The final installment of the Skywalker saga is rapidly approaching, and anticipation for The Rise Of Skywalker is through the roof. It has the unique task of tying up not only the sequel trilogy, but also the other Star Wars trilogies, a task that, if the film fails to achieve, will be a disappointment to fans.
Build-up and trailers have resulted in piles of fan theories, some thought out, some obvious, and some that are reaching further than those who thought Snoke was Mace Windu. This article will do the same, so here are 10 theories about The Rise Of Skywalker.
The Dagger Is The Wayfinder
One of the biggest questions coming out of the various trailers and TV spots has been the dagger seen being held by Rey. It has been theorized by many that it is the Dagger of Mortis from The Clone Wars. However, another reasonable explanation is that the dagger is a map or a Wayfinder.
A clue to this is in the released 'Sith Dagger' TV spot in which Rey can be seen holding up the dagger as if reading it or lining it up with the background—the Death Star. Then, in the 'Adventure' TV spot Rey is seen, with the dagger facing Kylo, she grips the dagger close to her and a lightsaber battle ensues, giving the impression that Kylo wants the dagger and that it likely leads the way to what everyone is looking for, whether it be Palpatine, or secrets unknown.
Ancient Sith Play A Major Role In Palpatine's Story
One of the most anticipated things about this film is the return of Emperor Sheev Palpatine, one of the greatest and most powerful Sith to ever have lived, and that he is somehow he is alive, or, at least, is present. It would make absolute sense that this is from help from ancient Sith and their lore.
Darth Plageuis was trying to figure out immortality, Palpatine may have achieved so. The film will talk about or perhaps a flashback to ancient Sith—Plageuis, Bane or other—who have power in artifacts and teachings and how Palpatine collected and studied them, the dagger likely being one of those artifacts, as well as the throne seen in trailers.
Kylo Will Battle Palpatine With Rey and Sacrifice Himself
This theory is not necessarily original but is also an obvious one when looking at the history of Star Wars, as George Lucas says it is like poetry, it rhymes. Kylo was likely always going to die.
Kylo has been undoubtedly the best part of the sequel trilogy. Kylo and Rey's connection blossomed in The Last Jedi, and, after another movie of battles and tears within Kylo, he will join Rey to redeem himself, just when she loses hope. In the final trailer, Kylo is looking behind him before turning his body and walking, likely to Rey, on what looks like the planet Palpatine and her encounter on. Seconds later, a close-up of Rey's face occurs, with a smile about to come on her face.
There Will Be A Bunch Of Flashbacks
The runtime for The Rise Of Skywalker is according to J.J Abrams around 2hrs 21 minutes. That is under two and a half hours to tie up not only the trilogy, but the entire saga. A way to make that easier and fit in a lot of moments and backstory is through visions and flashbacks.
The film will likely utilize visions in Rey and Kylo's stories throughout the film, in a TV spot Rey is seen hooded, on Ach-To looking at Kylo's crashed and burning ship, likely a vision. Flashbacks can be well-utilized in the Emperor's survival story as well as other elements of the story such as Snoke, the Knights of Ren, and more information on Ben Solo.
Palpatine Created Snoke
The debate over Snoke's backstory has now been raging on for over four years, but, by examining a Legend's story of Palpatine's master and what is already known about Palpatine, there is evidence that Palpatine created Snoke.
In the James Luceno Darth Plageuis novel, the 'Grand Experiment' takes place in which master and apprentice use a lab and use Sith alchemy and the dark side to influence midi-chlorians to create life. Through comics, it is now known that Palpatine manipulated midi-chlorians within Shmi to create Anakin. Couple this story with the fact that Palpatine has labs called observatories across the galaxy, then it gives way to the idea that Palpatine created Snoke, used him, and even orchestrated his death to get to Kylo—after all, it was Snoke who turned Kylo to the dark side, similar to what Palpatine did to Dooku and Anakin.
Leia Will Become One With The Force
Unfortunately, the phenomenal Carrie Fisher will be seen for the last time in The Rise Of Skywalker, using unused footage Leia will be brought to our screens one last time, and it is most likely the time Leia dies.
Through the events of The Last Jedi, her connection with Luke in the original and sequel trilogy, and the proclamation by Yoda that "there is another" in Empire Strikes Back, fans know Leia is Force-sensitive, so it is likely that, in The Rise Of Skywalker, Leia joins her brother and becomes one with the Force.
There Will Be A Collective Of Powerful Force Ghosts
Most Star Wars fans are hoping for the return of Hayden Christensen. Meanwhile, Luke is already appearing, but that should not be the end. Yoda, Obi-Wan, even Qui-Gon should appear, it works with the story and what the film is trying to achieve.
As for having more power, the limits of Force ghosts are not known. In The Last Jedi Yoda uses the Force to strike lightning, so, what if they have more power in this film? It is very possible Luke or even Yoda can aid our heroes in further ways and could even perhaps wield lightsabers themselves.
There Are Multiple Clones Of The Emperor
Cloning and essence transfer have been prominent theories amongst the fandom, but, rather than clones, or a singular embodiment, evidence from the trailers give the impression there are perhaps multiple embodiments of the dark lord.
If all TV spots and trailers are watched one after another, it becomes clear that the voice of the Emperor is different in a couple of them, insinuating multiple Emperors, one of which is perhaps played by Matt Smith, who fans have been speculating about for months. In the 'Duel' TV spot, Rey's eyes are seen moving as if looking up at multiple people, which could be the multiple embodiments of Palpatine who has somehow transferred his essence into multiple hosts.
Dark Side Rey Is Palpatine
An out-there theory, however, dark-side Rey has been the cause for much debate also. The predictable and safest bet is that she is a vision, an Empire Strikes Back situation.
But, if Palpatine has secured the power to embody himself in others and manages to capture Rey and undergo the process of possessing Rey, it is possible then it is Palpatine as Rey with the double-bladed lightsaber to face off against the heroes, or even Kylo. Whether it be a temporary possession, or if Palpatine sees Rey as the best permanent host, it is an unlikely, but intriguing theory.
The Final Shot Will Be Of The Twin Suns
A constant throughout the Skywalker saga has been the binary sunset/twin suns first seen in A New Hope with John Williams' iconic score.
It has been seen in all three trilogies, and, while it is not the most exciting theory, it may be the most poetic and beautiful for The Rise Of Skywalker. Whether on Tatooine or not, whether it is all characters or none looking towards it, the twin suns are one of Star Wars' most iconic images and a true embodiment of the Skywalker saga and would make complete sense being the final shot of the film.