Star Wars: Taking a look at the latest The Rise of Skywalker title theory

A Reddit user came up with an interesting theory as to what the meaning of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’s title may mean. Does it have legs?

With a little over six months to go until the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, we should be in store for a summer filled with plenty of theories and speculation.

One of the latest theories that emerged is based on the meaning behind Episode IX’s title, and it’s quite interesting. Of course, this is all speculation and just simply a theory. There’s no confirmed truth to this point. However, if it does end up being true, here’s your warning for a potential spoiler ahead.

More from Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

Reddit user u/vadrr21 has come up with an interesting theory as to why Episode IX is called Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

First, the user discusses why “Skywalker” in Episode IX’s title does not refer to force sensitive beings, despite potential theories.

"The Skywalker in the title ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ is not referring to a new order of force wielders because it doesn’t make sense grammatically. For example, if one replaces Skywalker with Jedi or Sith in the title, it doesn’t make sense with a prepositional ‘the’ in it. ‘The Rise Of Jedi’ or ‘ The Rise Of Sith’ are not correct, ‘The Rise of The Jedi’ and ‘The Rise of The Sith’ are. Plus, the word ‘Skywalker’ clearly refers to a singular entity or person. Therefore we can completely dismiss the new order theory."

The Reddit user continued, and addressed which Skywalker they believe the title is referring to. In fact, it’s not the Skywalker most fans are probably thinking about.

"Now to determine who the Skywalker is, I will be explaining from both a story perspective and a directorial perspective who this Skywalker is.Anakin Skywalker is indeed the Skywalker being mentioned.From a directorial perspective, it makes sense. The team had the confidence to reveal Palpatine’s return; which could have been a major twist in the movie, 8 months before it’s release. Meaning they have bigger surprises in stock. What is bigger than Palpatine’s return, Anakin’s return."

This is a valid point here, as it was quite interesting for those involved in Star Wars to reveal before the movie even hit theaters that Palpatine would be making a return in some capacity. Palpatine’s return was a massive reveal for Episode IX’s teaser, but perhaps the film has an even bigger character return that can’t be discovered until the movie hits theaters, as the Reddit user points out. That reveal being the return of Anakin Skywalker, and it may be spelled out to fans in the title of the film.

u/vadrr21 concluded on this theory, saying:

"What is Anakin’s title? The Chosen One. And what is The Chosen One’s Prophecy? To bring balance to the force. How did Anakin fulfill his prophecy? By “killing” the Emperor. But wait, Palpatine is clearly not gone, so that means Anakin didn’t complete his prophecy. Anakin still has to complete his Prophecy. He will complete it in EPIX by ending the greatest evil in the galaxy that seizes to die."

So lastly, this Reddit user is looking at Anakin’s prophecy as the Chosen One. If Anakin’s prophecy is to bring balance to the force and destroy Palpatine, then he’s yet to fulfill this prophecy (as this Reddit user points out) because we know the Emperor will have some sort of return in Episode IX.

Overall, this theory is trying to prove that the Skywalker that’s being referred to in Episode IX’s title is Anakin Skywalker, as he will rise to destroy Palpatine according to this Reddit user.

If Anakin Skywalker were to return, one can expect him to be portrayed by Hayden Christensen. Of course, Christensen played Anakin in both Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.

So, perhaps Anakin Skywalker has some unfinished business that he will complete in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. It certainly would be cool to see Anakin’s return, and there has been speculation over the past few years that he would return to Star Wars films. This could be the perfect opportunity for an Anakin return.

Only time will tell.

Let me know in the comments below what you think about this theory. Do you think the Skywalker being mentioned in Episode IX’s title is referring to Anakin Skywalker?