'Star Wars 9' theory says Anakin could return, thanks to Palpatine's occult trickery
Force ghost Anakin has some unfinished business with Palps.
As the Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker was meant to bring balance to the Force, but he died before he managed to complete this formidable task. Exactly why the Force was imbalanced remains a point of contention among Star Wars fans. Still, the mystical nature of Anakin’s birth, and why Emperor Palpatine worked so hard to sway him to the Dark side, reinforces the idea that something is amiss with the Force and must be made right.
With Palpatine set to return in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, an intriguing new theory tackles what the Force imbalance is, and makes a case for Anakin’s return.
Warning! Speculative spoilers ahead for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
In Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine explains that his master, Darth Plagueis, used the Force to influence “midi-chlorians to create life”.
Likewise, in the Star Wars comic Darth Vader #25, we learn Darth Sidious himself made use of the Dark side to influence Anakin Skywalker while still inside the womb. Redditor u/TheSlightlyOddGuy contends that this is where the Force imbalance stems from and is the reason behind Anakin’s rumored return in The Rise of Skywalker .
Does Anakin have some unfinished business with Palps?
“The imbalance is Plagueis and Sidious’s attempts to use the Force in order to create life. That such an act has resounding waves within the Force,” the theorist writes.
Although it’s never been confirmed in canon, this theory offers an intriguing explanation for the Force imbalance. Moreover, if Anakin’s sole reason was to restore the Force and he died before that could happen, this unfinished business might be the key to his return in The Rise of Skywalker.
What’s more, considering the strong connection between Palpatine and Anakin throughout Star Wars history, it would be prudent for Darth Vader to join the comeback train. It’s possible Anakin’s spirit senses Palps’ resurrection and returns as a Force ghost to help restore balance to the Force. After all, there’s canon proof that Anakin kept contact with Luke Skywalker post-mortem, bolstering the possibility of his return in Episode IX even more.
There’s also a chance that Palps and Anakin are so connected that one Sith’s return automatically means the other must join him. What if Anakin didn’t realize what the imbalance was until after he died? Whatever the case, the Force is still in bad shape. There’s no better time for Anakin to fulfill his role as the Chosen One than in Episode IX, closing out the Skywalker Saga for good.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is in theaters December 20, 2019.
