There are innumerableStar Warsfan theories, some of which are nearly 50 years old, but of all of them, these 10 are the very best—in fact, they’re so much better than the canon. One of the joys ofStar Warsmovies and TV showsis the amount of wiggle room there is for fans to come up with their own headcanon. From the beginning, there were both intentional and unintentional gaps intheStar Warstimeline, and fans waste no time theorizing about how the franchise could fill them in.
At times, these theories are even better than the answersStar Warsultimately gives. This is true ofissues with theStar Warssequel trilogyas well ascomplaints about theStar Warsprequel trilogyin many ways. Across allStar Warsmovies, shows, and books, though,these 10 theories are the very best, and they’re so much better than the truth inStar Warscanon.
Korkie Kryze Is Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Son (And Rey Is A Kenobi)
This Is A Popular Fan Theory, And It’s A Convincing One At That
I will never stop believing thisStar Warstheory, even if it’s eventually confirmed to be incorrect in the canon once and for all. From the moment Korkie Kryze appeared inStar Wars: The Clone Wars, the fan theory that he was really Obi-Wan Kenobi’s son began spreading like wildfire. This was in part because Satine Kryze, Korkie’s “aunt,” was shockingly revealed to be Obi-Wan’s love interest. What makes this all the more convincing is thatKorkie Kryze looks absolutely identical to Obi-Wan Kenobi, and his parents have never been confirmed.
It’s confusing that Korkie is meant to be Satine’s nephew because Satine’s only sibling is Bo-Katan Kryze, who has no children. Satine also isn’t married, so Korkie can’t be her nephew through marriage. What would make sense is Satine using this nephew story as a cover for a secret love affair with a Jedi. While this may seem out of character for Obi-Wan, no one had any idea he’d had a love interest at all, so is it really out of the question?
This would also make it much more possible for Rey to be a Kenobi, which has been a popular theory since the beginning of the sequel trilogy withStar Wars: The Force Awakens. Yes, Rey’s paternal side is confirmed to be a Palpatine bloodline, but little is known about her mother. Especially given there have been hints that Rey’s mother, Miramir, was Force-sensitive, it’s possible she is Korkie’s daughter, making Rey, finally, a Kenobi.
This would also make it much more possible for Rey to be a Kenobi.
Jar Jar Binks Is A Sith
Darth Jar Jar Is A Fan-Favorite Theory
When I first heard aboutthe Darth Jar Jar theory, I thought it was just a joke. To be fair, it started that way, in part because Jar Jar is such a goofy character that it was ridiculous to imagine he could be evil. When looking a bit closer, though,thinking that Jar Jar Binks could be a Sith isn’t that big a stretch. The most compelling evidence for this theory is that Jar Jar grants Palpatine emergency powers in the Republic Senate, which is a major stepping stone in Palpatine’s rise to power.
Jar Jar grants Palpatine emergency powers in the Republic Senate, which is a major stepping stone in Palpatine’s rise to power.
Star Warseven heavily teased this theory, albeit while keeping it firmly non-canonical, withLEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy. That miniseries, which presented an alternate reality inStar Wars,included several character reversals, among them Darth Jar Jar. It’s unlikelyStar Warswould ever make this canon in the franchise, which makes this fan theory so much better than the reality.
Palpatine Is Anakin’s “Father”
This Has Been A Debate Since The Prequels Were First Released
Anakin’s parentage has long been a confusing part ofStar Wars, ever sinceStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menacesuggested that Anakin had been a type of immaculate conception. Shmi Skywalker, Anakin’s mother, told Qui-Gon Jinn that"there was no father,“and it was really left at that. Since then,Star Warshas heavily hinted that the Force itself created Anakin, which lends itself to the Chosen One prophecy.
Star Wars: The Chosen One Prophecy Explained
The prophecy of the Chosen One lies at the heart of Star Wars' Skywalker saga - but where did it come from, and how did Anakin Skywalker fulfil it?
An equally prevalent theory—and one I like much better—is that Palpatine created Anakin Skywalker by manipulating midi-chlorians within Shmi Skywalker’s womb. This would make sense, asPalpatine’s Sith master, Darth Plagueis, is known to have possessed the ability to create life. This would also mean that Anakin/Darth Vader was a part of Palpatine’s plot all along, and he had gone to incredible lengths long beforeThe Phantom Menaceto ensure all he planned came to pass.
That Is Captain Rex In Return Of The Jedi
Fans Are Desperate To Have This Theory Confirmed
Yet another fan-favoriteStar Warstheory is thatit is Captain Rex inReturn of the Jedi. Rex is one ofStar Wars’best characters, and he has increasingly appeared inStar Wars’shows, fromThe Clone WarstoStar Wars Rebels. Many believe that Rex’s first on-screen appearance actually predates these shows by a wide margin, though, and actually came inReturn of the Jedi.
There is specifically a Rebel fighter inReturn of the Jedithat bears a striking resemblance to Captain Rex, especially Rex when he is a bit older, such as inRebels. It would be incredible for this fan theory to be proven true, as it would make Rex’s legacy even greater and confirm that he was still alive at this time. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to ever be confirmed, asDave Filoni explained why he won’t confirm this Rex theory.
Leia Was Experiencing Force Visions—Not Memories—Of Padmé
This Would Explain One Major Lingering Plot Hole
InReturn of the Jedi, Leia told Luke that she remembered flashes of their mother, including that she was beautiful but sad. This suggested that, although Luke never knew Padmé, Leia lived with her, at least for a time. This is something that George Lucas even considered—that, at the end ofStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Padmé would go with Bail Organa and Leia to Alderaan but would eventually die. (I truly wish this had been the story, as Padmé’s death still bothers me.)
19 Years After Revenge Of The Sith, I’m Still Convinced Padme’s Death Was A Big Mistake
While Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is an excellent movie, the manner of Padme’s death was nevertheless a major mistake in Star Wars.
Instead,Revenge of the Sithrevealed that Padmé had died immediately after giving birth to the twins, creating a massive plot hole regarding how Leia remembered her mother. As the sequel trilogy confirmed that Leia was Force-sensitive though,some have theorized that what Leia thought were memories of Padmé were actually Force visions. This fan theory is truly brilliant, and it’s oneStar Warsshould confirm. It would make so much sense that Leia would be experiencing visions of her mother and, before she was truly connected to the Force and knew that, believe they were simply memories.
Luke’s Green Lightsaber Uses Qui-Gon’s Kyber Crystal
One of my favoriteStar Warstheories that has explicitly been confirmed to be incorrect inStar Warscanon is thatLuke Skywalker’s green lightsaber uses Qui-Gon Jinn’s kyber crystal. This would have been a truly beautiful connection not only betweenThe Phantom MenaceandReturn of the Jedi, but also between Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi master and his most recent apprentice. In fact, this would have connected theStar WarsJedi master and apprentice lineage.
This particularly made sense, asStar Warshas confirmedwhat happened to Qui-Gon’s lightsaber afterThe Phantom Menace: Obi-Wan took it with him during his exile on Tatooine. It would therefore make plenty of sense that Luke had access to that kyber crystal and could have used it to build his own lightsaber betweenThe Empire Strikes BackandReturn of the Jedi. Sadly, as mentioned,Star Warshas confirmed this isn’t the case. The canonStar Warscomic,Star Wars (2020) 35, confirmed that Luke got his crystal from the planet Christophsis.
Mace Windu Is Still Alive
Mace’s Resurrection Would Be Far From The Most Bizarre So Far
Mace Windu seemed to meet a gruesome end inRevenge of the Sithwhen Anakin cut off his arm and Palpatine sent him flying out the window after electrocuting him with Force lightning. However,Samuel L. Jackson himself has long argued that Mace Windu isn’t really dead. While that may seem like a stretch on the surface, it’s actually pretty believable, especially givenStar Wars’history of resurrections.
There have been much more brutal “deaths” inStar Warsthat have turned into resurrections, and, as Jackson himself points out, Mace Windu was one ofStar Wars’most powerful Jedi. It’s not impossible to imagine that Mace Windu went flying out the window but ended up grabbing onto or landing in a speeder flying through Coruscant air traffic. If that’s the case, it would be incredible forStar Warsto confirm it and bring Mace Windu back.
Anakin’s Nightmares Were Coming Directly From Palpatine
Palpatine Was So Manipulative, This Makes Perfect Sense
Anakin’s nightmares about Padmé’s death ended up being indescribably devastating to theStar Warsgalaxy. Because Anakin was so terrified of losing Padmé, he was willing to betray everything and everyone he knew and loved to keep her alive. Ultimately, this played right into Palpatine’s hands, as he was able to exploit Anakin’s fears over Padmé dying to get him to turn to the dark side.
This played right into Palpatine’s hands, as he was able to exploit Anakin’s fears over Padmé dying to get him to turn to the dark side.
This likely wasn’t a coincidence, which is whythis popularStar Warsfan theory suggests Palpatine had directly implanted these nightmares in Anakin’s mind, guaranteeing Anakin would be desperate to save her. Given what a mastermind Palpatine proved to be throughout this era, it’s easy to believe that this was the case. WhileStar Warsmay not confirm it, this theory is so logical it almost feels as though it doesn’t need confirmation.
Palpatine Stayed In Hiding Until He Was Confident Luke Was Really Dead
ThisTheory Makes One Of Star Wars' Most Controversial Choices A Bit Better
The revelation that Palpatine was back from the dead inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerwas one of the single most controversial plot points in the sequel trilogy, which is saying something, given how controversial the sequels already were at that point. In part, this was because it felt like a throwaway and a last-ditch effort to save the sequels with a popular villain. However,thisStar Warstheory would make that at least somewhat better.
Star Wars' Cloning Explained: Clone Army, Project Necromancer, & Palpatine’s Resurrection
Beginning in Attack of the Clones, cloning has been an essential part of Star Wars history ever since, going all the way up to Emperor Palpatine.
This theory suggests thatPalpatine waited to reveal he was alive until after Luke had died inStar Wars: The Last Jedi. While that might not entirely fix the issue, particularly because audiences remain furious thatThe Rise of Skywalkeroffered little more than"Somehow, Palpatine returned,“it does at least make sense. Luke had obviously been a major threat to Palpatine and the Empire in general. Palpatine wouldn’t have underestimated Luke again, so it would likely be his plan to hide until Luke was gone.
Palpatine Used Padme’s Life Force To Save Anakin
One Of My Biggest Star Wars Grievances Would Finally Be Resolved
One of my least favorite plot points in all ofStar Warsis the way that Padmé died. Padmé obviously needed to die beforeA New Hope, but there were so many ways this could have been done. Instead,Revenge of the Sithconfirmed that Padmé simply lost the will to live, which was entirely antithetical to her character. ThisStar Warstheory would resolve this issue, however, and be so much better than the canon explanation of Padmé’s death.
In this theory, Palpatine would have used the Force to drain Padmé’s life and transfer that life force into Anakin when he was near death after his battle with Obi-Wan on Mustafar. This would not only explain how Anakin/Darth Vader came back from the brink of death but also give Padmé a much better ending, more consistent with her character. This also wouldn’t need to be a retcon, as it would make sense for the medical droid to have no idea why Padmé was dying in this case. Of all theStar Warsfan theories, this is perhaps my favorite.
