Could Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker bring back another classic character?

As we near the end of the Skywalker Saga, many fans have been speculating about all the classic Star Wars characters who could return for one final outing.

We already know we'll see Luke Skywalker as a Force ghost, and Emperor Palpatine will somehow feature – at least his laugh will. But what about another potentially key character?

One fan has suggested that the Skywalker of the title is not Rey, nor Luke, nor anyone else we've been thinking of, but Anakin Skywalker.

Stick with us on this one, because there is some precedent for a move as divisive as bringing back Vader, aka the absolute worst.

Firstly, it wouldn't be the first time a character presumed dead – or actually dead – had a cameo. We've got Palpatine returning, plus we've seen the Force ghosts of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda in previous Star Wars films. A CGI de-aged Carrie Fisher even appeared in Rogue One, so there is no end to what Disney can do.

Darth Vader has a pretty big footprint in the contemporary saga. The main villain Kylo Ren is downright obsessed with his dear old grandad, promising in The Force Awakens that he would finish what Vader started.

What exactly is that, though? At the end of Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader moved to the light side of the force, killing Palpatine (or so we thought) to save his son. He dies redeemed, Anakin once again.

There is also the fact that Hayden Christensen appeared at the Star Wars Celebration back in April. His presence – combined with the adulation from Clerks director and Star Wars superfan Kevin Smith (who visited JJ Abrams' set) about a mysterious 'return' actor's performance (via Good Morning America) – was enough to stoke rumours.

This isn't even the first time an Anakin Force ghost has been teased. Christensen was going to take up the mantle again for The Force Awakens as an Anakin/Vader hybrid ghost, but this was cut from the movie.

Christensen himself would happily return to the Star Wars Universe, whether the fans want him in it or not.

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How likely is it, though, that Disney would risk angering the already tetchy fanbase by bringing back one of the divisive characters in the canon? (ie Anakin not Darth Vader.) It's almost as bad a move as a Jar Jar Binks cameo.

Almost.

Whatever happens in Rise of Skywalker, it will have to give fans a meaningful and cathartic ending, with or without Anakin.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be released on Thursday, December 19 in the UK and Friday, December 20 in the US.

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Gabriella Geisinger

Gabriella Geisinger is a freelance film critic and journalist, with a focus on J-drama & film, and the Japanese production industry. She was previously Locations Editor at Screen International and Deputy Movies Editor at Digital Spy. Her writing can also befound in Curzon, 1883, and more. A born and raised New Yorker, she loves coffee and the colour black, obviously.