1. He's A One-Off Villain Destined To Die While The Other Bad Guys Are Built Up
The most likely part the General will play in the Sequel Trilogy is that of a one-shot villain. He'll die, spectacularly, by the end of The Force Awakens. In this regard, his role is identical to that of Grand Moff Tarkin - a chilling presence that helps to make the first part of a trilogy successful but which doesn't continue beyond that first instalment. This arrangement has the benefit of allowing Snoke, the evil foe destined to become more important in Episodes VIII and IX, to be introduced briefly in The Force Awakens without the need for him to have a fully fleshed-out role. Once the General is killed off, Snoke can emerge from the shadows and become a greater threat as the trilogy gets into high gear. Also, limiting the General to only one film provides Abrams with a golden opportunity for a great death scene. This article has already discussed how a Death Star-lite superweapon seems to be an inevitable feature of the film's plot - what better way for Hux to be killed off than by the use of his own weapon of mass destruction? Perhaps this apocalyptic exit occurs just as the General addresses his men from atop the imposing stage at the front of the parade ground seen in the trailer. Talk about hoist by his own petard! But before Gleeson's character goes down, expect him to leave his mark. If another well-circulated theory is true, Han Solo is destined to die, and someone has to kill him. Could the General be the man responsible for killing such a beloved icon? That would assuredly be a part in Star Wars history worthy of Domhnall Gleeson. Which theory seems most likely to you? Do you have other ideas for who the General is? Let us know in the comments section!