In the months leading up to the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, fans spent a
lot of time theorizing about what might happen in the new film.
When they finally got to see the movie, they discovered that there was still plenty left
to be discussed, as not all the questions initially posed were answered.
Moviegoers are now beginning the wait for Episode 8, and they’re going back to what
they do best: speculating about Star Wars.
Here are 10 amazing Star Wars: The Force Awakens Theories That Change Everything.
Han Solo Is Still Alive
For longtime fans, it was very heartbreaking to see iconic character Han Solo meet his
noble end, being murdered by his own son.
Understandably, they don’t want to think about future Star Wars without Han, so some
have hoped that Solo lived through the fateful encounter.
After all, Darth Maul was cut in half and was later revived in the animated Clone Wars
series, so why can’t something similar happen for Han?
Unfortunately, it’s just wishful thinking.
Not only did the planet blow up, Han’s death was the key emotional moment of Episode 7,
and Lucasfilm won’t want to undermine that.
There’s a reason Harrison Ford isn’t in the Episode 8 cast.
Snoke Is A New Character
People have been trying to figure out the true identity of Supreme Leader Snoke – but
what if it’s just Snoke?
One theory suggests that Snoke is an entirely new character, not Darth Plagueis or another
reincarnated Sith.
The Sith thrive on emotion and attachments, using the Force to serve their personal needs.
This goes against Snoke’s teachings to Kylo Ren, where he tells his apprentice to purge
sentiment and emotion.
Snoke feels the Empire fell because Darth Vader loved his son, and if the Dark Side
is to prevail, something like that cannot happen again.
This would make Snoke something completely new to the films, a welcome development.
Kylo Ren Saved Rey
Ben Solo destroyed the Skywalker family when he turned to the Dark Side, but he still has
a soft spot in his heart.
Some think that Kylo Ren is the one who took Rey to Jakku where she would be safe.
In Rey’s Force Vision, there’s a part where Kylo stabs someone about to attack Rey,
suggesting he may have saved her during an assault.
Kylo is also very interested in Rey throughout the film, asking “What girl” when told
of her involvement with BB-8 and asking to be her teacher in the ways of the Force.
The novelization implies he knows her, and this would be an interesting dynamic.
Rey Solo
The biggest mystery fans want solved is who Rey’s parents are, and some think that there’s
still a chance she’s Han and Leia’s daughter.
Once Kylo Ren turned to the Dark Side, Han and Leia went their separate ways, and only
after did Leia discover she was pregnant again.
She kept Rey a secret from everyone and hid her on Jakku for safety.
The age gap between Kylo and Rey makes this a possibility, and it would explain why Han
doesn’t recognize Rey when he first meets her.
Still, in their interactions, Han and Leia only discuss Ben – so this one is probably
just a stretch.
Vader’s Helmet
Kylo Ren is very fond of his grandfather, and even keeps Darth Vader’s helmet in a
personal chamber to commune with in times of need.
The connection between the two villains is very interesting, and some think the helmet
was what swayed Ben Solo to the Dark Side.
In Star Wars canon, the Force can embed itself into objects, so it’s possible that the
helmet of a Sith Lord is covered in darkness and can leave a strong impression on a troubled
young apprentice.
It would explain the strong bond between Ren and Vader and why Kylo asks the helmet to
show him the power of the Dark Side again.
Luke and Leia’s Sibling
Could there be another Skywalker?
That’s what the opening text crawl in Episode 7 wants you to believe.
One line says that Leia is desperate to find her brother Luke, without commas around the
name Luke.
According to grammar rules, there should be, since “Luke” is not essential to the meaning
of the sentence, just “brother,” unless there’s a third Skywalker sibling viewers
don’t know about.
It’s most likely this is just a typo that slipped by editing, but there’s no denying
it would be one hell of a twist if it proved to be true.
Rey’s Force Training
Some fans found it too convenient that Rey as able to display such adeptness with the
Force as Episode 7 progressed since she had no prior training – or did she?
Some theorize that Rey was a student of Luke Skywalker’s before Ben Solo went bad, and
whoever hid Rey wiped her memory so she forgot her previous teachings.
As Rey embarks on her adventure, the lessons come back to her and she’s able to use powerful
Force abilities.
This would explain a perceived problem with the film, but even if it’s untrue, it’s
no big deal.
Luke was able to blow up a Death Star with the Force, after all.
Han Killed Himself
Though it’s suggested Kylo Ren murdered Han Solo, both had their hands on Kylo’s
lightsaber before it was turned on.
One theory says that Han was the one who put the blade through his chest, realizing that
the Dark Side had taken over his son and knowing what was about to happen.
In an effort to save Ben from one more sin tying him to evil, Han decided to take his
own life and spare his son the pain.
This would make the scene even more emotional, but the look of sheer surprise on Han’s
face illustrates he was not expecting to die in that moment.
He just wanted his son back.
Rey Skywalker
The most common belief about Rey is that she is the daughter of Luke Skywalker, and the
film does enough to support it.
The Skywalker family lightsaber specifically calls out to her, and Rey is already strong
with the Force – just like Anakin and Luke.
The film’s script also implies that Luke recognizes Rey when they meet at the end,
suggesting Rey is not just an average inhabitant in the galaxy.
The numbered episodes are said to be a generational tale of the Skywalker family, so Rey being
Luke’s offspring adds up.
Seeing a Jedi train his own daughter sounds very compelling, so fingers crossed for this
one.
Kylo Ren: Double Agent
What if Kylo Ren’s mission isn’t to consume himself in the darkness, but rid the galaxy
of it?
Some think that Ben Solo is working as a double agent to destroy the Dark Side from within,
leading to his conflicted feelings.
This would explain he was so emotionally torn after killing Han Solo, having sacrificed
his loving father for the greater good to show his allegiance to the Dark Side.
This would put an intriguing spin on things, giving greater depth to an already intriguing
character.
The evidence supporting it now is slim, but there are still more movies to come.
As unlikely as it seems, this would be a great twist.