Throughout the Star Wars franchise, iconic villains like Kylo Ren, Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Darth Maul, and others have made their mark and left. However, the persistent threat of ultimate evil in the galaxy has endured. In the official canon, the Sith have existed for millennia. While they did hide in the shadows during the rise of the Jedi Order, they have consistently posed a threat and wielded considerable influence. Even in the Skywalker Saga films, the Sith serve as the primary antagonists. Despite the sequel trilogy initially distancing itself from this Sith legacy, Emperor Palpatine returns in the end.
In The Rise of Skywalker, Palpatine dwells in the mysterious realm of Exegol, concealed within the uncharted regions of the galaxy. Our heroes discover that Exegol is the secret world of the Sith and plays a significant role in their history. Countless Sith loyalists reside there, devoting their lives to assisting Palpatine in restoring his full power. Undeniably, Exegol holds immense importance in the Sith's history. However, it is not the sole planet recognized as a Sith homeworld. Korriban, another world within the Star Wars galaxy, has also housed numerous iconic Sith Lords. Consequently, questions arise regarding which world carries greater significance for these villains and the distinctions between them.
Korriban, alternatively known as Moraband in certain stories, was initially introduced in the Star Wars canon. The first depiction of Korriban was in the video game Star Wars: The Old Republic, where it played a significant role in the storyline. During this era, when the Sith were abundant, many of these antagonists considered Korriban their home and gravitated towards it. The allure of immense power in the dark side of the Force emanated from the planet, attracting these Sith individuals who sought to harness it for their personal gain and amplification of strength.
Darth Bane, one of the most renowned Sith Lords who never made an official live-action appearance, was laid to rest on the planet Korriban. He was the Sith Lord responsible for implementing the Rule of Two, a tactic that limits the number of Sith to prevent power struggles. This strategic move aimed to curb their incessant desire for leadership and supremacy. The Rule of Two drastically transformed the Sith, enabling them to remain hidden while they meticulously planned their revenge during the Jedi's prime. Ultimately, this plot was executed by Emperor Palpatine in the prequel trilogy.
In contrast, Exegol, introduced to canon in 2019, lacks the extensive historical background of Korriban. However, it is strongly implied that Exegol holds equal if not greater significance to the Sith. The planet is veiled in myriad undisclosed secrets. Nonetheless, Emperor Palpatine utilized Exegol as his stronghold during the Galactic Empire's reign and his subsequent recovery following the downfall of his dictatorship. It also served as the birthplace of Supreme Leader Snoke. These key facts have already established its importance within the existing franchise narrative. Essentially, while Korriban held immense importance for the storyline of Darth Bane and historical Sith, Exegol now holds comparable significance for modern followers of the dark side of the Force.
Remarkably, Exegol is not an inherently dark planet. Instead, it underwent a transformation to assume its ominous character when the Sith triumphed over the world and established it as their abode, setting it apart from other worlds such as Korriban. This notion was subtly alluded to in The Rise of Skywalker, as the skies cleared and the lightning ceased once Palpatine was ultimately vanquished. This serves as another distinctive contrast between the two Sith planets, Exegol and Korriban.
The Sith have historically held great influence in a distant galaxy. Yet, the possibility of their presence in Daisy Ridley's upcoming New Jedi Order film, which takes place fifteen years following the sequel trilogy, seems unlikely. Following Palpatine's downfall on Exegol, Rey and her allies may confront unfamiliar adversaries as the Star Wars franchise expands and progresses beyond the events of the Skywalker Saga. Although the film's official release date remains unknown, there is speculation that it will occupy one of the two 2026 slots allocated for Star Wars movies.
