Star Wars: Episode IX: Is old concept art a key to the storyline?

A recent Star Wars-related tweet has sent fans combing through concept art for potential spoilers for Star Wars: Episode IX.

If you want to send Star Wars fans scurrying, just post something cryptic to get them going. That’s what Slashfilm’s Peter Sciretta did and now fans are combing through everything they can for a hint of what’s to come for Star Wars: Episode IX.

Sciretta tweeted about the Skywalker Saga finale telling fans to check out early concept art from Star Wars: The Force Awakens for clues.

The concept art could be found in The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which probably saw a spike in purchases after the tweet.

So what could Sciretta be referencing … well, that’s part of the fun. Keep in mind, potential spoilers are ahead, so only read if you’re willing to be spoiled.

As Star Wars fans comb through the book, they have found a few pieces that could be considered. Let’s take a look at what some of those clues could be.

General Leia’s role

Star Wars: Episode IX director J.J. Abrams stated Carrie Fisher would be in the movie using previously shot footage. There is actually an entire storyline included in The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens that was never used in the film.

It’s been discussed before but bears bringing up again because of the above mentioned tweet.

Leia was in the process of purchasing a superweapon for the Resistance called the Sledgehammer. It could make sense that this storyline would be brought into Star Wars: Episode IX especially if these scenes were already filmed.

More from Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

• How many Oscars has Star Wars won?
• Looking back at 10 years of Star Wars: The films
• Domhnall Gleeson up for returning as General Hux
• Star Wars fan’s epic poster is The Rise of Skywalker ending reimagined
• Star Wars 25 features the first post-Rise of Skywalker canon story

As Leia is trying to regroup and strengthen the Resistance once again, a weapon of that caliber could turn the tables a bit because the neutral planets and territories are scared of The First Order.

Whether this is the case, I feel this going against the essence of Leia and the Resistance. Having that type of power – having a superweapon that instills fear – is exactly what the Empire and First Order are about. Perhaps you have to play a dirty game to win against dirty foes, but it feels like everything Leia would be against.

Yet, this seems to be the most plausible possibility because these scenes were leaked years ago to be on the filming schedule.

Rey finds the old Death Star

There is another piece of art in the book that shows the character that would eventually become Rey finding the Death Star in a sea or ocean on Endor.

It’s an interesting piece that didn’t get used as is in The Force Awakens. But, the opening sequence with Rey searching through the derelict ship on Jakuu was reminiscent of that.

However, if this were to be the case, how would finding the old Death Star change the course of Star Wars: Episode IX? What it bring her closer to Kylo Ren as they search for answers?

Anakin Force Ghost

Force ghosts in Star Wars: Episode IX have been rumored, speculated, teased and overwhelmingly talked about. But that doesn’t mean it will end.

While Dearth Vader was the villain in Episodes IV to VI, he was also redeemed at the end and we got an Anakin Skywalker Force ghost (in the remastered version). It’s quite possible that we could see him again as a way to talk to Rey or Kylo Ren.

The reality is, anything is possible, and we still have about a year until we find out exactly what will happen in Star Wars: Episode IX. But thanks to Peter Sciretta that doesn’t mean we won’t stop talking about it.

Star Wars: Episode IX is scheduled to release on December 20, 2019.