The Force is strong with this theory.
[dropcap size=small]A[/dropcap]fter the enigmatic title for Episode VIII came to light, so many questions have been left hanging in the air for fans to ponder. It was only a matter of time before speculation about The Last Jedi turned into some well thought-out fan theories about what the title may suggest, but there’s still one figure from the Force Awakens fans can’t stay away from – the mysterious Supreme Leader Snoke.
Snoke is undoubtedly one of the most elusive figures to grace the new Star Wars films, and whilst some theories about Snoke have been more outlandish than others, one new theory – highlighted by the good folks from the Hybrid Network (via Digital Spy) – puts forward an interesting idea relating to Snoke’s real identity.
The theory claims Snoke is actually Gallius Rax, an Imperial admiral who features in Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath trilogy. The Aftermath novels are the latest set of Star Wars books to follow in-line with the newly established Star Wars canon, and are set after the events of the Return of the Jedi.
Rax is a somewhat mysterious figure in the first novel since he operates behind the scenes and hides his identity by using the codename “Operator”. Under the assumed name, Rax sets in motion a coup to take over Imperial Forces with himself at its head.
After leaking information to the New Republic about Imperial plans and manipulating Imperial forces at the same time, Rax forms a Shadow Council and eventually takes control of the Empires remaining forces in the second novel, Life Debt.
What makes Rax such a plausible candidate is that Snoke claims to have seen the rise and fall of the Empire, which could also be said of Rax and his attempts to reshape and take control of the Empire in the Aftermath novels. It’s also worth noting that The First Order Snoke commands came from the ashes of the Empire after the battle of Jakku. It’s likely that Rax had a hand in the proceedings of that battle and the aftermath, so it would make sense if Rax and Snoke are in fact one and the same.
The other argument put forward in favour of this theory is the fact that Rax was a Jakku-born orphaned slave who escaped on a ship owned by the future emperor himself, Sheev Palpatine. Rax became a protege of Palpatine and learned a lot about the Force during his time with the future emperor, which Hybrid Network’s CJ claims could explain Snoke’s practical approach to the Force in the movie.
As with any fan theory it goes without saying that it should be taken with a pinch of salt, but this is probably one of the most convincing theories put forward about the elusive Snoke so far.
Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi is set to release 15 December 2017.
