Supreme Leader Snoke, a creation of Darth Sidious, served as a puppet leader to manipulate the First Order and Kylo Ren. Despite being a powerful Force user, his true role was to facilitate Sidious' plans, culminating in his death in "The Last Jedi."
Supreme Leader Snoke emerged as a shadowy figure in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, revealed as the enigmatic leader of the First Order and mentor to Kylo Ren.
His towering holographic form and cryptic dialogues left fans curious about his origins and true intentions. Introduced in "The Force Awakens," Snoke's past was shrouded in mystery, with little known about his true nature or the extent of his dark powers.
His commanding presence and manipulative tactics made him a formidable foe, continuing the legacy of the Sith's influence even after the fall of the galactic Empire.
Supreme Leader Snoke was revealed to be a creation of Darth Sidious, engineered to serve as a puppet leader while Sidious recovered in the shadows.
Created on Exegol by the Sith Eternal, Snoke was a strandcast—an artificially created being with manipulated genetics, designed to fulfill Sidious's commands. His damaged visage and powerful presence masked his true role as a mere instrument of the Sith, crafted to bring about the resurgence of dark side dominance through the First Order.
The distinction between a clone and a strandcast lies in their creation; clones are exact genetic replicas, while strandcasts are genetically modified beings designed for specific purposes. In the canon, Snoke falls into the latter category, crafted by Sith alchemists under Sidious's orders.
He possessed unique traits and an independent mind, yet was ultimately bound to the will of his creator, serving as a pivotal figure in the dark schemes orchestrated from the shadows of the Sith.
Snoke's primary role was to bridge the gap in leadership within the dark side following the demise the Empire.
As a powerful dark side user, he manipulated Kylo Ren, pushing him towards a destiny of darkness while overseeing the First Order's rise to power.
His leadership facilitated the continuation of Sith traditions and the destabilization of the galaxy, paving the way for Sidious's return. Despite his eventual assassination, Snoke's influence extended beyond his physical existence, contributing significantly to the dark side's enduring legacy.
Snoke was a formidable force user, wielding the dark side of the Force to exert control and instill fear. His powers included telepathy, Force projection, and possibly other abilities that allowed him to dominate the First Order and manipulate its leaders.
However, his physical form was a limitation; his strandcast body was not designed for battle, lacking the physical prowess typically associated with Sith Lords. His strength lay in his ability to influence and command, rather than in direct combat.
Speculation about Snoke's identity as Darth Plagueis captivated fans prior to the revelation of his true origins.
Plagueis, known as a master of life and death within Sith lore, was thought to have survived his assassination, leading to theories about his return. However, these were dispelled with the disclosures in "The Rise of Skywalker," which confirmed Snoke as a creation of Sidious, designed to serve the specific purpose of facilitating the Sith Lord's grand strategies.
Intrigue surrounds the potential connection between Grogu, the beloved character from "The Mandalorian," and Snoke. Speculations hint at the use of Grogu's DNA in the creation of Snoke, given Grogu's high midi-chlorian count and Force sensitivity.
These theories suggest that elements of Grogu's genetic material could have been integrated into Snoke's design, potentially explaining some of Snoke's powers. However, the full extent of this connection remains a mystery, with more details possibly to be explored in future installments of the Star Wars saga.
Behind the scenes, the creation of Supreme Leader Snoke in the Star Wars story was a feat of technological innovation and artistic expertise.
Andy Serkis, celebrated for his pioneering motion capture performances, infused life into Snoke across "The Force Awakens" and "The Last Jedi." Each appearance of Snoke saw his visual design undergo significant refinement by the team at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), culminating in a more detailed and textured portrayal in "The Last Jedi."
Serkis's dynamic performance captured through sophisticated motion capture technology allowed for an intricate range of facial expressions and movements. Notably, for "The Last Jedi," the production team also constructed a practical maquette of Snoke to assist with lighting setups and to facilitate interactions with actors, though the character was ultimately rendered entirely in CGI.
In the narrative arc of the Star Wars saga, Supreme Leader Snoke's presence was both fleeting and profoundly influential. Initially introduced as an enigmatic holographic figure in "The Force Awakens," he was established as the enigmatic Supreme Leader of the First Order.
In "The Last Jedi," Snoke was presented in the flesh, demonstrating his formidable prowess with the Force before his surprising demise at the hands of Kylo Ren. His story reached a revelatory conclusion in "The Rise of Skywalker," where it was disclosed that he was an engineered proxy of Emperor Palpatine, crafted to sway Ben Solo and command the First Order.
Throughout these appearances, Snoke's character transitioned from a mysterious force to a palpable threat, and ultimately to a critical element of Palpatine’s broader machinations, enriching the complex narrative tapestry of the sequel trilogy.
Created by Darth Sidious to serve as a proxy leader, Snoke's manipulation and control over the First Order were pivotal in the resurgence of Sith influence across the galaxy.
Though his physical form was a mere vessel for Sidious's will, Snoke's impact on the narrative was profound, pushing characters like Kylo Ren towards their destinies and shaping the political landscape of the New Republic era.
His existence, a blend of dark side alchemy and strategic foresight, highlights the enduring reach and adaptability of the Sith, ensuring their influence persists even in their apparent absence. As the Star Wars story continues to expand, the echoes of Snoke's legacy and the mysteries surrounding his creation promise to resonate in future tales of conflict and power.
