After the death of Snoke and Phasma in Star Wars: The Last Jedi – not to mention those persistent rumors that General Hux will betray Kylo Ren – there are likely one or two new villain slots open for next year’s Star Wars: Episode IX. And while Richard E. Grant could well live up to his reputation as a screen baddie, a recent report from Making Star Wars alleges that the First Order will be drawing on the services of a special kind of trooper.
According to the site’s sources, J.J. Abrams’ next film will feature a costume design described as “pretty much a solid red Stormtrooper with black stripes.” The figure has been compared to the red pilots in Star Wars: Resistance, and to the character Elrik Vonreg in particular, with the piece speculating that the First Order pilot’s appearance might even be an unused design for the Episode IX trooper. The outlet goes on to stress though that they cannot confirm if there’ll be more than one cast member in the film who wears this red outfit.
While the report should probably be taken with the usual pinch of salt, a threatening new trooper design could be a welcome addition for the Sequel Trilogy’s grand finale, and according to the same Making Star Wars piece, this next film could be full of helmeted figures fighting for the First Order.
For one thing, it’s alleged that Kylo will be wearing his old mask once more, or at least a replacement for it, and it’s even said that the Knights of Ren will finally be making a proper appearance after Abrams teased them in The Force Awakens. Such reports are awaiting confirmation, but we’ll find out what the villains are bringing to the table when Star Wars: Episode IX hits theaters on December 20th, 2019.