And which ones will be proven true in Episode VIII?
It’s been a long road since Episode VII was announced in 2012. After years of speculation, rumors, and fan theories, The Force Awakens is finally in theaters. But how many of those internet rumblings were true? How did the Star Wars community do in predicting the film or interpreting leaks?
Well, we’ve got your report card, guys. Curious to see how well you did, read on. We’re going to break it down rumor by rumor.
*SPOILERS FOR STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS BELOW*
Luke Skywalker Is Kylo Ren
Not even close. Honestly, we were surprised this theory gained as much traction as it did.
Kylo Ren and Rey are twins
It’s actually looking like it’s not the case. Kylo Ren/Ben Solo seems to be an only child.
Rey is Han and Leia’s daughter
Since Han and Leia never mentioned another child in addition to Ben, we’re willing to bet she’s not related to Han at all. It’s much more likely she’s Luke’s daughter.
Kylo Ren is Luke Skywalker’s son
Nope. This was a popular one (especially with us), but the filmmakers went with the other alternative…
Kylo Ren is Han Solo and Leia’s son
Right on the money. His name is Ben Solo.
Finn is Lando’s son
Not even close. The guy’s a First Order conscript.
The ghost of Obi-Wan will show up
He did! Though it’s hard to spot, Ewan McGregor recorded a new line for the film they melded with recordings of Sir Alec Guinness. The line appears during Rey’s vision when she touches Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber.
The ghost of Yoda Will show up
That too also happened (maybe). Yoda has a line in Rey’s vision as well.
The ghost of Palpatine will show up
Nope. This was an early rumor. Perhaps he did show up in an earlier version of the story, but not here.
Max Von Sydow will play an evil character with cybernetic enhancements
Nope. He was just a regular guy who wanted to help the Jedi.
Max Von Sydow will play an older Boba Fett or Kanan Jarrus
Both were wrong, unfortunately. He played a character named Lor San Tekka.
Luke Skywalker turned to the dark side
Nope. He’s just super sad.
The Inquisitors and the Knights of Ren are connected
No conclusive evidence either way, so this still could be true.
Kylo Ren is hunting Rey on Jakku
Nope. He’s tracking down the map of Luke Skywalker’s location.
Kylo Ren has the only lightsaber in the First Order
That could still be the case, but there’s no evidence in the film to make a definitive conclusion one way or the other.
The Republic and the Empire still exist
The Republic does, but the First Order is all that remains of the Empire. So, the theory was half right.
BB-8 is carrying the location of Starkiller base
Nope. He’s carrying part of a map leading to Luke Skywalker.
Luke Skywalker has become so powerful with the Force had can pick up mountains with his mind. He was so afraid of his power he exiled himself.
Maybe he has gotten that powerful, but the movie gave us no reason to believe that’s the case. Also, he went into exile because Ben Solo went evil and killed his other padawans.
Luke Skywalker was captured by Sith Inquisitors
Nope. He’s just in hiding.
Supreme Leader Snoke is Darth Plagueis
To be determined. We still don’t know much about the guy.
Rey’s staff belonged to Darth Plagueis
At this point, it’s pretty safe to say it’s just a regular staff.
The new trilogy will feature the redemption of Kylo Ren
The seeds are definitely there. We think this one will end up being true.
The Resistance base was on Yavin IV or Dantooine
Nope. It’s on a planet called D’Qar.
Finn stole Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber from the First Order
Alas, we were pretty wrong about this one. Rey finds it (inexplicably) at Maz Kanata’s castle but rejects it. Finn takes it for safe keeping.
Lupita Nyong’o is playing Obi-Wan Kenobi’s granddaughter
Nope. She’s playing Maz Kanata.
Lupita Nyong’o is playing a Sith inquisitor
See the answer above.
Domhnall Gleeson was playing Luke Skywalker’s son
Nope. He’s General Hux.
Starkiller base is powered by the Force
Alas, that is not the case. It sucks energy away from a nearby sun and spew it out at targets.
The Republic has a super weapon
Nope.
The story would return to Endor
It almost did, actually. At one point they were considering a plot point would be hidden in the wreckage of the second Death Star under Endor’s oceans.
The desert planet was Tatooine
Nope. It was Jakku.
Luke Skywalker was going to have a lightsaber duel with Kylo Ren
Actually, that was supposed to happen. However, they changed the story so they didn’t find Luke until the very end of the film. Here’s some leaked concept art on what that would have looked like:
Oscar Issac’s character would be the new owner of the Millennium Falcon
Well, it’s possible he may get it in the future but in this story he’s just a humble X-wing pilot.
Captain Phasma would use a lightsaber
It’s easy to see how that rumor got started, as Phama’s character design was originally pitched for Kylo Ren. But, she doesn’t seem like a Force user.
So, overall not many of the theories and rumors turned out to be true. Just goes to show you how well the filmmakers kept a lid on things!
