'Star Wars 9' theory reveals Zorri Bliss has an ancient Jedi connection

Though Zorri Bliss remains a relative mystery, the new Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker poster did reveal that the bounty hunter will at least be a Light side character. That’s good to know considering all the earlier speculation that argued she could be fighting for the First Order. Besides that, though (and theories about her being Rey’s mom), Zorri Bliss is still an enigma.

However, a thoughtful new theory suggests that Zorri is the galaxy’s version of Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft. Interesting, right? Let’s dive in.

Speculative spoilers ahead for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Another huge clue Zorri’s backstory might be hiding in plain sight. Redditor u/thekoonw theorizes that not only does Zorri’s role in Episode IX mirror that of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider, but insists that her costume is etched with the ancient Jedi language. Referred to by Star Wars Rebels’ Ahsoka Tano as the “old tongue,” the ancient Force language has appeared on the Jedi Temple of Lothal and in the Great Temple on Yavin 4.

Though the old language has never been given an official name, it has appeared across several mediums of the Star Wars franchise, most notably in the Rebels animated TV series. The language, which was used by Force users across the galaxy, appears prominently on Jedi temples, but it’s also been seen on the walls of the Sith Temple on Malachor. However, the script is most prominent on Massassi’s Great Temple on Yavin 4, one of the moons orbiting Yavin.

“Look at her costume and zoom in to see some kind of ‘language etched on her… belts?” the theorist writes. “Around her torso and her… golden metallic arm bands. The language looks familiar with the ‘old tongue’ language appeared in Rebels show.”

Here’s a close-up of Zorri’s costume. Just as the redditor claimed, there are markings across her torso belt and arms.

It looks a lot like the language inscribed on the temple seen in Star Wars Rebels, right?

It also looks eerily similar to the Sith language, which is unsurprising since the unidentified alphabet was meant for Force users of dark and light. It was also called the old tongue.

So, what does that mean for Zorri Bliss in Rise of Skywalker? Does her costume give away her connection to the Force? Is she actually a Force user? It’s not impossible, especially if she turns out to be Rey’s mom. Additionally, at D23, Keri Russell revealed that Zorri Bliss is an old friend of Poe’s. Where did Poe grow up? That’s right, on Yavin 4.

Could Zorri have been raiding the Great Temple of Massassi? Is that where she met Poe? Was he trying to stop her from raiding the temple and that’s where they crossed paths? It’s very possible, especially since Zorri is described as a scoundrel and criminal.

However, that’s a thin definition because Lara Croft herself was an archaeologist, not a criminal (though archaeologists have often described as such). Therefore, it makes sense for Zorri to have been a former archaeologist, so fascinated with the old Force language that she etched them into her outfit. Or, on the flip side, she might have actually been a protector of the ancient language and her job was to guard the Massassi temple from those looking to destroy it.

Yes, the etchings in her costume may provide some interesting speculation regarding Zorri’s backstory, as well as some clues indicating a possible connection to the Force. However, the theory has ultimately managed to make her all the more mysterious and maybe that’s the point.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters December 20, 2019.