The Knights of Ren are one of the major mysteries set up in previous movies that we’re fully expecting to be explored in this December’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. All the signs are pointing to Kylo’s acolytes featuring in a much bigger role in Episode IX than their brief cameo in The Force Awakens, but there are various theories going around about how exactly they’ll be utilized.
For one, it’s widely speculated that the Knights will turn against their master for some reason. Again, there are a few ideas flying around the fandom about why that could be, but ScreenRant has now come up with a thorough explanation that sounds very possible.
To begin with, they point to the moment in the trailer which shows Kylo besting a Knight of Ren in combat. Clearly, they’ll be at odds in the movie, for some unknown reason. What if the Knights have found a new master, though? And what if that new master is Emperor Palpatine, who we know will make his unexpected return in Rise thanks to the unmistakable sound of Ian McDiarmid’s cackle in the trailer.
Of course, we don’t yet know if he’ll turn up as a Force ghost or whether he’s being resurrected in a more permanent way, but if it’s the latter, then perhaps he encountered the Knights in the Unknown Regions. This enigmatic space is said to be where the First Order started up, having been built from the remains of the Empire.
Previous rumors also point to Palpatine’s return tying into the Unknown Regions. Likewise, some sources say the Knights have been in a place called The Beyond over the past couple of films, which could be situated within the Unknown Regions. It’d definitely be like the Emperor to employ some loyal foot soldiers to fight his battles for him.
All things considered, this is an intriguing idea as it neatly ties together a couple of elements that we know will be in the movie. The truth will be revealed, though, when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arrives in theaters on December 20th.