The new Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer shown at D23 was released online today, and fans went crazy over the final scene which apparently reveals Rey going to the Dark Side. But another good guy is seemingly breaking bad in Episode IX, too, as one shot showcases C-3PO with red eyes. Seeing as red is a color associated with the Sith, like Rey’s new double-edged lightsaber, we’re left to assume that the fussy, comical droid is set to be possessed by evil.
In the absence of any official clues as to what’s going on here, SW fans have shared their theories on social media – some more serious than others. For instance, what if Threepio’s not possessed and it just turns out that he’s been on the Dark Side all this time?
What if C-3PO was the Phantom Menace this entire time
— Alex, Hockey Enjoyer (@alex27n_) August 26, 2019
He even had a red arm back in The Force Awakens. The clues have been there all along, people. And we thought Jar-Jar Binks was the one we couldn’t trust.
https://twitter.com/SWBFExpress/status/1165997148644794369
What if Snoke survived being chopped in half by Kylo Ren and is behind Threepio’s red eyes?
Wait, Snoke, still alive, hacks C3PO.
— Russell Michaels, Momotaros (@TGBED8v8) August 26, 2019
Or maybe this is where the droid just loses it and decides to get his own back on the galaxy that’s always made fun of him?
Most people will focus on all those Star Destroyers or how Rey throws a light saber like Thor throwing a hammer, but don't sleep on C-3PO's eyes glowing red right before that monster blaster shot. I'm assuming he becomes all-powerful and, finally, kills his many tormentors. pic.twitter.com/ujJM1esDuV
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) August 26, 2019
Perhaps the most likely theory, though, is that Emperor Palpatine is behind it. Darth Sidious looks set to play a significant role in Rise, with both the first poster and this second trailer featuring him prominently.
Palpatine’s consciousness takes over 3PO, takes over galaxy.
— Rich MacLeod (@richmacleod) August 26, 2019
On the other end of the scale… Hey, maybe C-3PO is just high?
C-3PO is high as hell. Circuits = fried. https://t.co/EN7Rs0SMjb
— Devon VanNote (@devonvannote) August 26, 2019
Wait, where have we seen glowing red eyes on another hi-tech individual in a different Disney movie recently?
Omg. Glowing red eyes. Do you know what that means?
C3PO just activated INSTAKILL pic.twitter.com/9q6jjFkJ29
— Robert Z (@Rob_Z_31) August 26, 2019
OK, this is pretty accurate.
Star Wars fandom in 2012 vs Star Wars fandom in 2019 pic.twitter.com/vZJsWsPHWG
— Noam Blum 🚡 (@neontaster) August 26, 2019
All will be revealed about Threepio, about Palpatine’s return, about Rey’s possible switch to the Dark Side and more when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker finally hits theaters this December 20th.
