Star Wars: Episode IX has a lot to tackle. It is not only the final movie in the sequel trilogy, but also the end of the entire Skywalker saga.
Naturally, countless rumors already surround the movie. Rather than taking a look at the craziest theories, we want to take a look at theories that seem plausible.
Many of these theories address how Leia's story will be handled due to Carrie Fisher's tragic passing. Director J.J. Abrams announced that Leia will appear via unused footage from The Force Awakens.
Carrie Fisher's brother Todd Fisher reportedly said footage will be used from The Last Jedi as well. While it's wonderful to know that through this footage fans will be able to see Carrie Fisher as Leia one last time, it still leaves the door fairly wide open for what her fate will be in Episode IX.
Of course, there are many other plausible and fascinating theories that aren't just focused on Leia. There are compelling ideas about how the movie will handle the ongoing development of Rey, Kylo Ren, and their relationship.
Fans are still reveling in the news that Billy Dee Williams will reprise the role of Lando Calrissian, leading to different ideas about how he will brought into the sequel trilogy.
There's also speculation about certain characters receiving larger roles, how the war between the Resistance and First Order will continue to unfold, the return of some iconic Force ghosts, and many other elements that will provide a satisfying and full-circle conclusion to the Skywalker saga.
Let the Force flow through you as we explore the 25 Star Wars Episode IX Theories (That Make Too Much Sense).
Rey Will Build A Double-Sided Lightsaber
After Rey's iconic lightsaber broke in two during The Last Jedi, she is in need of a new one for Episode IX. A popular theory is that Rey will build herself a double-sided lightsaber using the kyber crystal and broken pieces from her old one.
A double-sided lightsaber is a perfect progression from a staff, her weapon of choice before she ever picked up a lightsaber. It fuses the weapon of her past with her future as a Jedi.
Rey also happens to possess the sacred Jedi texts, which surely contain helpful information on how to build a lightsaber.
Being a talented mechanic will also come in handy as she constructs her new weapon.
Kylo Ren Will Replace Stormtroopers With A Clone Army
After Finn's defection in The Force Awakens, Kylo Ren asserted during a heated conversation with General Hux that Supreme Leader Snoke and the First Order would be better served by a clone army than by Stormtroopers.
Their inability to capture BB-8 on Jakku and Captain Phasma's failures on Starkiller Base and the Supremacy will have done nothing to change Kylo's mind about the First Order's soldiers.
Now that Kylo is the Supreme Leader, he can make his wish come true by replacing the Stormtroopers with clones.
A significant enough time jump between The Last Jedi and Episode IX could allow the Stormtroopers to be phased out and completely replaced by clones, the opposite of the Empire's quick transition from clones to Stormtroopers after Revenge of the Sith.
Leia Is Slowly Perishing From Her Time In Space
The Poe Dameron comics have caught up to the current timeline of the sequel trilogy, even showing Leia and the other Resistance survivors aboard the Millennium Falcon directly following The Last Jedi.
The issue Poe Dameron #27 depicts Leia as physically much weaker than in The Last Jedi, possibly hinting she didn't recover as well as we thought.
This has led to the theory that Leia's body is slowly perishing because of the exposure it received while in space.
The Force allowed Leia to return to the Raddus, but it can't change the fact that Leia was in space for too long.
The full effects may tragically lead to her demise by the opening of Episode IX, explaining why she will be absent beyond the unused footage.
C-3PO And R2-D2 Will Have Larger Roles
C-3PO and R2-D2 are part of the connective tissue that holds the Skywalker saga together. They have appeared in all eight films and will continue the tradition in Episode IX.
Unlike their consistent presence and contributions to the story in the original and prequel trilogies, though, the two droids have largely been relegated to the background in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
This should change with Episode IX as it is the culmination of the Skywalker saga. Not only do C-3PO and R2-D2 deserve bigger roles because of their legacy, but also for practical purposes.
Having lived through both the Clone Wars and Galactic Civil War, both droids can provide invaluable experience and knowledge in the Resistance's fight against the First Order.
General Hux Will Become The Main Antagonist
It's no secret that General Hux and Kylo Ren despise one another. Kylo made himself the First Order's Supreme Leader following Snoke's demise, but that'll change if Hux has his way.
Some fans are theorizing that Hux will perform a coup to remove Kylo from power, most likely through evidence that Kylo was the one who ended Snoke's life in the first place.
With the First Order's technology, resources, and soldiers under Hux's control, he would not only become the chief enemy of the Resistance, but also of the ousted Kylo Ren.
As the new Supreme Leader, Hux would become the main antagonist of Episode IX.
Lando Will Communicate With L3-37
One of Solo: A Star Wars Story's best reveals was that L3-37 became part of the Millennium Falcon.
The official Star Wars Twitter page confirmed that she is the ship's "most peculiar dialect" C-3PO communicates with in The Empire Strikes Back.
With Lando confirmed to be in Episode IX, it's inevitable that he will have a reunion with his beloved Millennium Falcon.
Now that we know L3-37 is part of the ship, it only makes sense that Lando will communicate with her when he steps aboard, a reunion that's sure to be both amusing and emotional.
Yoda And Rey Will Share A Scene Together
One of The Last Jedi's most popular scenes occurred between Luke Skywalker and Yoda's Force ghost.
The positive reception to Yoda's return has led to rumors that he will also appear in Episode IX, this time sharing a scene with Rey.
Yoda showed tremendous respect and admiration for Rey, asserting to Luke that the sacred Jedi texts "contained nothing that the girl Rey does not already possess."
This is high praise, especially considering the countless Force-sensitive students Yoda has taught over his many years.
Such an attitude whets the appetite for how Yoda's Force ghost would interact with Rey and what wisdom or lesson he'd impart to her.
Kylo Ren Will Fly The Millennium Falcon
Many fans want to see Kylo Ren redeemed in Episode IX and embrace his identity as Ben Solo.
There are many variations on how his redemption could occur, but one common element among "Bendemption" theories is that he will fly the Millennium Falcon.
Flying his father's ship alongside the likes of Rey, Chewbacca, or Lando -- who as a small child he adorably called "Uncle Wanwo" -- would beautifully represent how far he's come and that he's truly redefined himself as Ben Solo.
Flying solo could also be just as meaningful, especially if he does it for a positive reason that helps others.
Leia Will Be Forced Into Hiding
While Leia's demise seems like the most logical way to deal with her absence outside of archival footage in Episode IX, some fans are looking for another alternative.
One idea is that Leia's absence will be explained by the fact that Leia has to go into hiding.
Much like those who turned against Leia and no longer trusted her after discovering Darth Vader was her father in the novel Bloodline, the Resistance could have a difficult time rebuilding with the knowledge that the First Order is led by her son.
In order to avoid what many could view as an alarming conflict of interest, Leia could be forced into hiding so the Resistance can live on and win.
Richard E. Grant Will Play A Villain
Many fans hoped that new cast addition Richard E. Grant would play Grand Admiral Thrawn in Episode IX. Grant confirmed he's not playing Thrawn, but he could still play a villain.
Well-known for playing villainous characters in films and television shows including Logan and Dr. Who, Grant is well-suited to playing a member of the First Order, perhaps as an officer who can actually stand toe-to-toe with Supreme Leader Kylo Ren.
It would be even more intriguing, though, to see him as a First Order loyalist acting as a mole within the Resistance.
It's quite plausible considering how much rebuilding the Resistance needs to undertake, which could lead to an unwelcome individual wriggling into their ranks.
More Chewbacca
Some fans feel there hasn't been enough Chewbacca in the sequel trilogy. Rumors indicate that will change with everyone's favorite Wookie having a larger presence in Episode IX.
His past with Lando Calrissian may be the key to bringing Billy Dee Williams' popular character into the sequel trilogy.
Already trusted and well-liked by Rey and Finn, Chewbacca provides an essential link between the old and new generations.
Also, as of Episode IX Chewbacca will have appeared in all but two of the Skywalker saga movies. It seems only right to do his character justice in the culmination of the Skywalker saga.
Finn Will Recruit Defecting Stormtroopers For The Resistance
Part of what makes Finn's character so unique and fascinating is that he humanized the once faceless Stormtroopers.
His defection was an anomaly, but it could now become more common given the currently unstable nature of the First Order at the end of The Last Jedi.
Given his past and growing role within the Resistance, it would make sense for Finn to recruit defecting Stormtroopers to be part of the Resistance, offering them a chance at rehabilitation and to fight back against the people who made their lives so miserable in the first place.
Snoke's Other Apprentice Will Appear
The Star Wars Insider Magazine issue for The Last Jedi--an official publication of Lucasfilm--dropped a bombshell with the information that Supreme Leader Snoke has trained Kylo Ren and “at least one other apprentice."
If Snoke's other apprentice is still alive, they could certainly be formidable and shake things up in a big way during Episode IX.
Depending on their motives, Kylo could be ousted as the Supreme Leader of the First Order by Snoke's more powerful or "worthy" apprentice.
The apprentice could also team up with Rey and the Resistance in order to strike against Kylo Ren, the apprentice Snoke placed more faith in.
It's also just as possible that this other apprentice would be a wild card, unpredictable and a dangerous enemy for both the First Order and the Resistance.
Lando's Return Won't Be Heroic
The sequel trilogy has portrayed the original trilogy's characters in certain ways fans didn't expect, especially with Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi. If this pattern is going to continue, Lando Calrissian's return to the story may not be as heroic as fans are anticipating.
It's important to remember that Lando hasn't always been a "good guy," most notably when he made a deal with the Empire to protect his own interests even though it would hurt Han and his friends.
Like Luke, Han, and Leia, Lando might not be the same as he was at the end of Return of the Jedi. The passing decades will have changed him and possibly not for the better.
It's highly unlikely that he'd be so different as to be with the First Order, but fans need to be wary that he might not be a gung-ho hero eager to jump in and help lead the Resistance.
Return To Mustafar
After revealing Darth Vader's castle on Mustafar in Rogue One, many fans were convinced Kylo Ren would pay a visit to his grandfather's old lair in The Last Jedi. The theory didn't pan out, but it could still happen in Episode IX.
Vader chose Mustafar not just because of its personal connection to his transformation -- he also chose the planet because it is strong in the dark side of the Force.
Given Kylo's shift toward the dark side at the end of The Last Jedi and the planet's ties to Darth Vader's legacy, a trip to Mustafar seems like too tantalizing of an opportunity to pass up.
The Millennium Falcon Will Be Destroyed
The Millennium Falcon is an iconic piece of Star Wars, over the years practically becoming its own beloved character with a rich backstory.
With Episode IX acting as the end of the Skywalker saga, though, fans are expecting the end of many staples, possibly including the Millennium Falcon itself.
The end of the Millennium Falcon could represent the end of the Skywalker saga and the beginning of a new era better than the demise of any character ever could.
It's difficult to say how the ship's destruction would be handled. Hopefully it would be given a noble ending befitting the legendary ship and the heroic characters that've flown it.
Leia's Funeral Will Take Place On Naboo
If Leia does perish in Episode IX, some fans would like to see her buried on Naboo, the home planet of her mother Padmé Amidala. Naboo would be a fitting resting place for Leia in a number of ways.
Certain elements of the Skywalker saga are expected to come full-circle in Episode IX.
Naboo's appearance in Episode IX would do that on its own considering the planet's integral role in the prequel trilogy. It would also do that considering Padmé's funeral occurred there in Revenge of the Sith.
More importantly, it would feel right to have Leia buried alongside her mother, two of the galaxy's most inspiring, brave, and compassionate women.
Anakin's Force Ghost Will Communicate With His Grandson
Kylo Ren idolized Darth Vader, vowing in The Force Awakens to finish what his grandfather started.
His Vader obsession was certainly tempered on his journey to forge his own identity and let the past die in The Last Jedi, but Vader's still been a major influence on his grandson.
Despite wanting to be so much like Vader, Kylo actually has more parallels to the Anakin Skywalker of the prequel trilogy, powerful young men wrestling with inner turmoil, their struggles taken advantage of and leading to devastating consequences.
These parallels would make for a fascinating scene between Kylo Ren and Anakin's Force ghost which is actually rumored to happen in Episode IX.
Knights Of Ren Actors Already Announced
The Knights of Ren were heavily teased in The Force Awakens, yet they did not appear in The Last Jedi.
In order to deliver on those initial teases, it only makes sense that Episode IX will incorporate the Knights of Ren in a big way.
One or more of the new cast additions -- Keri Russell, Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Dominic Monaghan, and Matt Smith -- could play members of the mysterious group.
That possibility is more likely for Dominic Monaghan and Matt Smith as they weren't included in the official cast announcement like the others were.
Billie Lourd's Expanded Role
Carrie Fisher's daughter Billie Lourd officially became part of a galaxy far, far away when she played Lieutenant Connix in The Force Awakens. She only appeared briefly, but took on more of a role in The Last Jedi.
Billie Lourd's role should expand even further in Episode IX. From a narrative standpoint it makes sense as Connix is one of the few Resistance members still alive after the Battle of Crait, her experience making her a valuable asset as they rebuild.
It also seems likely as Lourd's name was included alongside the film's biggest stars in the official cast announcement.
There's no better way to honor Carrie Fisher than to see her daughter taking on a larger presence in the Star Wars universe.