'Star Wars 9' Leaks Reveal How Snoke Leads Kylo to Emperor Palpatine
The dead Supreme Leader could play a bigger role in 'Rise of Skywalker' than you think.
by Mae AbdulbakiStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is approaching at lightspeed and the closer it gets, the more questions fans have about Kylo Ren’s role in the final chapter of the Skywalker saga. Popular theories have speculated that Kylo could redeem himself, be visited by the Force ghosts of his deceased family, or even be a double agent, but a new Episode IX leak suggests the man formerly known as Ben Solo could play a major in bringing Emperor Palpatine back to life thanks to his old (dead) master, Supreme Leader Snoke. Confused? Let’s dive in.
Warning! Possible spoilers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker below.
On Monday, Rise of Skywalker scoop factory MakingStarWars’ posted a video discussing Episode IX. The video is packed full of alleged new info, but the most interesting bit details how Snoke could play a role in Kylo and Palpatine’s initial meeting.
Will Snoke inadvertantly lead Kylo straight to Palpatine?
According to MSW editor Jason Ward, Kylo might be in search of how Snoke became so knowledgeable about the Dark side and how he amassed enough power to control the First Order. However, he states that this is an implication rather than from an actual source, with Ward stringing together previous reports and leaks to come to this possible conclusion. Still, Kylo finding out about Palpatine by way of Snoke makes a whole lot of sense and connects both characters without relying on the idea that they’ve been working together this whole time — or even that Snoke was actually Palps in disguise of
“I think [Kylo] is trying to find out what Snoke knew … and what was out there. And that’s how … Kylo ends up learning pretty early on that Palpatine is back and how they encounter one another,” says Ward.
Kylo Ren has long been smitten with the idea of power. And while he’s studied under Snoke’s tutelage for many years, it was clear that the two had a very contentious relationship. Still, if the rumors of Kylo leading the Sith Fleet have any truth to them, then Kylo would want to uncover the secrets behind Snoke’s power to take over himself. However, if he accidentally discovers Palpatine during his investigation of Snoke’s past, that would pit the characters against each other in an organic way.
Kylo Ren wants to lead and he could look to Snoke's past to do it.
Additionally, Kylo crossing paths with Palpatine so early on might lead him to forego his plans to lead the Sith Fleet and the First Order for the time being. After all, the only way to take control over the First Order is to ensure Palps is defeated first, right? Kylo won’t get any respect as a Sith lord if Star Wars’ most important villain is running around trying to regain power. Perhaps Kylo will also realize that he can’t possibly defeat Palps on his own and enlists the help of Rey, Finn, and the Resistance.
The new information potentially connects Snoke to Palpatine as well. If Kylo is going in search of Snoke’s power and that’s how he finds Palpatine, does that mean that Snoke inherited his power from the Emperor? Either way, this leak definitely adds a new dimension to Kylo and Palpatine’s future relationship in The Rise of Skywalker.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters December 20, 2019.
