TheStar Warsfranchise has had its fair share of surprise twists over the years, some of which have become iconic as both moments in the franchise and moments in film as a whole. These moments not only took initial viewers by surprise, but they also completely changed the game when it came to the surrounding story and characters.Star Warshas pushed the envelope several times regarding the stories that can be told in this setting, and the moments in this list reflect that willingness to change.
Starting with moments inA New Hopelike the complete destruction of the planet Alderaan,Star Warshas always had its shocking moments. However, some moments not only defined the genre that the series finds itself in, but also defined a generation. These are those moments, making them possibly some of the most important in the entire franchise.
10The Emperor Returns In The Rise Of Skywalker
He Came Back After His Death In Return Of The Jedi
One of the most shocking reveals that came with the release ofStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerwas that not only was Emperor Palpatine alive, but also he had been puppeteering theFirst Orderbehind the scenes the entire time.Snoke had only been a pawn of Palpatine’s, created through the eerieProject Necromancerthat was instated after the time of Palpatine’s death inReturn of the Jedi.Now allowing Palpatine to escape what would have been certain death, he can haunt the galaxy in another uncontrolled bid for power and influence.
Although this release was teased in promotional materials, this reveal came as a shock to many and was even an unwelcome addition to the franchise by many audiences at the time. Common criticisms of this reveal include the fact that it seems to cheapen Darth Vader’s redemption at the end ofReturn of the Jedi.This almost made the moment feel as if it was all for nothing for some viewers, adding to a legacy that seemed to forget about Anakin Skywalker entirely.
9Rey Is A Palpatine
Many Fans Thought That She Would Remain “Nobody”
When Kylo Ren told Rey that her parents were “nobody” during their climactic face-off inStar Wars: The Last Jedi,audiences didn’t think much of it afterward. This only made the surprise reveal inThe Rise of Skywalkerthat she was actually a member of the Palpatine family even more surprising.Initially teased by her using powerful Force lightning to accidentally destroy a ship, it was later fully revealed that, despite the fact her parents were supposedly “nobody,” she was the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine.
Everything We Know About Rey’s Parents In Star Wars (& Why Rey Isn’t Really Palpatine’s Granddaughter)
The story of Rey’s parents in Star Wars is key to understanding Rey’s character, such as the reason why she’s not truly Palpatine’s granddaughter.
This came along with a lot of shocking decisions made in the film, including Rey’s decision to leave her past behind and become a Skywalker. Although it was not received well by many, the choice to have her carry the Skywalker name after the death of Luke Skywalker is one that holds some weight. This is likely not the last we will hear of her family’s past, as it will likely be brought up again inRey’s upcomingNew Jedi Ordermovie.
8Luke Skywalker And Leia Organa Are Twins
This Came As A Shock After Their Kiss
Before the original trilogy was fully released, there was the possibility that a love triangle would be posed between Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker. This possibility would only be teased further with the kiss between Luke and Leia inThe Empire Strikes Back,a scene that in hindsight is relatively uncomfortable.Unknown to audiences at the time, when the third and final movie of the trilogy would eventually release, it would come with the reveal that Luke and Leia are actually twin siblings.
A key piece of information, this would not be revealed until the two of them were on the forest moon of Endor together. Leia discusses remembering their mother while Luke listens, and the two of them have a nice moment together, now knowing that they are siblings. It wouldn’t be until much later with moments such as their brief time together inThe Last Jediwhere we would really get to see them together as siblings.
7Ahsoka Tano Leaves The Jedi Order
After Being Framed, She Could No Longer Trust Them
Star Wars: The Clone Warsis a show that comes with a long list of reveals and adds context to the prequel trilogy. Not only was it revealed that Anakin Skywalker had his own Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, but Ahsoka’s character was fleshed out and experienced growth over the course of several seasons, leading her from becoming one of the most hated characters in all ofStar Warsto one of the most universally beloved. Because of this, her eventual self-imposed exile from the Jedi Order came as a shock to viewers.
Audiences knew that something would have to happen to Ahsoka in order for her to be out of the way duringOrder 66inStar Wars: Episode III -Revenge of the Sith,but exactly what happened to her remained a mystery for the longest time.In season 5, episode 20 “The Wrong Jedi,” Ahsoka was framed for the crime of bombing the Jedi Temple, something she would eventually be exonerated for onceBarriss Offeewas captured and arrested.However, this incident completely fractured her trust in the Jedi Order, causing her to leave the people who had once raised her.
6Kylo Ren Kills His Father
The Fact He Was The Son Of Han Solo And Leia Organa Surprised Viewers
Even thoughStar Wars: The Force Awakensfor the most part kept to a formula reminiscent of the story told inA New Hope,it came with two very important reveals. The first reveal was that Kylo Ren was the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa.The second reveal was that Kylo Ren, while in a fit of rage on Starkiller Base, would strike down Han Solo in front of Rey and Chewbacca.
Why Snoke Wanted Kylo Ren To Kill Han Solo (And Why It Didn’t Work)
One of the main plot points of the Star Wars sequels was Snoke wanting Kylo Ren to kill Han Solo. Here is why, and also why his plan did not work.
Han Solo was an incredibly well-loved and well-known character in theStar Warsfranchise, having been in it since the very beginning withA New Hope.Seeing his death come so soon into the newest trilogy made it one of the trilogy’s most shocking reveals, using this moment as a catalyst for what would come later down the line. It was also not the last audiences would see of Han Solo, as he would later appear to Kylo Ren inThe Rise of Skywalker.
5The Execution Of Order 66 In Revenge Of The Sith
The Film Showed Off The Gruesome Event That Ended The Jedi
Everyone who had seen the original trilogy knew that there had to be a reason that the Jedi had completely disappeared from the galaxy by the time ofA New Hope.However, inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace,the Jedi Order was alive and well, even thriving. Something had to happen in order for the Jedi to fall from grace, leading to the severe decline of their numbers as seen in the original trilogy, but exactly what happened was not revealed untilRevenge of the Sith.
This reveal would not disappoint, as the execution of Order 66 wiped out most of the Jedi in a single instance.Betrayed by the clone soldiers they had once called their allies, the Jedi in the field were shot down, and the Jedi at the temple were slaughtered by Anakin Skywalker himself. Marking his final turn to become Darth Vader, Order 66 showed just how evil of a Sith Anakin would become.
4Darth Vader Kills The Emperor
His Redemption At The End Of The Film Was One Of Its Best Moments
Despite the many evil deeds Anakin committed during his time as Darth Vader,Revenge of the Sithshowed that redemption, even for a man like him, was not impossible.After reuniting with his son, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader makes the final decision to kill Emperor Palpatine, ultimately saving the galaxy from his influence for the time being.He then took off his own helmet and looked at his son with his own eyes for the very first time before passing away himself.
The way things were expected, Darth Vader and the Emperor were to be killed by Luke Skywalker and the others, eventually saving the day for the entire galaxy. Instead, George Lucas and the rest of the team at Lucasfilm decided to include this touching moment, showing that at the end of the day, anyone can make the decision to do the right thing. Both shocking and sweet in equal measure, this moment brings the story of Anakin Skywalker full circle.
3Darth Maul Survived The Phantom Menace
The Clone Wars Brought Him Back And Added To His Story
After Darth Maul’s supposed death inThe Phantom Menace,no one expected him to come back. After all, Obi-Wan Kenobi had cut him in half after the Sith had killed his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, and the chances of surviving from injuries so severe are essentially zero.However, through sheer force of will and pure hatred for Obi-Wan, Darth Maul managed to survive, going on to become one of the most important and best written characters in the entirety ofThe Clone Warsand laterStar Wars Rebels.
Now sporting a pair of mechanical legs that made him almost oppressively tall, Darth Maul went on to train his brother Savage as his apprentice in the dark side of the Force. He even conquered the planet of Mandalore, leading to one of the most important arcs inThe Clone Wars.He became an incredible villain, but not an unsympathetic one, eventually dying at the hands of Obi-Wan several years after being reintroduced.
2Everyone Dies At The End Of Rogue One
The End Of Rogue One Is A Brutal But Poetic Watch
Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyis possibly one of the greatest spin-off projects in all ofStar Wars,not only filling in a plot hole left byA New Hope,but also introducing a cast of unique and memorable characters in the process. It was also the only film to not really focus on the Jedi at the time, with the only person capable of using the Force being Darth Vader, who is seen in all his terrifying severity several times throughout the movie. The film is not afraid to break from the traditional formula, especially with its emotional ending.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Cast, Character & Cameo Guide
When Rogue One: A Star Wars Story came out, it answered a 40-year-old Star Wars mystery. Here’s a guide to its cast, characters, and cameos.
At the end ofRogue One,once the plans for the Death Star have been transferred back to theRebel Alliance, the Death Star fires on Scarif.All the characters that fans grew to know over the course of the film perish in the blast, with Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor watching the sun as the end finally comes for them.The ending is an incredibly sad one, yet still somehow beautiful and hopeful, illustrating the massive threat that the Empire was to its fullest potential.
1Darth Vader Is Luke Skywalker’s Father
This Reveal Was The Original Star Wars Plot Twist
The Empire Strikes Backis widely considered to be one of the greatest movies in the entireStar Warsfranchise, if not the greatest. This is for a variety of reasons, but none as important as the original big twist.At the film’s apex in Cloud City, with Luke Skywalker facing what seems to be certain death, Darth Vader reveals that he is actually Luke’s father.
Although there would be big reveals that come later, none would be as important as this. The fact that Darth Vader was Anakin Skywalker all along would go on to shape so many things within theStar Warsfranchise, creating a legacy synonymous with the Skywalker name. At the end of the day, there is noStar Warsreveal that will ever beat learning that the villain was Luke’s, and later Leia’s, father all along.
