11 Star Wars Fan Theories That Actually Came True

April 20, 2024, 5 p.m.

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11 Star Wars Fan Theories That Actually Came True

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Summary Star Wars fan theories confirmed as canon include Darth Maul's return, Ahsoka's Order 66 survival, and Leia's Force-sensitivity.

Canonized fan theories have provided audiences the closure they were looking for.

Ahmed Best's appearance as Kelleran Beq showcases how fan theories can become reality in the Star Wars universe.

Although Star Wars fans have tossed out a number of shocking theories over the years, from Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé being in love to Rey being a Kenobi, these 11 fan theories were eventually confirmed to be canon. One of the most enjoyable aspects of Star Wars movies and TV shows is the extent to which the franchise keeps audiences in the dark. In fact, many of the best Star Wars movies have included the most surprising twists, the most prominent arguably being Darth Vader's Empire Strikes Back reveal that he was Luke Skywalker's father.

Star Wars' best TV shows have kept up that tradition, even retconning some of the most significant parts of the Star Wars timeline. While not all surprises have been pleasant—most notably the fact that, somehow, Palpatine returned in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker—several thrilling theories delighted audiences by becoming true. These 11 fan theories in particular reflect some of the biggest that, after considerable speculation, were canonized.

Related 6 Times Star Wars Retconned Its Own Timeline The Star Wars timeline has been in constant flux since George Lucas released the first movie - and here are some of the biggest and most curious.

11 Darth Maul Survived The Phantom Menace

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Darth Maul seemed quite dead after Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. After all, Obi-Wan had chopped his legs off, and, in classic Star Wars fashion, Maul then fell down a reactor shaft. However, many suspected that Darth Maul wasn't truly dead after all, particularly following Star Wars: The Clone Wars teasing his return. When the Jedi discovered Savage Opress, a Zabrak male bearing a striking resemblance to Darth Maul, Obi-Wan briefly thought it was him.

This became something of a red herring, as the Jedi insisted it couldn't be Maul. Ultimately, however, The Clone Wars revealed that Maul had in fact survived and was on a desperate hunt to get on Kenobi. Darth Maul went on to become a major character, taking over Mandalore for a time and then reappearing in both Star Wars Rebels and Solo: A Star Wars Story. While the character is now confirmed to be dead, this was an incredible example of Star Wars' willingness to bring characters back from the dead and feed fan theories.

This was an incredible example of Star Wars' willingness to bring characters back from the dead and feed fan theories.

10 Ahsoka Survived Order 66

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

As soon as Ahsoka Tano was introduced as Anakin Skywalker's Jedi Padawan in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie, audiences were concerned that this meant her imminent demise in light of Order 66 and Anakin's role in it. At first, this wasn't so troubling a possibility. Ahsoka was new to Star Wars, and audiences weren't initially very fond of her. Many found her to be a bit annoying, ironically for mirroring many of Anakin's own flaws, such as entitlement and sarcasm.

Many found her to be a bit annoying, ironically for mirroring many of Anakin's own flaws, such as entitlement and sarcasm.

Over time, though, her popularity grew significantly, which made the seeming certainty of her death more distressing. The fact that Ahsoka didn't appear in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith seemed only to confirm that this fate was coming, and Dave Filoni has since even revealed that at one point he planned to kill her off. However, perhaps because of her growing popularity, Filoni dropped the idea.

Instead, as many hoped and some fans suspected, Ahsoka became one of the survivors of Order 66, going on to appear in Rebels, The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and her own show. Given the upcoming Ahsoka season 2, it seems her popularity in the franchise remains. It's lucky, then, that this fan theory turned out to be true; Star Wars' upcoming shows seem increasingly tied to Ahsoka and her future in the franchise.

9 Obi-Wan And Darth Vader Had Another Battle Before A New Hope

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Audiences had long expressed some confusion over the dialogue in A New Hope that suggested Darth Vader and Obi-Wan had another encounter following their epic battle on Mustafar. Particularly because Vader tells Obi-Wan, "We meet again at last," it seemed some part of the narrative was missing. While, yes, technically Obi-Wan had fought Darth Vader, he still seemed more like Anakin than like the Sith Lord of the original trilogy. Not only in appearance but also in motivations and lamentations, Anakin, not Vader, seemed to fight Obi-Wan on Mustafar.

Not only in appearance but also in motivations and lamentations, Anakin, not Vader, seemed to fight Obi-Wan on Mustafar.

In light of that, fans suspected that some meeting had occurred between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope wherein the two fought yet again. Luckily, this fan theory was confirmed in the Obi-Wan Kenobi show. The limited series not only brought back fan favorites Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen but also provided some of the best Anakin/Vader and Obi-Wan scenes to date, providing closure that hadn't yet come.

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8 The Prequel Trilogy Characters Would Be Back

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Coinciding with the suspicion that Darth Vader and Obi-Wan had another battle was the theory (and strong hope) that McGregor and Christensen would reprise their roles. Not only did they return for the Obi-Wan Kenobi show, but Christensen also made his second return in the Ahsoka series. However, not every prequel trilogy character has been back.

Notably, Natalie Portman hasn't returned as Padmé. This would be slightly more difficult for Star Wars to execute because, unlike Anakin and Obi-Wan, Padmé died at the end of Revenge of the Sith. Moreover, Padmé didn't have the Force, so she could not return in some of the creative ways other characters have. However, if Star Wars can make Darth Maul, Boba Fett, and Emperor Palpatine's resurrections make sense, surely Padmé could make a reappearance in some form.

7 Darth Vader Tried To Resurrect Padmé

Darth Vader #22

It seems Darth Vader made several attempts to bring Padmé back, which could have provided audiences with the long-hoped-for return of Portman to Star Wars. In the Star Wars canon comic book Darth Vader #22 by Charles Soule, Vader specifically attempted to resurrect his wife. This makes sense, given that Vader's entire effort in Revenge of the Sith that led him down the path to the dark side was driven by his desperation to save Padmé's life. When he had already destroyed the Jedi and ruined the life he'd had, resurrecting Padmé would surely become his one focus.

Purchase Darth Vader #22

Related What If Darth Vader Had Succeeded In Resurrecting Padmé? Darth Vader never gave up trying to resurrect his beloved Padmé - and the Star Wars saga would have turned out very differently had he succeeded.

Cruelly, Palpatine yet again exploits this desperation, telling Vader, "Perhaps the dark side will bring her back to you." Of course, this doesn't ultimately come to be. However, that Darth Vader tried to resurrect Padmé at all fulfills the fan theory that this certainly would have been a next step for him following the tragedies in Revenge of the Sith.

6 The Death Star Was Made Poorly On Purpose

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was a brilliant inclusion in the franchise. As one of few Star Wars movies that focuses on narratives outside the core Skywalker Saga, Rogue One revealed the steps leading up to the destruction of the Death Star in A New Hope. Shockingly, one of the key steps came not from a Skywalker nor even from a Jedi, but rather from an average human hoping to help the Rebel cause.

Galen Erso, father of Rogue One protagonist Jyn Erso, was forced back into working for the Empire, building the Death Star against his will. However, as a rebellious act that changed everything, he built in a weak spot on the Death Star and revealed the information to the Rebels through his daughter Jyn. Although Luke's destruction of the Death Star in A New Hope remains a great feat in Star Wars, audiences had long found the moment a bit too easy, making this plan by Galen the perfect answer to a prominent fan theory.

Jyn Erso Created By John Knoll Cast Felicity Jones First Appearance Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Alliance Rebel Alliance

5 Rosario Dawson Would Play Ahsoka In Live Action

The Mandalorian

Star Wars audiences enjoy guessing who will be cast in upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows, but perhaps no casting has been so accurately guessed as Rosario Dawson playing the live-action Ahsoka. Rumors had flown online for quite some time before Star Wars revealed that Dawson would be playing Ahsoka in her live-action debut in The Mandalorian. While voice actress Ashley Eckstein will always have a special place in Star Wars audiences' hearts as the first Ahsoka, Dawson has taken up the torch beautifully.

In fact, Dawson has just seen Ahsoka through one of the character's most critical arcs, as she encountered Anakin in the World Between Worlds and needed to face her traumatizing past and her perception of herself as a Jedi (or not one). Despite never acting opposite Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, Dawson perfectly captured Ahsoka's pain, affection for Anakin, and lingering conflict. This is yet another happy example of Star Wars canonizing a popular fan theory.

4 Leia Had The Force

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Leia's connection to the Force had been a puzzling mystery since the original Star Wars trilogy. Multiple major hints had been dropped that she too was Force-sensitive and had the potential to become a Jedi just as her twin, Luke, had, yet it was never confirmed. Not only does Leia seemingly use the Force to find Luke in The Empire Strikes Back, but also, both Yoda and Darth Vader reference her potential. In The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda revealed that there was "another," and in Return of the Jedi, Vader taunted Luke by saying perhaps Leia would join him.

However, it wasn't until The Rise of Skywalker that Leia's full potential in the Force was revealed. Tragically, this story arc was reduced significantly because of Princess Leia actress Carrie Fisher's sudden passing prior to production, but the movie still proved fans right about Leia's Force-sensitivity. Not only had she trained under Luke, but Leia also became Rey's Jedi Master.

3 Rey's Parents Weren't "Nobody"

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

One of the biggest mysteries of the Star Wars sequel trilogy was Rey's parentage. From Star Wars: The Force Awakens through the majority of The Rise of Skywalker, Rey's exact lineage was unclear, with many red herrings in between. At first, fan theories consisted of the many prominent Star Wars characters to whom Rey could have been related, presumably following in the footsteps of Luke and Leia being Darth Vader's children and even Ben Solo being Han Solo and Leia's son.

This led to widespread speculation, ranging from Rey being Luke's daughter to Obi-Wan's granddaughter. However, Star Wars: The Last Jedi surprised audiences with Kylo Ren's assertion that Rey's parents were instead "nobody." Fan theories quickly spiraled about this being a misdirection, although few predicted that Rey would be a Palpatine (at least in blood). While Rey being a Palpatine descendant did address the fan theory that Kylo Ren's assertion wasn't the final word in Rey's origins, it wasn't quite the answer many wanted.

2 Finn Was Force-Sensitive

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Before The Force Awakens was even released, many believed Finn to be Force-sensitive. In part, this was not a fan-generated idea. Instead, promotional materials for the first installment in the sequel trilogy showed Finn gripping Anakin's blue lightsaber. Although he did hold the weapon at the end of the movie when fighting Kylo Ren, that ended up being a one-off. Rather than becoming a Jedi, Finn was sidelined throughout the sequels, becoming little more than a character dedicated to Rey.

Rather than becoming a Jedi, Finn was sidelined throughout the sequels, becoming little more than a character dedicated to Rey.

Interestingly, Finn was confirmed to be Force-sensitive in The Rise of Skywalker, employing Force intuition throughout the movie and persistently hoping to tell Rey a secret—presumably that he had the Force. While this did address the fan theory that he was Force-sensitive, it may have been too little too late. While Rey's upcoming Star Wars movie opens the door for Finn to develop into a true Jedi, it's unclear whether John Boyega will return to Star Wars after feeling quite burned by the sequels.

1 Kelleran Beq Rescues Grogu From The Jedi Temple

The Mandalorian

Few can say they anticipated Ahmed Best's return to Star Wars, but one impressive post on X from 2020 proves that at least one fan had a hunch. Ahmed Best was first cast as Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Sadly, Best faced unfair and often scathing backlash for the role. However, he made an incredible return in The Mandalorian Chapter 20: "The Foundling" when he appeared as Kelleran Beq, the Jedi who saved Grogu from Order 66.

This incredible redemption arc was theorized by keldorjedii on X (then Twitter), as perhaps the best example of fan theories coming true. Shockingly, this speculation was posted three years before Best would debut as Kelleran Beq.

Of all the fan theories that have become canon, this is likely the best. Not only is this an incredible example of fan intuition, but it also marks one of the best updates Star Wars has ever given. Many prequel trilogy actors, Hayden Christensen and Jake Lloyd also prominent among them, received harsh criticism. Not every actor who received this treatment has been brought back, but it's clear that Star Wars is working to ameliorate some of the damage done. While this may be the best example, though, these 11 Star Wars theories that have been canonized are each incredible.

Source: keldorjedii

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