6. Skull Face Is Major Zero
Kojima Productions
The Rumour: One of the big mysteries of The Phantom Pain so far is the identity of Skull Face, the villainous, heavily deformed XOF commander who, strangely enough, we even see riding in a jeep with Big Boss in the latest trailer as they arrive at a Metal Gear hangar. Early speculation tended towards the idea that perhaps Skull Face was Volgin, who had somehow survived his apparent demise in MGS3, and this was further fueled by the fiery apparition of Volgin that is seen in the hospital section of The Phantom Pain: foreshadowing, perhaps? Still, a far more interesting (and likely) suggestion is that Skull Face is, in fact, Major Zero himself.
How Likely Is It? Hideo Kojima said in an interview of the game's antagonist, "I cant say who it is. But its probably exactly who you think it is." Who would be a more natural, expected bad guy than Zero? In addition to this, Kojima has also compared Skull Face to Batman's Clayface, which while quite probably in reference to his literal physical appearance, could also be a hint that, like Clayface, Skull Face is a master of disguise, and his grotesque appearance is merely an elaborate mask. One key factor working against the theory is that Skull Face had been plotting to have Zero assassinated, though this could be explained away in the form of a schizophrenic episode or even a plain old ruse. It's certainly not past Kojima to go with something as ridiculous as that.
6/10.