One of the more controversial aspects of The Last Jedi is the story of Rey’s parentage. After Star Wars: The Force Awakens, most fans began to theorise about the titular character’s background. After all, Rey received visions the moment she touched Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber, and Maz Kanata’s cryptic words — “a story for another time” — seem to point towards a Jon Snow in Game of Thrones type of situation. Some wondered if Rey’s father was Luke, others figured she could be Obi-Wan’s granddaughter. However, in Rian Johnson’s sequel, it was revealed that Rey’s parents were nothing but filthy junk traders who sold her off for drinking money.
This rubbed half the fan base the wrong way, while the other half loved the idea of Rey being a nobody. Great people do not have to come from greatness. However, it looks like there’s more to the mystery than what was revealed in The Last Jedi. In an interview with ABC, J.J. Abrams revealed that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will continue to explore the mystery surrounding Rey’s parents.
“I will say that we knew, going into this, that this movie, it had to be a satisfying conclusion. And we were well aware that that’s one of the things that’s been out there. I don’t want to say that what happens in Episode 8 didn’t happen. We have honoured that. But I will say that there’s more to the story than you’ve seen.”
The first thing that pops into mind is that Kylo Ren was lying in The Last Jedi. But that wouldn’t make a lot of sense considering it was Rey who first tells Kylo, “they’re nobodies.” So perhaps someone gave Rey away to filthy junk traders to protect her, almost akin to Ned Stark adopting the son of Lyanna and Rhaegar Targaryen but telling everyone it’s his bastard.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits cinemas this December.
