Star Wars fans just realising Darth Plagueis was in Episode 1 and we all missed it

From now on, we need to pay more attention to what’s happening, lest we miss more moments like this one.

The Star Wars fandom has been busy coming to terms with a Sith reveal that’s divided them thanks to The Acolyte.

Still, while we’re all reeling from a brutal 19 year record being broken thanks to that surprise reveal, is that really any excuse not to have realised this?

You see, unbeknownst to many of us, Darth Plagueis was in Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

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As with most discoveries, this information came to light on Reddit when user DisturbedSnowman posted, “It's really cool to know that Darth Plagueis was alive for most of The Phantom Menace and was in a couple of scenes but just off-screen.”

They added, “Knowing that Plagueis was spying on Sidious and Maul, and then later on Qui-Gon and Anakin, makes the film all the more enjoyable.”

We never see the legendary Sith, however, he is there all the same.

The reason this detail is so easily missed, especially by film fans, is because Darth Plagueis’ role is mentioned in novels rather than acted out on screen.

Of course, whether him being alive is canon is up for debate; and believe us when we say that the fans are debating it fiercely.

User Jr9065 explains, “In canon, Plagueis was likely killed many years before Episode I. Plagueis book, which is legends, has him killed near the end of the events of Episode I.”

If you’re curious what “scene” Plagueis is off-screen lurking in, allow Agatha_SlightlyGay to give you the quick lowdown, “It’s right after Dooku (still a jedi) talks to Palpatine about a boy of nine years age being brought to the temple by Qui Gon,”

“Palpatine goes ‘wait a second nine years ago?’ because him and Plagueis did some crazy experiments nine years ago [...] so he informs Plagueis immediately, who goes to try to see Anakin,” they explain.

You learn something new every day...!