Fan Theories Versus Reality: Favorite Star Wars Theories That Turned Out to Be Dead Wrong

For many of us, growing up during the 1970s, the Star Wars saga consisted of THREE movies. While I didn’t own the original videotapes, I remember borrowing tapes from friends and watching the series. Even in the 1980s, when I saw The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi in the theater, anticipation for the next chapters in the saga was feverish.

Theories from Those Early Days

With only a few films to work with, our imagination ran wild as we speculated about the events that weren't yet revealed. Some of the most enduring theories revolved around the origins of Darth Vader and the events that transpired after A New Hope. But, as it turned out, our favorite theories were dead wrong!

Darth Vader's Role in the Saga: Many of us imagined a climactic battle between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi ending in the latter’s death. We believed one of them—possibly Obi-Wan—had used a trap to eliminate the other. However, the conclusion of Revenge of the Sith revealed that this was far from the truth.

Post-Return of the Jedi Theories

As we delved into the future, one of the most romantic fan theories among fans was the idea of Rey’s parentage. We fantasized about Han Solo and Princess Leia becoming a couple and having children together, with one—named Anakin—who would be the chosen one. While there are non-canonical stories detailing such a storyline, it has become clear that these events do not transpire in the official sequels Episodes VII, VIII, and IX.

The Missing Story

One of the most pressing questions that plagued us was the “war” that appeared to be ongoing before the events of A New Hope. The theft of the plans for the Death Star, for example, spanned 20 years and involved many enthralling and captivating storylines that went unexplored. With the release of the prequels, many of us were excited to see these stories unfold. However, the sequels Rogue One and Solo, along with expanded universe shows like Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, have only scratched the surface of answers to our questions.

Conclusion

From amateur theorists to devoted fans, our imagination has long fueled the Star Wars universe. While some fan theories have turned out to be completely incorrect, they contribute to the rich tapestry of fan fiction and theories that continue to captivate fans worldwide. The journey of discovering which theories are fact and which are fiction remains an ongoing adventure in both the Star Wars saga and the world of fan theories.