It seems like you can’t visit a geek-related website without coming across someone’s theory regarding the identity of Supreme Leader Snoke.
The enigmatic enemy established in Star Wars: The Force Awakens immediately inspired countless conspiracies when the movie premiered in theaters, with fans spinning theories and debating the character’s true identity.
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Some of those theories are more than obvious while others are quite the stretch, with few ranging in between. But talk to any Star Wars fan after seeing The Force Awakens, and chances are they have an idea of who they think the leader of the First Order actually is.
We’re not here today to posit our own ideas or verify the evidence that already exists. We’re not even here to cast doubt on what’s out there โ in fact, one of the theories we have on this here list might actually turn out to be true (we doubt it.)
These are just some of the worst Snoke theories simply because of how implausible, how predictable, and how boring they are.
Darth Plagueis
Did you ever hear the tragedy of the ‘Snoke is Plagueis’ theory? I thought not. It’s not a story Pablo Hidalgo would tell you. It’s a Reddit legend.
Probably the most popular theory regarding Supreme Leader Snoke’s true identity goes back to a scene in the prequel film Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. In it, Chancellor Palpatine explains the legend of his own Sith Master and his downfall, precipitated by his arcane knowledge of cheating death and creating life.
The legend serves to push Anakin Skywalker further to the Dark Side in his attempts to rescue Padme from her prophesized death, but it also reveals that Plagueis discovered the secret of immortality โ that is, before Palpatine killed him. Or maybe he didn’t? At least, that’s what this Snoke theory suggests.
Maybe Plagueis found a way to come back, explaining the decay and scars on Snoke’s face. There’s also the physical appearance, in which Plagueis description in his titular (and canon) novel where he is said to be of the Muun species. The description and depiction isn’t far off from Snoke’s own โ they are both slender and gaunt, but Plagueis lacks certain features present on Snoke.
But that petty physical description aside, the theory is bad because it’s boring. It’s a less inspired version of Chekov’s Gun that would prove Lucasfilm’s Story Group is simply phoning it in, not interested in telling new stories.
So, please, let’s leave the Plagueis tragedy in the time of the Republic and move on.
Emperor Palpatine
This one is possibly even more boring than the Plagueis theory, but even more than that it would undermine everything George Lucas did in the movies he actually had control of โ and Kathleen Kennedy isn’t going to play her mentor like that.
The theory is that, obviously, Palpatine survived the fatal toss from Vader into the Death Star’s core AND managed to escape the super weapon’s destruction.
Sure, the movies could probably whip up some Sith-powered explanation for the escape, but why? How would that possibly push the narrative forward in a trilogy that is more interested in telling new stories with similar themes?
Palpatine’s death served as a greater resolution for Darth Vader’s character and, to a lesser extent, Luke Skywalker’s. Though the edits and alterations to Return of the Jedi downplayed Luke’s temptation from the Dark Side, those themes were still prevalent in the final confrontation in the Emperor’s throne room, but instead they served to support Vader’s return to goodness.
Making Palpatine into Snoke would only subvert the characters’ journeys throughout six movies and would be quite the Scooby Doo development.
Ezra Bridger
Let’s put it this way: making Ezra Bridger become Supreme Leader Snoke would be like if Marvel introduced Thanos in an episode of Agents of SHIELD. Not only is it stupid, but it’s a sure way to perplex a majority of the audience.
The purpose of the extended universe stories is to richen the lore that surrounds the films, not be intrinsic to it.
George Lucas didn’t drop a bombshell in Return of the Jedi that required fans to have first read “Splinter of the Mind’s Eye,” and Lucasfilm didn’t make some grand reveal in the Clone Wars that was necessary for fans to understand Revenge of the Sith.
Some people want to be rewarded for their devotion to all aspects of their favorite franchise โ and that’s fine! But don’t expect anything other than an appearance from Saw Gerrera or Grand Admiral Thrawn with a wink and a nod toward the canon already established.
Bridger would be fine and dandy if the character had any other significance established in the wider lore outside of Star Wars Rebels, but as it stands he’s just a whiney kid from Lothal dealing with a lot of the same confusions as a whiney kid from Tatooine.
Mace Windu
Ok, this one is just the worst. No, stop, Mace Windu is dead, and we don’t want to hear any more of it.
Next you’ll tell us you think Rey is Palpatine’s granddaughter. HAHAHAHA-*cough* ahem, what?
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Did we happen to list your favorite Snoke theory? Maybe it’s time to scour the message boards and find another oneโฆ
Star Wars: The Last Jedi premieres December 15.
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Star Wars: The Lastย Jediย is the second film in the newย Star Warsย sequel trilogy that began withย Star Wars: The Force Awakensย in 2015. The film will deal with Luke training Rey to become a, and possibly the last, Jedi. Meanwhile, the Resistance, including Poe Dameron and First Order defector Finn, continues to fight against the First Order, led by General Hux, whileย Supreme Leader Snokeย and his Dark Side followerย Kylo Renย continue their mysterious plot.
Star Wars: The Lastย Jedi is written and directed byย Rian Johnsonย and starsย Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher,ย Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley,ย John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupitaย Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels,ย Gwendoline Christie,ย Andy Serkis, Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, and Kelly Marie Tran.
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