A new Star Wars theory suggests that the upcoming movie Star Wars: New Jedi Order could use an idea originally envisioned for Darth Vader for another character instead. There are still very few confirmed details about New Jedi Order, but that hasn’t decreased excitement for the upcoming Star Wars movie. Part of the reason it’s so exciting is because New Jedi Order will take place 15 years after the sequel trilogy, pushing the franchise further into the future of the Star Wars timeline than ever before. That setting opens up a host of possibilities for where New Jedi Order could go, and which characters could appear.

New Jedi Order is focused on the future of the galaxy, but that doesn’t mean it’s forgetting the past entirely. Some recent revelations about New Jedi Order have proven that Rey Skywalker will be looking to the history of the Jedi to inform her next steps in rebuilding the Order. The movie could also use other elements from Star Wars‘ past too, particularly one major idea that could have brought Darth Vader into the sequel trilogy. While that idea might have been developed for Vader, a new theory suggests it will be used to bring back a completely different character.

The Sequels Toyed With Bringing Darth Vader Back – After A Fashion

Darth Vader never appeared in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, but he still had a major effect on its characters and events. He was a constant presence in the minds of characters from the original trilogy, like Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, but the character who showed just how much of an impact Vader truly had was Kylo Ren. He idolized the Sith Lord, even going as far as to keep the destroyed remains of his helmet. His infatuation with Vader was so intense that it seemingly hinted at him appearing in the sequel trilogy.

The main way Vader’s return for the sequel trilogy could have worked is if he appeared to Kylo Ren as a Force ghost. While that would theoretically be possible, it would also present a few problems. Since he was redeemed at the end of Return of the Jedi, Vader’s Force ghost would have instead appeared as Anakin, who likely would likely have tried to dissuade Kylo Ren, making his commitment to the dark side less tenable. It’s a glaring problem that likely prevented Vader from actually appearing in the sequels, but a solution to that issue was more recently presented in Ahsoka.

The Darth Vader/Anakin Force Ghost Would Work Perfectly For Ben Solo

Anakin’s Force ghost played a fairly prominent role in Ahsoka, and it changed a major trend with previous depictions of Force ghosts. Previously, the only people who could become Force ghosts were those who had become one with the light side of the Force. In Ahsoka, however, Anakin’s Force ghost was still partly Darth Vader, and he had the same elements of darkness within him. That would have made it possible for him to appear in the sequel trilogy, as his dark side could have helped Kylo Ren, but it would work even better for a character in New Jedi Order: Ben Solo.

At the end of The Rise of Skywalker, Ben’s body disappeared, indicating he had become one with the Force. That set him up to become a Force ghost in the future, but his appearance would face the same issue Anakin’s did: Ben had both light and dark sides in him. Depicting him as a traditional Force ghost, one who was completely committed to the light side, would rewrite a major part of his character. Thus, by following the lore Ahsoka established for Anakin, Ben could become a Force ghost in New Jedi Order without forgetting about his time as Kylo Ren entirely.

That would be the best way to bring his multi-faceted character back, but there’s also a chance that Ben Solo won’t return for New Jedi Order. Adam Driver recently said he’s done with Star Wars, and since he portrays Ben, his quote seems to indicate that the character’s time in live-action is also over. Despite Driver’s hints that he’s done with the franchise, Ahsoka has presented the perfect way for him to return, and New Jedi Order would greatly benefit from Ben’s presence.

Why Ben Solo Needs To Return In Rey’s New Jedi Order Movie

The main reason Ben Solo should return for New Jedi Order is because he could expand upon the Force Dyad, one of the most interesting things the sequel trilogy introduced. The Force Dyad was a connection between two Force-users that granted both of them considerable powers and abilities. The catch was that it required both sides of the Force, light and dark, to work. Without Ben, the Force Dyad is incomplete, as Rey doesn’t have that special connection with anybody else. Bringing Ben back as a Force ghost would allow the Dyad to be complete again, and allow New Jedi Order to explore it further.

The very definition of the Force Dyad also seems to indicate that Ben could return. One of the many powers it grants is power over life and death, such as Rey and Ben’s ability to transfer their life essence to each other. Since they have such power, surely Ben could overcome death enough to become a Force ghost and appear in New Jedi Order.

Another reason Ben should return for New Jedi Order is because he opens up an enormous number of opportunities for the movie to capitalize on. As the other half of the Dyad, Ben was extremely important to Rey, and New Jedi Order could explore their healed relationship in greater depth than Rise of Skywalker could. As a Force ghost embodying both the light and the dark, Ben would also go a long way in Rey’s mission to redefine both the Jedi Order and the idea of balance in the Force.

For all the directions Ben opens up, though, another compelling reason he should return is simply because he’s a good character who deserves more screen time. Ben provided the sequel trilogy with much of its emotional depth, and his redemption marked the perfect way to complete the Skywalker saga. While he may have given his life so that Rey could shape the future of the galaxy, Ben Solo deserves to be part of New Jedi Order and see the future he helped create.