6 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Predictions That Could Actually Come True

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated films of the year, stirring considerable fan enthusiasm and theorization ahead of its release. In keeping with this idea, here are six predictions that may actually come true when the movie hits theaters on Dec. 20, 2019.

1. Snoke’s Other Apprentice

Though it was thought that Kylo Ren was Supreme Leader Snoke’s only apprentice, a magazine called The Souvenir Guide to the Movie Star Wars: The Last Jedi, found via the Star Wars Insider app, revealed the villain had “at least one other apprentice”--leaving a massive thread dangling before The Rise of Skywalker. For our money, this revelation is too big to not include in the film.

2. The Knights of Ren Actors Revealed

Teased briefly in The Force Awakens, the Knights of Ren remain another lingering mystery. And, fittingly, there are some noteworthy actors whose roles are still enigmas--namely Dominic Monaghan, who will appear in an unannounced role. We’re betting that Monaghan’s character will play into the Knights of Ren somehow.

3. More Billie Lourd

While Billie Lourd appeared in the previous two Star Wars films alongside her late mother Carrie Fisher, we predict that her character, Lieutenant Connix, will take a larger position in the Episode IX. Director J.J. Abrams has alluded to scenes between Lourd and Fisher, and we’re betting that there will be even more than that.

4. No New Republic

While the end of the film will presumably see the fall of the First Order, we’re theorizing that the postwar world won't include another New Republic. With one of the major themes of the sequel franchise being reckoning with the past and moving on from it, it only makes sense that a different sort of society will emerge.

5. Luke's Ghost

Shots from the film reveal that Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) will make an appearance, and not just as a hazy blue Force Ghost. We’re not sure whether this simply means a redesign of the Force Ghosts or if it signals a greater fate for Luke, but we’re excited to find out.

6. Rey's Parents

J.J. Abrams has confirmed that there’s “more” to the story of Rey’s parentage, and we’re putting our money behind a bold new theory that says that Rey is actually a clone of Luke, created by Emperor Palpatine in a secret lab on Jakku. Though it sounds far-fetched, it’s actually built on solid ground, as detailed here.