Buzz
As The Force Awakens premieres in theaters, the internet is overflowing with speculative rumors. Unlike fan theories, these rumors simply suggest potential events in the film without attempting to connect narrative elements.
Amid the online frenzy surrounding The Force Awakens, it’s easy to overlook how fan rumors have always been a staple of the franchise. Here are 10 past Star Wars fan rumors, including one about The Force Awakens that began when Lucasfilm made its announcement.
10. Christopher Walken as Darth Bane
Casting speculations often spiral out of control before a new film’s release, but few rumors garnered as much attention as the claim that Christopher Walken would portray the beloved character Darth Bane in Attack of the Clones. This character remains largely unknown to those outside the hardcore fanbase.
Darth Bane is a prominent Sith Lord featured in Star Wars novels, comics, and video games. Within the Star Wars lore, Darth Bane established the rule that only two Sith could exist simultaneously—a master and an apprentice. Fans eagerly hoped to see this character brought to life in the prequel films.
The rumor gained traction when the entertainment site Ain’t It Cool News (AICN) published an article claiming that Darth Bane would appear in Attack of the Clones, portrayed by the renowned actor Christopher Walken. AICN did not disclose their source but insisted they had personally viewed the cast sheet.
During the early days of the internet, this news spread rapidly, making its way to radio shows and entertainment programs. The rumor’s credibility remained uncertain, possibly stemming from an early script draft of Attack of the Clones or an unreliable AICN source. Despite the buzz, Christopher Walken never appeared in the role.
9. Mick Jagger to Compose the Score for The Empire Strikes Back
Before the internet era, verifying rumors or speculating about movie details was challenging due to the lack of widespread public forums. As a result, rumors surrounding the original trilogy were less common, but a few intriguing ones emerged. One of the most bizarre was the claim that Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger would compose the score for The Empire Strikes Back, replacing John Williams.
The rumor originated when a Hollywood trade publication reported that Jagger was being considered to score the film. Starlog magazine amplified the rumor, giving it widespread attention. Eventually, Lucasfilm clarified that they had no idea how the rumor started.
When the film was released, John Williams handled the score, but the Rolling Stones’ connection to the Star Wars franchise didn’t end there. The night before filming the iconic scene in Empire where the Millennium Falcon arrives at Cloud City, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford spent a late night drinking with the Rolling Stones. Fisher later revealed they stopped drinking just two hours before filming. In the final cut, both actors appeared noticeably tipsy in the scene.
8. Jet Li as Boba Fett
Despite having minimal screen time in the original trilogy, Boba Fett remains one of the most beloved characters in Star Wars lore. As the prequel trilogy was being developed, speculation about Boba Fett’s potential appearance in the films grew. One of the most enduring rumors was that martial arts legend Jet Li would portray the iconic bounty hunter.
The Jet Li rumor lacked substantial evidence, yet it persisted. With each new movie announcement, fans reignited the hope of seeing the bounty hunter in action. The rumor’s origin remains unclear, though it likely stemmed from entertainment media seeking to boost viewership and engagement.
Boba Fett did make an appearance in Attack of the Clones, but as a young clone of the bounty hunter Jango Fett. While fans enjoyed learning about Boba Fett’s origins and witnessing Jango Fett’s exploits, it fell short of the excitement that would have come with Jet Li taking on the legendary role.
7. Han Solo and Darth Vader Fuse Into a Single Entity
As Return of the Jedi entered production, wild rumors circulated, particularly due to uncertainty about Harrison Ford’s return. With Ford’s contract status unclear, fans began spreading bizarre theories about Han Solo’s fate. One of the strangest claims was that Han Solo would wield a lightsaber in the film’s climax and engage in a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader.
The rumor suggested that during their duel, an energy surge would fuse Han Solo’s “life force” with Darth Vader’s. This would leave Luke Skywalker with the tragic task of killing his best friend, now trapped within Vader, to ultimately defeat the Sith Lord.
Fans held onto this rumor until Return of the Jedi premiered, only to be slightly let down by the film’s more conventional ending, devoid of any bizarre metaphysical twists. While it’s uncertain if George Lucas ever considered this idea, it remains one of the strangest rumors surrounding the Star Wars saga.
6. Boba Fett as Luke’s Mother
Following the jaw-dropping revelation in The Empire Strikes Back that Darth Vader was Luke Skywalker’s father, fans anticipated another bombshell in Return of the Jedi. With Luke’s maternal lineage still a mystery, speculation turned to Boba Fett, the other masked figure in the series. Whispers spread that Boba Fett might actually be Luke’s mother.
Surprisingly, this rumor gained some credibility when Mark Hamill, the actor portraying Luke Skywalker, admitted he believed it. In an interview, Hamill mentioned he wouldn’t be shocked if Boba Fett removed the helmet to unveil Luke’s mother underneath.
Hamill appeared to have deeply considered this theory, telling Spin magazine that the twist would align with the idea of Luke’s mother having a mission to safeguard and observe Luke throughout the trilogy. However, the prequels later clarified Boba Fett’s origins and Luke’s mother’s fate, dashing fans’ hopes for this theory.
5. Leonardo DiCaprio as Anakin Skywalker
This rumor had some basis in reality. After Jake Lloyd portrayed young Anakin in The Phantom Menace, George Lucas sought a new actor to play the older version. Entertainment outlets speculated extensively, with Leonardo DiCaprio frequently rumored to be on Lucas’s shortlist for the role.
Lucasfilm never officially addressed the rumors, but numerous entertainment sites published articles backing the idea of DiCaprio playing Anakin. Reports claimed that paparazzi saw DiCaprio heading to Skywalker Ranch, and he even mentioned the possibility of taking on the role in an interview. However, given Lucasfilm’s strict confidentiality policies, it’s unclear whether DiCaprio was genuinely considered or simply leveraging the buzz for publicity.
Ain’t It Cool News shared a story about encountering Ewan McGregor in a bar, where he mentioned meeting DiCaprio to discuss the role. Ultimately, DiCaprio had a brief meeting with Lucas but was never seriously considered. Hayden Christensen was ultimately cast as Anakin.
4. Pussy Riot to Feature in The Force Awakens
As the first viewers of the new Star Wars film exit theaters around the time this list is published (we haven’t seen it yet!), it’s impossible to distinguish between wild rumors and plausible ones before a movie’s release. Since Disney announced the new film, websites have circulated “leaks” about plot points, such as Kylo Ren being Luke Skywalker in disguise or Han Solo piloting a Star Destroyer. Among the most far-fetched rumors is the claim that Russian punk band Pussy Riot will make an appearance in the movie.
Pussy Riot rose to global fame after being imprisoned in Russia for a provocative performance. When production for the new Star Wars film began, the band mentioned they were in discussions for an unspecified role, likely tied to a musical performance. Online speculation suggested they might appear as a cantina band, though nothing has been confirmed.
The idea of a famous rock band appearing in Star Wars isn’t unprecedented. Before Attack of the Clones premiered, fans speculated that ‘N Sync would feature in the film. Including a controversial band like Pussy Riot would be a bold move for Disney, especially given the global reach of modern blockbusters. For now, Pussy Riot’s appearance in the Netflix series House of Cards remains their claim to fame, but if you spot them in the movie, let us know!
3. Natalie Portman’s Alleged Nude Scene
As anticipation built for The Phantom Menace, details about the film's plot were scarce, fueling a frenzy of speculation among fans. Alongside casting guesses, such as Liam Neeson potentially playing Yoda, a more unsettling rumor about the new cast members began to circulate.
The origin of this rumor remains unclear, but it gained traction as fans speculated that Natalie Portman would have a nude scene in The Phantom Menace, potentially earning the film an R rating. This would have marked a significant departure from the family-friendly tradition of the Star Wars saga.
A major flaw in this theory was Natalie Portman's age—she was just 17 during the filming of The Phantom Menace. This would have violated industry norms prohibiting minors from appearing nude in films. Additionally, such a scene would have been an unusual and jarring shift for the Star Wars series, known for its focus on action and adventure suitable for younger audiences.
By mid-1998, the rumor had gained so much momentum that Parade magazine published an article debunking it. Thankfully, Star Wars stayed true to its roots and avoided any inappropriate content, though the widespread nature of this rumor remains unsettling to reflect on.
2. Obi-Wan Meets His End at Anakin's Hands but Is Later Cloned
Upon the release of the Attack of the Clones trailer, sharp-eyed fans spotted a brief scene where Anakin decapitated a robed figure. For reasons unknown, many speculated that this figure was Obi-Wan Kenobi and that his death would be a pivotal moment in the upcoming film.
This theory, however, faced a major flaw. Obi-Wan appears prominently in A New Hope, making his death in Attack of the Clones impossible. Rather than dismissing the theory as implausible, fans concocted an elaborate explanation involving a cloned version of Obi-Wan.
The rumor suggested that Anakin would indeed kill Obi-Wan, but the Republic’s advanced cloning technology during the Clone Wars would allow them to replicate him. The theory even proposed that Obi-Wan’s name evolved into the alphanumeric designation OB-1, implying that the Obi-Wan in A New Hope was actually a clone of the original.
The actual movie took a different direction, but the theory that Obi-Wan died offscreen during the prequel era still lingers. This idea is often used to explain why Obi-Wan appears to have gaps in his memory about the Clone Wars and even provides Luke with inaccurate details about his father’s life. According to the theory, the cloned Kenobi lacked firsthand experience of those events, leading to his incomplete knowledge.
1. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padme, and Anakin’s Love Triangle
A central theme in the prequel trilogy is the romantic relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, which ultimately drives Anakin to the dark side. However, after the release of the first prequel, fans theorized a more complex dynamic: a love triangle involving Obi-Wan and Anakin, both competing for Padme’s love. This, they believed, would be the catalyst for Anakin’s downfall.
The theory further suggested that Obi-Wan fathered Luke and Leia due to a secret relationship with Padme. While this seems unlikely, rumors persist that this storyline was initially considered for the prequels. Some traces of this idea remain, such as Anakin’s unexplained animosity toward Obi-Wan.
Whether or not the love triangle was part of the original script, fans continue to use it to interpret events in the prequels, often claiming the affair happened offscreen.
A particularly intriguing take on this theory comes from YouTube film analyst Belated Media, who created two videos outlining his ideal vision for the prequel trilogy. Central to his reimagined storyline is the concept of shared jealousy between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin as they both compete for Padme’s love.
