Daisy: Rey’s Parentage Not Set Until TROS
Thanks to Daisy Ridley, we now know that Rey’s parents were in Flux
I distinctly remember walking out of the theater completely in a tizzy.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens had been EVERYTHING I’d wanted, especially when — at the end — Luke Skywalker appeared.
Albeit for seconds.
However, there was one nagging question on my mind:
“She’s not Luke’s daughter. Right? Han Solo’s? She’s got an English accent. Obi-Wan’s… grandaughter then?
“Rey’s a Kenobi?”
Then, later, I looked at the DVD and saw Rey’s movements echo Palpatine’s (very) angry, thrust-and-parry lightsaber style.
And, the scavengers oft-used “Rey Roar” as she enters a battle.
“Rey. A Palpatine? No,” I thought.
Well, yes. And yes.
Rey Kenobi or Empress Palpatine
In the end, and just like the fate of Luke, Leia, and Han, Rey’s ultimate fate and parentage were always in flux.
And for those of us, first-generation Star Wars fans (those of us who saw the Original Trilogy in theaters, the first time), strange parentage (couplings) is NOT unfamiliar.
I mean, I am pretty sure George didn’t think Luke and Leia were brother and sister when he wrote this scene.
So, when Rey became a Palpatine in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, I was not surprised. I’d be lying if I wasn’t a little annoyed — only because I wish they had given us more explanation on-screen — but I accepted it.
However, I have thought about Rey Skywalker nee Palpatine nearly every day since.
In a wonderful interview (do either pair of celebs have better smiles?) Daisy Ridley admits to Josh Gad that Rey’s biological parentage slid around during the production of the three films.
An Obi-Wan Connection?
“No,” was Ridley’s response when asked if she knew who Rey’s parents were from the beginning.
“At the beginning, there was toying with like an Obi-Wan [Kenobi] connection,” she added. “There were different versions and then it really went to that she was no one.
“And then it came to Episode IX and JJ [Abrams] pitched me the film and was like, ‘Oh yeah, Palpatine’s grandaddy and I was like, ‘Awesome.’ And then two weeks later he was like, ‘Oh we’re not sure.
“So, it kept changing,” said Ridley. “So, then even during filming, I wasn’t sure what the answer was going to be.”
Will Ridley And Rey Return?
But, honestly, the answer Star Wars fans want NOW is whether Daisy would return to the role of Rey in the future.
“I’d say never say never,” said Ridley. “But to me, Rise of Skywalker was [pantomines tying a bow] tied up in a bow.”
Smiling broadly, Ridley watched as Josh Gad mused, “I hope that we get to see [Rey’s] story continue 10 years from now and that you won’t be selfish.”
Of course, Ms. Ridley had the last laugh.