Films that generate discussions and friendly arguments about theories related to the film are the ones that often resonate and don’t disappear into oblivion. Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens is such a film, doing its best work by introducing Supreme Leader Snoke.
Who is Snoke? Not quite sure. But many have been trying to figure it out in the nine months since Star Wars returned to our lives via the cinema. While I believe he’s probably no one we knew from the original trilogies, it’s fun theorizing he could be someone we’ve already seen.
What do we know of about Snoke?
Basically, what we saw in the film, and a bit more from bits and pieces gathered around. Wookieepedia is a good place to check out, if you have no idea what we’re writing about. Basically, he’s the one who turned Kylo Ren, formerly Ben Solo, from his Jedi training into the dark side, and the outcome of that is shown in Episode VII. One important thing: He’s a humanoid, not human.
Not a Theory, Only a Simple Solution
Occam’s Razor, in short. The simplest solution is usually the correct one. Snoke is a new character. As simple as that, and while it might not be romantic, it’s probably true, considering other options are a bit of a stretch, even for Star Wars logic.
Snoke is Ezra Bridger
Personally this is my favorite theory. Ezra, for those who follow Star Wars Rebels (you should if you haven’t been), is a force sensitive kid who is an apprentice to one of the last remaining Jedi after the events of Order 66. As the series develops, Ezra becomes more powerful, but like a lot of the more interesting Jedis, begins leaning towards the Dark side. In the beginning of season 3, the exposure to a Sith holocron and learning a few things from Darth Maul seem to have had their effect on him. We don’t know how it ends, but maybe he is what Snoke is so many years later? Probably not, but it’s fun thinking about it. Of course, there are also arguments to disprove this theory.
Snoke is Palpatine
A lot of people coming out of the film for the first time had this in mind. It means Vader didn’t kill Palpatine when he threw him down the reactor in Return of the Jedi. The scars and injuries on Snoke’s face seem to fit something quite traumatic. But other than that, there’s no real evidence of Palpatine being alive, not to mention the actor who portrayed Palpatine, Ian McDiarmid, said the character is dead.
The Mace Windu Theory
A fun, but probably wrong theory, suggesting that after being f*** up by Palpatine and dropped from the tower, the former Jedi Master decides to switch sides and turn to the Dark side for some not-too-clear reason. While it’s great for discussion and arguments, it doesn’t really make sense.
Darth Plagueis
In Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine tells Anakin about Darth Plagueis, a sith lord that could create life and keep his loved ones from dying. Palpatine was Plagueis’ apprentice and killed him, something Anakin doesn’t understand. In this case, dead is probably dead. According to Lucasfilm Story Group creative executive, Pablo Hidalgo, Plagueis is dead, and he and Snoke are two separate characters. Unless he’s lying.
Snoke is the Grand Inquisitor
The Grand Inquisitor is one of the more formidable foes the characters in Star Wars Rebels have to face. He also falls down a massive reactor. He also is bald, and is strong with the dark side of the force. Enough to lead to theories of him turning into Snoke.