode IX. Abrams’ movie is ending the Skywalker Saga, which suggests that something major needs to happen with Kylo Ren. A straight redemption would too closely mirror Return of the Jedi. This is both a more fascinating and, ultimately, rather tragic conclusion for Kylo Ren.
