Photo Credit: [Star Wars: The Last Jedi] Lucasfilm
We debunk the Star Wars: Episode IX rumors, which include, Kylo Ren, Rey, and much more.
Even though Solo: A Star Wars Story is dropping in less than 20 days now — I know, we’re all freaking too — rumors are buzzing regarding Star Wars: Episode IX. Often, it’s difficult to differentiate between what’s true and what’s false; but lucky for you all we’ve got you back.
With the help of the subreddit site Star Wars Cantina, we take the prominent rumors for Star Wars: Episode IX and shine our lightsaber on them — exposing them for what they indeed are.
Are you ready to embrace your inner Obi-Wan and begin your detective work on these Star Wars: Episode IX rumors?
“Rey and Kylo Ren will face off against the Knights of Ren in Star Wars: Episode Ix”: Debunked:
"Lucasfilm previously confirmed that the KOR are based on, or will be based on, Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. Meaning that they’re more likely to fight alongside Kylo, a la Band of Brothers, than against him and Rey. (J.J. Abrams also expressed he wanted to make a KOR movie, most likely also based on Seven Samurai, making it even less likely that the KOR will be killed off in IX.)"
I’ve expressed ever since Star Wars: The Force Awakens released in 2015 that the Knights of Ren are not Force-wielders. Looking at Rey’s vision, we see a group of fanatics who appear to be fanboys of Kylo Ren himself — having his back.
The origins of the Knights of Ren is hinted at within the canon novel trilogy Star Wars Aftermath, where a sect of Darth Vader fanboys carries on the Sith Lord’s legacy after his untimely death — with the slogan “Vader lives!”
Imagine if this group, which would have been around for around 20 years by the time of Ben Solo’s transformation into Kylo Ren, discovered that a descendant of Darth Vader indeed lives? They would undoubtedly follow Kylo Ren to the ends of the earth and aid him in destroying any surviving Jedi from Luke Skywalker’s academy.
It does leave us wondering where did the handful of Luke’s students who went with Kylo Ren go? That’s a good question for another time.
"“The Knights of Ren will all wield red lightsabers”: Debunked"
Also within Rey’s Force-back vision, we see the Knights of Ren sporting all sorts of different weapons, with only Kylo Ren wielding a red-blade.
Photo Credit: [Star Wars: The Last Jedi] Lucasfilm
“Anakin’s Lightsaber is repaired”: Likely Debunked
"The Kyber crystal in Anakin’s lightsaber is literally rended in half, raising serious questions about how, or even if, it will be – or can be – repaired. Rian Johnson and Jason Fry (TLJ novel) both confirmed the Kyber crystal was cleaved in two because it could not “find resonance” with Rey or Kylo / Ben."
I’ve seen Star Wars: The Last Jedi at least 100 times — well not that many, but I’ve seen it A LOT — and I always believed that the kyber crystal from Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber remained intact until I read Jason Fry’s novelization of the film.
Instead of debunking rumors, this stirs up more; and the possibilities are endless. How will Rey get her hands on a kyber crystal? At this point in Galactic history, these rare organisms are rare, after the Empire’s Jedi Purge.
After the destruction of the Jedi Order (the first time around) any remaining kyber crystal was used to power both Death Stars. With Jedha City and the Jedi Temple on Lothal, both destroyed, and the Jedi pilgrimage planet of Illum (almost certainly) turned into Starkiller base also non-existent, it would be difficult for Rey to get her hands on one.
Rey and Kyo Ren could both restore the lightsaber together, but I don’t see that happening. A Kylo Ren redemption story is still plausible, but it seems he is letting the past die and would likely have no interest in Anakin’s lightsaber at this point.
I do want Rey’s staff turned into a lightsaber in Star Wars: Episode IX, with the first onscreen pink blade in Star Wars history. How cool would that be?
Photo Credit: [Star Wars: The Last Jedi] Lucasfilm
Star Wars: Episode IX theories that are still possible.
A list of other potential rumors and theories for Star Wars: Episode IX surfaced within the past 24 hours, which we need to take with a grain of sand — yes, I hate sand. It’s course, irritating… You all know the rest.
To reiterate, these are wild rumors, but it’s fun to speculate and see if these come to fruition once the film is released. Part of the fun of being a Star Wars fan is to create fan theories and have fun while we are waiting patiently (like a Jedi) for upcoming films.
Thank the Maker we have Solo: A Star Wars Story dropping a few weeks, and another animated series, Star Wars: Resistance coming this fall — along with books, novels, etc. What a time to be alive and to be a Star Wars fan.
- It’s possible that we are receiving a two-parter of Star Wars: Episode IX, stealing a page from the playbook of Harry Potter. Skywalker saga — which would be released a year in succession ( 2019-2020).
- Rey and Kylo Ren will indeed end up together.
- Rey’s parents were soldiers of the Empire and Rey used the Force to kill them. This one seems entirely unlikely, but I have to admit that it is an intriguing idea.
- The Force ghost of Luke Skywalker will appear to Kylo Ren and not Rey. “See you around, kid.”
- Captain Phasma is alive and well — please say that she’s dead, for the love of the Force. We don’t need another Darth Maul returning from the grave.
- Finn will become the leader of the Resistance and not Poe. I honestly think this would be a terrible idea since one of the significant stories of The Last Jedi is setting Poe up to be the new leader of the Resistance.
Photo Credit: [Star Wars: The Last Jedi] Lucasfilm
Some more Star Wars: Episode IX rumors that have a bit of life
We are just getting started, with a few more Star Wars: Episode IX rumors floating around. Once again, these are just wild rumors, and we are having a bit of fun just speculating.
More from Dork Side of the Force
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We are approaching the end of the trench run, so here goes nothing.
- Poe will embrace his inner Saw Gerrera and become a terrorist, of sorts. The thought of this is a surprise but a welcome one, if real.
- Leia Organa will be in the film and mentor Rey in the ways of the Force while giving Rey more details on Kylo Ren’s past. The thought of a Carrie Fisher-less Leia is a mixed bag that we already discussed, but this story sounds promising.
- Rose has a smaller part but will remain the love-interest of Poe. I enjoyed her story in The Last Jedi, but I’m okay with this path for her.
- Kylo Ren will overcome his unbalanced nature and become a beloved ruler of the galaxy. Even though this is unlike his character, a time jump would allow for this change to happen.
- Kylo Ren will be redeemed, and he is, in fact, the Last Jedi. He will carry on the legacy of his Uncle and Grandfather, uniting with Rey.
- Rey and Kylo Ren are revealed to be the most potent Force-users in the history of the galaxy.
- A possible The Empire Strikes Back styled twist revealing that Kylo Ren is the light of the Force and Rey is the embodiment of the Dark Side. I don’t think this is accurate, but it’s a compelling rumor.
- The Force ghost of Snoke will haunt Kylo Ren. Even though Dark Side users are unable to manifest as Light Side users do, this is consistent with what’s right within Star Wars lore — revealed of Darth Bane and other Sith on the world of Moraband shown in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
- We will receive flashbacks of a young Ben Solo/Kylo Ren and a young Rey.
- The working title of Star Wars: Episode IX is called “Black Diamond” reference to Kylo Ren.
Phew. That’s a lot to take in, but it’s fun to look at these rumors and possibilities — and remember, these are just rumors, so don’t take these to the bank quite yet.
Next: Episode IX casting for Mara Jade
But, first things, first with Solo: A Star Wars Story. After it’s release, we can then focus back on Star Wars: Episode IX, but it was fun taking a break from the Han Solo related news for a bit, wasn’t it?