When the Star Wars sequel trilogy was being released, countless fan theories were being circulated—and I wish these 10 controversial theories had actually come true. The sequel trilogy remains a sore point in Star Wars movies and TV shows. Although the intense backlash the movies initially received has certainly died down over the years, criticism remains, and many still see the sequels as some of Star Wars’ worst movies.
In part, this poor reception was due to story and character development choices that audiences found disappointing, from Luke Skywalker losing hope and exiling himself on Ahch-To to Emperor Palpatine’s shocking resurrection and return. However, while there were admittedly issues with the Star Wars sequel trilogy, various aspects of the movies had true promise. In fact, I sincerely believe any of these 10 fan theories would have seriously improved the sequels, had they been true.
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10 Rey Being A Kenobi
Many Suspected That Rey Was Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Granddaughter
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The true identity of Rey’s parents was perhaps the single biggest mystery of the sequel trilogy, and, because of that, theories ran wild about who her parents could be. One popular theory was that Rey was actually a Kenobi, presumably the granddaughter of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Many especially thought this because Obi-Wan’s voice was so distinct in Star Wars: The Force Awakens when Rey touched Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber and experienced a series of Force visions. In the end, Star Wars went in a very different direction, instead revealing that Rey was a descendant of Palpatine.
I wish Rey had been revealed to be a Kenobi for a number of reasons.
However, I wish Rey had been revealed to be a Kenobi for a number of reasons. For one, Rey could therefore have been proof of the romance between Satine Kryze and Obi-Wan, one of the most thrilling reveals in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. This could have also meant the confirmation that Korkie Kryze was Obi-Wan’s son after all, as many suspected. For another, this could have ended with a final battle between Anakin’s grandson and Obi-Wan’s granddaughter, a perfect ‘rhyme’ with their fight on Mustafar in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
9 Kylo Ren Becoming The Ultimate ‘Big Bad’
Kylo Ren Was Supposed To Be The Inverse Of Vader
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The sequels also had an unfortunate villain problem, which became most clear with the bewildering return of Palpatine in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. At the time, this was only explained by Poe Dameron’s now infamous line, “Somehow, Palpatine returned.” However, what makes this even more disappointing is that the sequel trilogy had the perfect villain already. Specifically, Kylo Ren and his Knights of Ren would have been brilliant, unique villains in Star Wars.
Kylo Ren and his Knights of Ren would have been brilliant, unique villains in
Star Wars
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Adam Driver has revealed in the years since The Rise of Skywalker’s release that, originally, Kylo Ren was meant to be the inverse of Vader, becoming more evil with time rather than being redeemed over the trilogy’s three movies. Instead, Kylo Ren replicated Vader’s original trilogy arc, returning to the light side of the Force and sacrificing his life for Rey in The Rise of Skywalker. I really believe that having Kylo Ren be the ‘big bad’ of the sequels, assisted by his Knights of Ren, would have been much more compelling, and it could have avoided the Palpatine twist.
8 Finn And Poe Having A Romantic Arc
This Remains A Popular ‘Ship’ In The Franchise
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Although this theory was highly controversial, many believed that The Force Awakens was setting up a romantic arc between Finn and Poe Dameron. Star Wars has yet to show two men in a relationship on screen, but the chemistry between Poe and Finn was clear enough that many viewers were pushing for this arc. Sadly, not only did the two not end up linked in that way, but also, their characters (Finn in particular) were sidelined throughout the trilogy, The Rise of Skywalker especially.
It’s truly disappointing that Star Wars didn’t take this opportunity to bring gay characters to the canon Star Wars screen. Finn and Poe were beloved, especially in The Force Awakens, and many in the fanbase would have celebrated this decision. Yes, there would have been backlash from certain parts of the fandom had Star Wars made this choice, but that alone should not have prevented the franchise from taking this step. Instead, The Rise of Skywalker snuck in a quick kiss between two women, which felt like a bit of throwaway fan service that didn’t make either side happy.
7 Luke Skywalker Turning To The Dark Side
A Major Fan Theory Involved A Dark Side Luke Skywalker
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The handling of Luke Skywalker’s character in the sequel trilogy remains one of the biggest complaints audiences have about the sequels. After Luke was almost entirely absent from The Force Awakens, only appearing at the end and not delivering any lines, he was revealed to be living in exile, having lost hope in the galaxy in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. This was a far cry from the hopeful, powerful Jedi Luke Skywalker at the end of Return of the Jedi. However, a prominent theory prior to the sequel trilogy releasing was that Luke had fallen to the dark side.
Many specifically believed the theory that Luke Skywalker was Kylo Ren before Kylo’s helmet was removed in The Force Awakens. While this likely would have intensified fan backlash about the sequels ‘ruining’ Luke’s character, it would have proven interesting. In fact, it would have made good on a concept George Lucas himself once had; previously, Lucas considered having Luke turn to the dark side and become the new Vader in Return of the Jedi.
6 Rey Being A Nobody
Kylo Ren’s Original Reveal Was Better Than The Palpatine Twist
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Although many believed that Rey was a Kenobi (and some even thought that she might be Luke Skywalker’s daughter in The Force Awakens), still more thought Rey’s parents had no connections to the Skywalkers or any other major Star Wars families or characters. In fact, The Last Jedi reinforced this notion, with Kylo Ren directly telling Rey that her parents were nothing more than filthy junk traders who sold her for drinking money. Although the words were harsh, many favored the idea that Rey was a ‘nobody’ in Star Wars.
Unfortunately, this, like Rey possibly being a Kenobi, was done away with when The Rise of Skywalker revealed that Rey was a Palpatine by blood. This was truly a shame, as the idea that Rey had no connection to the galaxy’s most powerful, influential characters reinforced what Star Wars had always been about. From the very beginning in A New Hope, it was clear that anyone could be a hero and powerful Jedi could come from anywhere. Sadly, the sequels missed the opportunity to remind audiences of this message.
5 Anakin Skywalker Returning As A Force Ghost
Hayden Christensen Could Have Had A Brilliant Cameo
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Because Return of the Jedi had already swapped in Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker’s Force ghost at the end of the movie, many hoped that Christensen would make an appearance as a Force ghost in the sequels. This would have proven particularly interesting, as Kylo Ren consistently spoke to Darth Vader’s helmet as though Vader was still on the dark side of the Force and would support Kylo Ren’s plans. It would have been incredible to see Anakin appear, telling Kylo Ren he had been redeemed and Kylo Ren was wrong.
It’s even odder that Star Wars didn’t take advantage of this possibility in the sequels, as Christensen has since returned to Star Wars in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka. The Ahsoka finale even specifically showed Christensen as a Force ghost, revealing precisely what this could have looked like. In fact, this would have made particular sense at the end of The Rise of Skywalker when Rey buried Leia and Anakin’s lightsabers on the Lars’ Farm on Tatooine. It would have been even better for Anakin to appear alongside Luke and Leia, and that would have affirmed Rey’s acceptance that much more.
4 ‘Skywalker’ Becoming A Title, Not A Name
Rey Took The Last Name Skywalker, But It Could Have Had So Much More Meaning
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Rey taking the last name Skywalker at the end of The Rise of Skywalker became extremely controversial, even with Force ghosts Luke and Leia nodding their approval. In fact, this remains a point of tension in the franchise, with many in the fanbase still refusing to call her Rey Skywalker. On the one hand, this rejection is a bit odd. Rey is far from the only character to choose a last name; after all, Han Solo’s last name came from him being alone, based on Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Yes, the name Skywalker carries much more weight and is therefore a more sensitive subject, but Star Wars has been clear that Rey Skywalker is her canon name. Nevertheless, Star Wars did have the opportunity to change the nature of the name Skywalker in the franchise in a way that likely would have been much more interesting. Specifically, a popular theory was that Skywalker would instead become a title, making someone with particular Force abilities ‘a Skywalker.’ While Rey’s upcoming Star Wars movie could theoretically make this canon, it remains to be seen whether it will.
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3 Rey Becoming A Sith Lord
Sith Rey Was A Thrilling Sight… But A Brief One
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Another very popular Rey theory was that she would become a Sith Lord in The Rise of Skywalker, which many were excited to see. In fact, this theory often included Rey and Kylo Ren effectively switching places, with Rey turning to the dark side and Kylo Ren returning to the light as Ben Solo. Arguably, this also would have better explained the title of the movie, as Ben would have been the last Skywalker (by blood) to rise. The Palpatine twist may have even worked better in this context, with Rey accepting her past by turning to evil.
The Rise of Skywalker then teased this theory that much more by giving Rey a vision of the Sith version of herself. In truth, Sith Rey was one of the most terrifying Sith images in Star Wars canon, as she appeared barely human, with sharp, fang-like teeth. Sadly, though, this was only a brief vision that scared Rey—in the end, Rey was not all that tempted by the dark side of the Force at all.
2 Finn Being A Jedi
The Sequels Heavily Teased Jedi Finn
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One of the most disappointing aspects of the sequel trilogy was the sidelining of Finn as a main character. In fact, in advertising for The Force Awakens, Finn even seemed as though he might be the trilogy’s main Jedi, and many expected that arc for him. What made this all the worse was that Finn did wield the iconic blue lightsaber of Anakin Skywalker in The Force Awakens, yet his Force-sensitivity took a backseat to Rey’s story. In the end, it wasn’t even clear how Force sensitive Finn really was.
Finn even seemed as though he might be the trilogy’s main Jedi, and many expected that arc for him.
As with an exploration of the name/title ‘Skywalker,’ theoretically, Finn’s Jedi path could be explored in Rey’s new movie. However, given the treatment of Finn in the sequels, actor John Boyega seems unlikely to return. Sadly, this may mean that the sequels truly missed the opportunity to make Finn a Jedi in Star Wars, which is a shame not only because it was unfair to Boyega but also because it would have been incredible to have an ex-stormtrooper become a Jedi.
1 Luke Going Into Exile After Mara Jade Died
Many Hoped Mara Jade Would Become Canon
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One of the biggest theories about the sequel trilogy was that it would make Mara Jade canon. Mara Jade is one of the most beloved characters in all of Star Wars, although she is currently only in Legends. After serving as one of the Emperor’s Hands, Mara Jade turned to the light side of the Force, married Luke Skywalker, and became a Jedi Master in his Temple. It truly is a shame that this story isn’t canon, and the sequel trilogy had the chance to change that.
There was even intense speculation that the sequels would do so, as it seemed as though Luke was standing next to a gravestone when he was shown on Ahch-To at the end of The Force Awakens. Arguably, this would have been an even better explanation for Luke’s exile; rather than giving up on the galaxy, Luke could have been in mourning on Ahch-To. However, the sequels continued to write Mara Jade out entirely, making the character’s canonization yet another Star Wars sequel trilogy theory that sadly never came to be.