Why Was Snoke Killed So Fast and Could He Still Be Alive?

Introduction

The death of Supreme Leader Snoke in The Rise of Skywalker has puzzled many fans. Here, we explore the reasons behind his swift demise, and the implications surrounding his possible survival. We will draw insights from interviews, the films, and the discussions of the film’s creators, focusing on the character development of Kylo Ren and the intricacies of the Star Wars universe.

Why Was Snoke Killed So Fast?

Rian Johnson, the director of The Last Jedi, addressed the question of Snoke's swift death during an interview with /Film. Johnson explained that this decision was made to synchronize Syko's fall with the transformation of Kylo Ren into a full-fledged Sith Lord.

Johnson stated, 'Kylo’s arc in this movie, besides his relationship with Rey, I saw as the big arc for Kylo breaking down this kind of unstable foundation that he's on and then building him to where by the end of the film he’s no longer just a Vader wannabe. But he’s stepped into his own as kind of a quote-unquote villain but a complicated villain that you understand.' With this in mind, the idea that Kylo would get to that place by the end of the film led to the conclusion that Snoke must be removed from the picture. Johnson further elaborated, 'If Kylo’s gotta get to a place of actual power, the ultimate expression of that would be him ascending beyond his master.' This justifies why Snoke had to die quickly to allow Kylo to step into his role as a true Sith Lord.

On-Screen Relevance

The quick demise of Snoke was also intentional to maintain the narrative focus. A sequence of events that featured Snoke's survival would have detracted from the main storyline. If Snoke were to outlive Kylo, the audience would be left questioning which of the two would serve as the primary antagonist, disrupting the flow of the story.

Johnson added, 'It was unexpected for him and the audience and I thought it was a surprise that worked well. The way in which Kylo misleads him is quite well done and subtle. It's easy to miss the first time you watch the movie.' By executing this surprise, Johnson ensured that the audience remained engaged and emotionally invested in the final moments of the film.

Illusory Death: The Case of Darth Maul and Snoke

Despite the seemingly final blows, characters in the Star Wars universe such as Darth Maul have shown incredible resilience. Given the advanced medical technology and Force-based abilities present in the lore, even a seemingly fatal injury like being cut in half might not be the end for a powerful figure like Snoke.

Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock in the original series, once said, 'Darth Maul could survive being cut in two by a lightsaber, so could Snoke.' This perspective acknowledges the possibility that even a critical injury in the Star Wars universe might not spell immediate death. However, the filmmakers chose not to go this route, as detailed in the following sections.

Scars and Physical Defects

Regarding the origin of Snoke’s scars, actor Andy Serkis, who provided the Performance Capture for Snoke, revealed that the scars were meant to represent previous battles and physical decay. He said, 'It is to do with previous battles. It's a sort of decay as well. He's quite an old character and those battle scars are affecting his recovery, and his body's started to break down as well.'

These scars, which served to depict an older and more battle-worn character, had no specific origin within the films. The films did not delve deeply into Snoke's backstory, including details about how he sustained these scars. This ambiguity adds to the enigmatic nature of the character, leaving room for speculation and interpretation among the fanbase.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the swift death of Snoke in The Rise of Skywalker was heavily influenced by the story's progression and narrative needs. The focus on Kylo Ren's development and transformation required Snoke's removal from the picture to facilitate this arc. Additionally, the decision to keep Snoke's backstory ambiguous allowed for a multi-layered and intriguing character that leaves much to be speculated about.

From a canonical standpoint, the possibility of Snoke's survival, given the resilience of other characters in the Star Wars universe, remains an intriguing question. Nonetheless, the deliberate choice made by the filmmakers to depict his death as final ensured a satisfying and engaging conclusion to the Skywalker saga.