There isn’t a day when people aren’t talking about Star Wars. Whether we’re raving about the original cult trilogy, the early-2000s prequels, or the more recent sequels, the franchise consistently dominates global attention –– and there’s no doubt that this will continue to be the case in decades to come.
Much as we all love talking about the Star Wars stories as they’re presented to us, fans also get a kick out of theorizing about the things that may be going on beneath the surface, or off screen.
With that in mind, here are 20 Star Wars theories that might just make you crave another marathon.
(You can decide for yourself how plausible they really are…)
20 Star Wars Fan Theories Explained
1. Chewbacca is a Secret Rebel Agent
Theorist: Liamh101/Reddit
This not-so-crazy theory suggests that the beloved Chewie is actually a spy who worked undercover with the Rebel Alliance from the start –– unbeknownst to his pal Han, of course. Specifically, some fans have suggested that Chewbacca secretly orchestrated Han’s meeting with Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine, so that the old Jedi could recruit Han to fight the Empire.
Does it Make Sense? Kind of! It would at least explain why Obi-Wan approached Chewie so casually at the famous cantina in A New Hope. Perhaps he knew the Wookie already…
2. Jar Jar is a Dark Force User
Theorist: mredundant/Reddit
Jar Jar was far from being a fan-favorite in the prequels, but this popular fan theory makes the character much more interesting. Could it be that Jar Jar was actually a Sith (or Sith-adjacent baddie) all along? The evidence is actually intriguing.
For one thing, Jar Jar’s acrobatic skills are uncommon (if not unique) among those who aren’t Force-sensitive. For another, he’s sometimes seen mouthing along to others’ dialogue, which could be an attempt at mind control. Most compelling of all, though, is that Jar Jar even helps persuade the Senate to give power to Palpatine himself!
Does it Make Sense? This is a famous Star Wars theory in part because it’s just so crazy. That said, it’s also stuck around for a while because it kind of does make sense.
3. R2-D2 is Narrating the Whole Story
Theorist: Voyage_of_Roadkill/Reddit
R2-D2 has been around since the very first Star Wars movie, and he’s had a way of being around for most important saga events to date. He also, unlike C-3PO, has managed to skate by without any memory wipes. It’s therefore possible to imagine (and suggested by some fans) that the adorable little droid might just be the one narrating the entire galactic story. Could it be through his eyes that we’ve watched all the movies?
Does it Make Sense? George Lucas basically confirmed this bizarre theory: “The entire story of Star Wars is actually being recounted to the keeper of the Journal of the Whills—remember that?—a hundred years after the events of Return of the Jedi by none other than R2-D2.”
4. Han Solo is a Jedi
Theorist: Cracked
One of the wildest Star Wars theories suggests that Han Solo had the Force within him all along. It’s a strange idea, but it would explain why he succeeded in so many of his endeavors –– even crazy ones like navigating a dangerous asteroid field or surviving carbonite freezing. It would also explain why Han’s son, Kylo Ren, was so powerful with the Force. And hey, we may even have gotten a hint in The Empire Strikes Back when Han momentarily wields Luke’s lightsaber!
Does it Make Sense? Once upon a time, this theory would have seemed laughable. But anything is possible in Star Wars! Han works better as a lone maverick than a link to an ancient order, but we wouldn’t be shocked if he were suddenly revealed to be Force-sensitive.
5. Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru Became Stormtroopers
One of the more uplifting (yet also heartbreaking) theories suggests that Luke’s adopted parents, Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, actually became Stormtroopers. According to some devoted fans, Luke’s guardians swapped places with the imperial troopers that appear to have “killed” them, and then used their new positions to sabotage the work of the Empire.
Does it Make Sense? It’s a nice thought, but what Luke discovers is a destroyed home and two skeletons. It’s a bit of a stretch to imagine Owen and Beru setting up such a convincing scene. Regardless, the theory specifies that they later died as Stormtroopers, anyway (which is why Luke never comes across them).
6. The Force is Basically the Best Armor Ever
One more theory out there that definitely makes a little sense is that characters who are Force-sensitive are protected from pesky little dangers like… well, lasers. This would explain why Luke and Co. always escaped those Stormtrooper blasts so effortlessly. (This would also support the theory that Han has Jedi capabilities, because he, too, seems to avoid Stormtrooper aim merely by existing).
Does it Make Sense? This theory actually holds up pretty well given that anonymous Rebel soldiers seem less impervious to Stormtrooper fire than the main cast. Then again, Stormtrooper aim is likely just one more example of bad guys in action and adventure movies shooting everywhere but at the heroes.
7. Qui-Gon Jinn is a Bad Jedi
We might have loved Liam Neeson in The Phantom Menace, but one strong theory that’s made the rounds online is that his character –– the wise and steadfast Qui-Gon Jinn –– might not have been the greatest talent among the Jedi.
When you think about it, he does fail several times to sense danger the way, you know, a good Jedi ought to. He also whiffs on a Jedi mind trick and then absolutely insists on training a dangerous child against Yoda’s will. So, yeah… he might have skipped a few classes in Jedi school.
Does it Make Sense? Sure. It’s certainly fair to believe that Qui-Gon is less capable than he’s made out to be. Not every Jedi can be great.
8. Ewoks are Carnivorous Savages
Theorist: JenniferQuail/Quora
Would you still think Ewoks were cute little fluff balls if you knew they had savagely carnivorous diets? Well, that seems likely to be the case. Stringing folks up in nets with side dishes standing by doesn’t exactly give off the impression that these Endor-bear-cubs were planning on interrogating our heroes gently. And for that matter, what exactly happened to the rest of the Stormtroopers whose helmets (heads?) were being used as drums?
Does it Make Sense? I mean… well… yeah. Makes sense. But if it makes you feel better, human beings are also carnivorous savages. And we’re way less cute.
9. Anakin Mind-Tricked Padme
Theorist: Nocut12/Reddit
One of the more crazy Star Wars conspiracy theories out there suggests that Anakin used the Force to trick Padme into thinking she was in love with him. It’s a simple theory, but it explains a lot –– because, yeah, we also can’t understand why such a rational, clever politician as Padme would fall so head-over-heels teen-movie starry-eyed for a whiny, impulsive teenager who never hid the fact that he loathed the very regime she represented.
Does it Make Sense? Sure, but it’s almost too dark. We’re supposed to buy, in the end, that Anakin has some good inside him. This kind of action would suggest he’s not just conflicted or corrupted, but a flat-out sadistic dude.
10. Qui-Gon Jinn is a Sith Lord
Theorist: Reddit user
While some fans have argued that Qui-Gon might not be an ace Jedi, this more bizarre theory suggests that he’s actually a Sith Lord undercover. It sounds ridiculous, but there’s some logic to it. After all, Qui-Gon was the pupil of Count Dooku (a, um, Sith Lord), and he also insisted on training Anakin despite knowing that the boy was filled with anger and pain. So, might he have been working for the Dark Side all along, knowingly nudging Anakin toward becoming Vader? If so, mission accomplished.
Does it Make Sense? It’s a fun theory, but no, this one doesn’t make sense. If this were true, then Yoda, Mace Windu, and all the rest would be as bad at being Jedi as some think Qui-Gon is.
11. The Jedi Aren’t Doing their Job
Speaking of Yoda and Mace Windu and Co. falling down on the job, another theory suggests that throughout the saga, the Jedi are kind of just doing the wrong job. Jedi weren’t originally supposed to be the Empire’s intergalactic police; originally, they were merely meant to help Force-sensitive folks stay sane and learn to control the Force without turning to the Dark Side.
Instead, we mostly see the saga’s Jedi protagonists fighting with lightsabers and playing soldiers. But who wants to watch their favorite characters training children for three hours straight?
Does it Make Sense? Well, going by lore, the Jedi are doing the wrong job.
12. Obi-Wan Has Met R2-D2 Before
Theorist: u/sjogerst/Reddit
R2-D2 and C-3PO played major roles throughout Obi-Wan’s Jedi training… So why didn’t he recognize them when they showed up at this house in A New Hope? Well, this theory suggests that he absolutely did! As this fan points out, Obi-Wan mentions that R2-D2 “should be able to interpret the entire Imperial network.” This suggests familiarity with the droid’s capabilities. Not to mention, in the canonical novel version of A New Hope, Obi Wan says, “It’s good to fly with you again, my old friend” –– which would absolutely confirm the theory.
Does it Make Sense? It fills a plot hole, so it makes just enough sense to pass.
13. R2-D2 is also a Secret Rebel Agent
Theorist: Liamh101/Reddit
We covered the idea of Undercover Chewie, but might R2-D2 also be a secret Rebel agent? In the prequels, C-3PO had his memory wiped out, but R2-D2 didn’t. Perhaps this is because he’d previously worked with Obi-Wan as a secret agent and needed his memory to carry out future missions. In A New Hope, the friendly droid led the group to Obi-Wan himself –– not just because Leia had asked, but because he knew they had to have the Jedi with them to prevail, as they had before.
Does it Make Sense? Sure, but it’s not that much of a secret. R2 may get shuffled around like any other droid now and then, but he’s not exactly hiding that he’s a useful tool for the Rebels.
14. Yoda Can Slow Down Time
Fans have found inconsistencies in The Empire Strikes Back when it comes to time. For instance, in the time it takes Han and Co. to reach Cloud City and get themselves captured, Luke pretty much undergoes the entirety of his Jedi training. This would only make sense if Yoda was able to slow down time. He is, after all, Master of the Force. If anyone could make time drag for the sake of Luke’s training (and to patch up a massive plot inconsistency), it would be our little green friend.
Does it Make Sense? It’s… feasible. But at some point we have to draw the line. The time issues in ESB are probably just clumsy writing.
15. Finn is Force-Sensitive
Theorist: WickedWizard90/Reddit
Ever since we met Finn in The Force Awakens, we had the slightest feeling that he might end up being Force-sensitive. Then, in The Rise of Skywalker, just when Rey and Finn are getting sucked into a quicksand-like substance, he yells, “Rey, I never got to tell you—.” Many viewers assumed he was trying to confess his love for the Jedi, but really, we think he was about to confess his sensitivity to the Force. This also explains why Finn passively wields a lightsaber with absolutely no training.
Does it Make Sense? Of course! This theory was later confirmed by Finn, aka John Boyega himself, as well as J.J. Abrams.
16. Mace Windu Didn’t Die
Theorist: Reddit
Here’s the thing about Star Wars deaths: Most of them occur on screen. From Qui-Gon to Vader, we watch major characters draw their final breaths. But in some cases, characters only seem super dead: Darth Maul sliced in half tumbling down a tube, Palpatine electrified and, um, also falling down a tube… Now, we know that Maul and Palpatine were brought back in later Star Wars content, which leads to an interesting question: Do you remember how Mace Windu died? That’s right…. Wounded, falling, but not drawing a final breath.
Does it Make Sense? Mace Windu’s “death” looked pretty tough for him to escape from. But in typical Star Wars fashion, “wounded and falling” bodes well for a comeback. So this theory kind of does make sense, and it’s made slightly more credible by the fact that Samuel L. Jackson has openly called for a chance to return to the role.
17. Palpatine Created Anakin
Arguably the greatest unsolved mystery of the Star Wars saga is the identity (or even existence) of Anakin Skywalker’s father. Shmi Skywalker tells Qui-Gon that there was no father, and that she can’t explain how she became pregnant with Anakin. There’s really no further explanation, though fans have long connected the mystery to Palpatine himself. The Emperor is known to have learned from Darth Plagueis, who in turn is known to have achieved some level of control over life and death. The implication is that Palpatine might have the ability to create life, and may have created Anakin through Shmi.
Does it Make Sense? It might seem like a stretch, but an issue of the comics seemed to confirm the theory!
18. Grogu is a Force Creation (For Balance)
Theorist: Logan20th/Reddit
The idea that Palpatine created Anakin is linked to the notion that Anakin is a “Force Baby.” Whether or not Palpatine was involved, Shmi Skywalker was not impregnated biologically but mystically. One way or another, it seems clear that the Force made Anakin. Meanwhile, we also know that the Force is all about balance (thanks, Qui Gon), so the theory is out there that the mysterious Mandalorian cutie Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) might have also emerged from the Force as a counterpart to Anakin.
Does it Make Sense? Well, Grogu and Anakin do share a birthday (or birthday range) in canon. That’s pretty compelling.
19. Han’s Asteroid Field is a Destroyed Planet
Theorist: greatgerbil/Reddit
One of the most famous sequences in the beloved The Empire Strikes Back features Han Solo piloting the Millennium Falcon through an asteroid field. Except one of the asteroids has a giant sand worm on it, which –– even in Star Wars –– seems like a stretch for a cold bolder hurtling through space with no resources. One explanation that has been theorized is that these are not in fact asteroids but remnants of a planet blown apart by the Death Star in a practice run.
Does it Make Sense? Indeed! But it’s probably more likely that someone involved in ESB was a Dune enthusiast, and just wanted to squeeze some sand worms into the mix.
20. Darth Vader Let Luke Win
Theorist: Joseph_Laban/Reddit
One Star Wars theory that nearly makes us sympathize with cinema’s greatest villain suggests that Luke only defeated Vader because Vader allowed it. Was Vader overcome by the tiny amount of paternal love he had left for his son? It would certainly help explain why one of the most powerful and menacing members of the Jedi or Sith is beaten by a kid who only recently graduated from Yoda’s Makeshift Jedi School.
Does it Make Sense? It’s not there in the scene, but you could at least argue that Vader subconsciously gave less than his full effort against his own son.
The more installments we see in Star Wars, the more reason there is for fans’ minds to run wild with theories, questions, and conspiracies. Although some sound outright insane, others are somewhat plausible –– even to the extent that they might make you give the whole saga a second thought.
What did you think of these Star Wars theories? If you have some of your own, please do share them in the comments! And as always, may the Force be with you.
Originally published in December 2019.
