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'Star Wars 9' Leaks May Reveal the Emperor's Terrifying New Ship

It's like the Death Star and a Star Destroyer had a baby...

by Jake Kleinman

The Emperor’s evil plan in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is still coming into view, and the latest toy leaks may reveal even more horrifying details. Could this be our first look at the epic space battle coming in Episode IX?

Warning! Possible spoilers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker ahead.

A report last week explained how the new Sith Troopers were actually Palpatine’s secret army, which had been hiding in wait on the edge of the galaxy in a Star Destroyer ship equipped with Death Star-level weaponry. (Yep, another Death Star.) Now, we may have our first look at that terrifying new ship.

Images recently shared on the Star Wars Leaks subreddit show a new ship called the Onager Star Destroyer. This version comes from the tabletop game Star Wars: Armada, which also features another ship called the New Republic Starhawk. However, just because these models come from a Star Wars game doesn’t mean they won’t also turn up in Episode IX. After all, this kind of merchandising crossover is what Star Wars is all about.

Ready? Here’s the new ship:

Yes, it looks awesome, sort of like a hammerhead shark in spaceship form. Assuming this is the same Sith Trooper ship with that Death Star-style weapon, we have to assume it’s housed in the big groove runs down the middle of the front half — there definitely seems to be some sort of turret poking out from the opening.

As one commenter pointed out, that design is also giving us Star Wars: A New Hope vibes in an interesting way.

“I see a trench,” writes redditor u/DiscoVolante7. “I see a trench run. I see a new Death Star!”

Now, here’s a second image of the Onager, along with that New Republic Starhawk:

Again, the Onager Star Destroyer looks awesome but doesn’t reveal any new details. The New Republic Starhawk is also an absolute beast. We’re a little unclear on how the Republic could have reformed in Episode IX and built this new ship after getting totally wiped out in The Force Awakens, though. Then again, considering that Rise of Skywalker will jump forward in time, it’s possible Luke and Rey’s actions at the end of The Last Jedi were enough to remobilize the galaxy against the First Order.

Either way, we’re hopeful that all these toys translate into massive new ships in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Not just because they both look freakin’ awesome, but because it would mean that we’re finally getting the one thing these sequel movies have been missing: a truly epic big space battle.

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

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