Rey's Parents in Star Wars: A Closer Look

Throughout the Star Wars saga, the identity and background of Rey's parents have sparked intense debates and discussions. This article will delve into the various accounts provided by filmmakers, fans' interpretations, and the events of the Rise of Skywalker.

Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)

In The Last Jedi, director Rian Johnson establishes a brief but impactful narrative regarding Rey's parents. According to the movie, Rey's parents were unremarkable individuals - a man and a woman with no significant place in the saga. These characters remain nameless, emphasizing the unimportance of their role in Rey's life and the Star Wars universe. In this context, they are merely 'some bloke, some gal who were nameless and meaningless nobodies.'

Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

The final installment of the Skywalker saga, The Rise of Skywalker, introduces a complex and intriguing backstory for Rey. According to The Rise of Skywalker, directed by J.J. Abrams, Rey's parents were ordinary junk dealers who sold her as a child for alcohol. Tragically, they died from their vices soon after. However, this was a ruse to protect Rey, as the real truth is far more complex.

The truth, as revealed in The Rise of Skywalker, is that Rey's parents were in fact two clones of Emperor Palpatine who had escaped from the clone factory but were unable to harness the power of the Force. It was their wish to use Rey's unique Force potential to create a new body for Palpatine, ensuring his immortality.

In this sinister plot, Kylo Ren's investigation into Rey's parentage correctly identifies the truth. Rey, who initially calls herself Skywalker, is thus essentially the granddaughter of the Dark Side's most formidable force, Emperor Palpatine.

Personal Fan Theories and Headcanon

For many Star Wars fans, the official narratives provided by the films are just the beginning. There are countless theories and interpretations circulating among the fan community, often referred to as headcanon.

One popular fan theory suggests that Luke Skywalker is Rey's father, and that Leia Organa, who is Luke's twin sister, could be her mother. This theory is supported by the fact that Rey calls herself Skywalker at the end of The Rise of Skywalker. However, textual evidence from the Star Wars Expanded Universe and previous films does not confirm the existence of Rey as a character in those earlier works.

Some fans argue that the character of Rey is a conceptual impossibility because she is a Star Wars character that doesn't exist in the established lore. This theory aligns with the notion that a non-existent character has no parents, reinforcing the idea that Rey's existence and identity are a part of the storytelling process alone.

Regardless of the official narratives provided by the films, the question of Rey's parents remains a fascinating subject of discussion and debate within both the Star Wars community and among the broader audience.