'Star Wars: Episode IX' Plot Rumor Channels 'Knights of the Old Republic'

A totally wild new rumor about the plot for Star Wars: Episode IX makes it sound like the film will borrow a significant plot point from the non-canon Knights of the Old Republic era, specifically a superpowered weapon used by Darth Revan during the Jedi Civil War that took place almost 4,000 years before the Battle of Yavin in A New Hope.

On May 3, a redditor going by FOOSLS posted to the /r/starwarsspeculation/ subreddit claiming to “have read a very early storyboard for Episode IX.” Supposedly, Episode IX happens five years after The Last Jedi. “The Resistance is no longer centralized and is not a popular idea among the galaxy,” writes FOOSLS. “Kylo Ren’s rule over the galaxy is seen by most as benevolent.” This leads many to question the Resistance’s fight, but things change after a First Order mole leads the Resistance to discover “the secret to the First Order’s unlimited resources, an ancient manufacturing station literally powered by the populations of conquered worlds of the unknown regions.” For any fans of the non-canon Old Republic era of the Star Wars Legends, then this probably sounds pretty similar to the Star Forge designed to manufacture the most powerful army the galaxy had ever seen.

Admittedly, the Star Forge does function quite differently. By drawing energy from a nearby star, the mobile Star Forge channels the Force and can manufacture a seemingly endless supply of ships, droids, and other war material. It’s a massive mobile space station (but still smaller than even the original Death Star) that also feeds on the Dark side of the Force and corrupts its users. Episode IX’s supposed “ancient manufacturing station” is instead hidden under the surface of an ocean planet, but the function and scope are seemingly the same. Perhaps this new station harnesses the power of the planet’s core?

“This entire A plot revolves around liberating the captives before they are exterminated and exposing these horrors to the galaxy at large,” FOOSLS also writes. “This plot is resolved with the Unknown Regions becoming united and preparing for war with the known regions.” It would seem that the First Order uses thousands of slaves to man the station, but they keep this a secret.

It’s worth noting that the Star Wars: Battlefront II DLC leading up to The Last Jedi — which is very much so canon — sends Iden Versio’s daughter Zay out to the Unknown Regions to connect with Resistance allies. Could this be related in some fashion if these rumors turn out to be true? The same DLC also revealed that as part of something called “Project Resurrection,” the First Order had been abducting Outer Rim children like Finn for decades and forcing them to become stormtroopers. Who’s to say they weren’t forcing others into a different kind of slavery?

These “leaks” from FOOSLS also mention that Rey and Kylo Ren’s relationship is ongoing via their Force connection, but Rey also has a child with someone else. Tons of new Force users also come out of hiding and join the Resistance, mainly because Kylo Ren hunts them down with the Knights of Ren. Much of this seems a bit farfetched, but FOOSLS did point out that his previous The Last Jedi speculation turned out to be close to the truth.

So take all this with a hefty amount of suspicion, but don’t be surprised when some of these details might turn out closer to the truth than you might think on first glance.