'Star Wars 9' theory: Mortis connection explains why Anakin must return
Is Anakin still the Chosen One?
Recently, Rise of Skywalker screenwriter Chris Terrio said the film “honors” the prophecy of the Chosen One. With that in mind comes a new fan theory connecting Episode IX to another Star Wars property, which explains exactly why Anakin Skywalker must return.
Warning: Speculation and discussion of previous leaks ahead for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
While we’ve known about Emperor Palpatine’s comeback for several months now, Anakin Skywalker’s return remains a bit of a wild card. However, that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating about how he could factor into Episode IX. One such theory builds upon the popular Making Star Wars leak that claims Palpatine will use Kylo Ren and Rey as a “dyad” to restore himself using Force energy, and combines it with existing Star Wars lore about Mortis.
Reddit user Veritasaletheia suggests that Anakin will help bring balance to the Force by convincing Kylo Ren and Rey that they can only defeat Palpatine by working together. Working to bring them together to defeat the galaxy’s greatest evil, Anakin fulfills the role of the Father from Mortis and the Chosen One. In a recently resurfaced interview, George Lucas clearly maintains that Anakin never lost that title.
Anakin tries to fight the Son of Mortis in 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'.
Mortis hasn’t yet been mentioned in the mainline films, and was first introduced in the animated series The Clone Wars. Essentially, it’s a spiritual realm that exists beyond normal human existence. It is home to three beings: the Father, the Son, and the Daughter. According to Wookieepedia, the three are locked in an “eternal struggle for dominance.” The Son is destructive, the Daughter creative, and the Father maintains the balance between them. During Clone Wars, Anakin visits Mortis and the Father recognizes him as the Chosen One.
A previous Rise of Skywalker theory suggested Rey could be the Daughter, leaving Kylo to fill the role of the Son. Veritasaletheia tweaks it by adding Anakin to the mix as the Father.
It’s a clever theory that connects back to past Star Wars canon to inform the plot and Anakin’s return in The Rise of Skywalker. After all, Anakin has yet to fulfill his prophesied fate. By fulfilling the role of the Father of Mortis, Anakin helps to bring the Force into balance without overshadowing Kylo and Rey. Everybody wins.
The Father, the Son, and the Daughter of Mortis.
What’s more, official footage from the film appears to show Rey holding the Dagger of Mortis, further suggesting this arcane nugget of Star Wars lore is about to become far more important. If Anakin does return as the Father, then it’s possible Kylo may finally get that long overdue face time with Darth Vader, after all.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters December 20, 2019.
