The lineage of Daisy Ridley’s Rey was one of the big mysteries set up by J.J. Abrams in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, only for Rian Johnson to throw fans a curve ball in Star Wars: The Last Jedi by revealing that the aspiring Jedi’s parents were “nobodies” – filthy junk traders who sold her off for drinking money before winding up dead in a pauper’s grave on Jakku.
Of course, if you’ve seen Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, then you’ll know that isn’t the case after all, with Episode IX revealing that Rey is actually the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine, a.k.a. the Sith Lord Darth Sidious. And, speaking to Vanity Fair, Abrams has discussed why he chose to retcon Rey’s background and throw in a new twist to the tale in the final act of the Skywalker Saga:
“One of the themes of [The Last Jedi] is that anyone can be anything regardless of where you’re from,” states Abrams. “I don’t know if it resonates for everyone. I think there are quite a few people who appreciate that idea of not coming from a place that you’re particularly excited about or proud of. Though I completely understand ‘you’re nobody’ is a devastating thing, to me the more painful, the more shocking thing was ‘you’re from the worst possible place.’ And is your destiny, is that thing that you feel, that you know is part of you, somehow, that you’re haunted by, is that your destiny? The idea that choices — there are things more powerful than blood, as Luke says. That feeling was an important thing to convey for us.”
SEE ALSO: J.J. Abrams says fans and critics of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker are both right
What do you make of Abrams’ decision to retcon Rey’s parents? Was it the right decision? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker sees J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) directing a cast that includes Star Wars veterans Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix), Greg Grunberg (Snap Wexley), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) and Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa) as well as new additions Naomi Ackie (Lady Macbeth), Richard E. Grant (Logan), Dominic Monaghan (Lost), and Keri Russell (The Americans).
