Read Part 1 First: Part 1
Part
2: Rise of Skywalker Predictions and Fan Reactions: (Minor Spoilers might play)
My
predictions here go beyond theory. They are the result of a lot of research,
but they also are derived on a few subjective assumptions. The first being that
Lucas is much more involved in the core story and even the details than people
realize. (I made my argument for this above). The second is that the conditions
Lucas set forth to follow was to complete the monomyth of Joseph Campbell. Some
of my predictions do involve scraps of the leaks that have made it to my brain,
but more than that, that the ultimate goal of episode 9 is to tie the entire
saga together. I conclude these predictions with how I think the fandom can
best move forward positively.
1. These films are built around the identity of Rey. (Anakin = Chosen One = Rey)
Subconsciously, I think the fandom always knew this, even though we argued for a little bit over whether Kylo Ren was telling the truth about the “your parents are nobodies” thing. (Just like we argued over if Vader was truthful, and how we were meant to argue if Dooku was being truthful about a Sith Lord running the Republic. If the story wasn’t obvious because it was a prequel and we knew how things turned out.)
We know deep down the question has not been answered once and for all, and identity is Rey’s main motivator. She wants “To find her place in all of this.”
Oddly, the fact we know this trilogy is ultimately about Rey discovering her identity does not curb the word “Mary Sue” being thrown at her from detractors. Even though her power and skill in the force (despite a lack of training) should be considered deliberate to the story, many refuse to see it as anything but a misplaced desire to have an ultra-powerful female lead Star Wars as the main character. Rey’s gender is part of the motif of balance – but that’s another essay.
The lightsaber vision from The Force Awakens and the Mirror Vision from The Last Jedi are connected and are meant to lead the audience to the true answer.
Rey, in some way, is connected to Anakin. I maintain she is a resurrected Anakin due to the Star Wars monomyth not being complete with a true in-the-flesh resurrected hero. Regardless of an actual physical chosen one repeating throughout time being declared or only hinted like Darth Plaguis the Wise creating life, the connection will NOT be genetic, but mystical . . . through the force. Either a reborn soul or a connected chosen one infinite knowledge, does not matter. Rey is the force incarnate, and Anakin will NOT appear as a force ghost as a result.
How will the fandom react?
Mostly positive. It will be a realization that the sequel trilogy has indeed all been connected, but not only that, the entire saga. I maintain that the truth of her identity is still safely hidden, even from leaks by a similar “Obi Wan killed your father” bait and switch.
2. Ben Solo will be Redeemed and will LIVE.
Ben Solo became the generational representative of Lucas’s broad vision, where he wanted three generations of Skywalkers fighting the same evil. (1). Although his vision updated to include midichlorians and the mysterious Whills (taken from the original title of Star Wars – the Journal of the Whils.) the desire Lucas had for the final battle to take place on a spiritual plane of existence will remain intact.
Many people do not want to see him redeemed, and many more who would be fine with his redemption do not want to see him live. This was the reason for multiple leaks on this subject. (Again, none of which I read; I just had the subject thrust in my face). One thing is clear to me – the results of the redemption changed. They could go either way at this point as far as I am concerned. Disney wanted to know how fans would react to a variety of scenarios. We will get what they decided would please the most people.
Unless they listen to Lucas and decide enough people will be happy with his vision. If they do, Ben Solo will live. As for his redemption, this is Star Wars so redemption is 100 percent. The movie is called “Rise of Skywalker.” – and like many Star Wars titles it has a few meanings.
How will the fandom react?
Divided. The movie will attempt to show how Han Solo’s sacrifice directly allowed for Ben Solo to be redeemed at all, but many will miss the mythology / fantasy of it because of their adult sense of justice. They will be unable to return to that 12-year-old point of view.
Young fans will love it unanimously.
3. Reylo
I think they pretty much gave away with trailers and movie promotion that Reylo won’t be a romantic thing, which is odd considering all the sexual tension of The Last Jedi (to include literal rape metaphors by Snoke).
The point of Reylo is probably something that was considered and abandoned, as it would be difficult to both have Rey connect the saga and not have it be weird that she was technically spiritually (but not genetically) related to Kylo Ren / Ben Solo.
Still, Reylo will serve as a reminder of the type of relationship Anakin and Padme had, but by the end will move on to a more equal and balanced, rather than codependent / abusive relationship. Just not in a romantic way – but in that fantasy way only Star Wars can achieve.
How will the fandom react?
Negatively. Because Rey’s identity will block the romantic side, shippers will be upset. However, feminists might read the wrong message as to the abusive nature of the relationship if they only glance over the film, and even non-shippers will notice a huge plot hole. At first, people will be upset, but in time it will become a running Star Wars joke just like how Luke kissed his sister.
4. Force Ghosts and Dark Rey
Some of this is tainted with a few leaks which reach my brain unwillingly – so some spoilers beware – but I only have fragments to add to my own long held theories.
Much of the final confrontation will be on the spiritual plane of existence. To reach the “cave” or “underworld” (to quote the monomyth) Rey and Ben solo will have to journey through a spiritual realm of light into one of darkness. Ben will become lost in this darkness, with Rey trying to fish him out.
On the light side Rey will meet Leia, Luke, and even Han. Possibly Obi wan. She will converse with Luke and possibly Leia.
Counter to this, (based on limited leak knowledge) Ben Solo will be shown Dark Anakin / Vader, (a holdover from The Force Awakens) and possibly other Sith Lords like Darth Maul . . . but it will be unclear if he is seeing these people is real or just a vision. Palpatine will then emerge for real.
In order to reach Ben, Rey will have to embrace her dark nature and thus we get Dark Rey. On the verge of being redeemed, Ben will see Han who will also have descended into the darkness after his son. Luke and Leia force ghosts become instrumental in the final defeat of Palpatine.
How will the fandom react?
Mixed. I say mixed because I don’t think many people will outright hate whatever gets done with force ghosts, but rather it will be a reflection of how they liked some of the other main answers to their questions. I think a lot of people will be disappointed if they don’t see Anakin or if Anakin isn’t “real” – but that again will be a reflection of how they like who Rey is.
Many will just be glad to have Luke, Leia, and potentially Han in one more moment together. Han would be the big surprise . . .but I really think he’s going to be there because “spirit plane” etc.
5. Palpatine / Snoke was always the plan
I suspect most of what got leaked about Palpatine is totally true, except for anything he might have to do with Rey’s identity. Palpatine’s “contingency” plan has been well documented in all Star Wars cannon released by Disney since well before the Force Awakens, so this has been in the works from the start.
I suspect the Mandalorian show has more details on Palpatine’s return, and thus the reason we are getting filler episodes until the release of Rise of Skywalker.
(Moving beyond what I know of the leaks) Palpatine preserved himself horcrux style in a Sith Artifact, and is attempting to manipulate the midichlorians (or something) maybe bringing Rey and Ben together, to allow his full resurrection and immortality.
Snoke was literal vessel for Palpatine’s spirit for a time.
How will the fandom react?
Mostly Positive. People are going to like it. They are conditioned for this type of return through Voldemort. Palpatine will be menacing and full of fan service, and even if Rey doesn’t connect the whole saga for people, he will.
It might be of some minor importance whether people think he was a last-minute change, or planned from the start, but I think in time the evidence will reach enough people that people won’t doubt him being planned out.
This will also redeem the Snoke death and lack of explanation for many Last Jedi detractors, but it won’t solve all their problems.
Conclusion
Can a fandom change, unite, become less toxic?
I like to think so. I think this exercise with Star Wars has taught us much in regards to how we relate to each other online. Some of us have learned to be more patient, and realize that just because opinions vary, they are not your enemy and are not bad people.
This is much harder to learn with some of the political discussions these days, as we tend to gravitate toward our camp.
But with Star Wars, there is still just one camp. We all love this story. We all have a tendency to compartmentalize the parts we like the best. Some people might cut themselves off from the rest of the fandom, but in general its no fun to do so.
I have to believe this will be an example of why patience, and waiting for a story to play out before you judge it as whole can be a good and positive exercise. I think some change will be immediate as realization hits.
For others, the creator himself I think is going to have to step in and tell the whole story his involvement in how these movies got made.
George Lucas comes Forward
No author can resist. It won’t happen for a few years (if it happens at all) because it will take a while for the internet to re-posture and redraw its battle lines. There will be some fights after Rise of Skywalker, but in general I don’t think they will last for years like The Last Jedi because the there will be nothing left to argue about. No more unresolved theories. No more
Overall the Rise of Skywalker will be mostly positively received, unless Reylo or Ben solo dying in the end was really important to you. Some people will love whatever happens with force ghosts, and some will find it too childish.
Once the dust has settled and the memes popular like the prequels, if Lucas is still alive he will tell the full story of his involvement, more on what he wished Disney would have done, and what ideas he was able to force them to follow (or which they respected).
Rey the Mary Sue
I don’t think this point of view will ever go away completely, but it will decline significantly.
The Triumph of Star Wars
This is our modern myth. It will last generations to come. More stories will be told, more movies and TV shows made but everything will basically be spin off from now on. Disney will learn to pace themselves and keep it special. (They’ve learned already)
In the end the fandom will be balanced, just like the force.
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