One key question drives the Star Wars sequel trilogy: who is Rey? It’s a question that’s both thematic (who is she, and who does she choose to be?) and literal (who’s she related to?) – and while the ultimate answer proved controversial, actor Daisy Ridley revealed that the exact lineage of Rey changed as the films went on. As The Rise Of Skywalker unfolds, it emerges that – SPOILER WARNING – Rey is actually descended from the not-so-late Emperor Palpatine, and is destined to join him on the Dark Side. Except, Rey ultimately rejects that fate, chooses the path of the Jedi, and restores order to the galaxy. The end.
But speaking to her pal Josh Gad on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Ridley opened up about the changing story of Rey as the films went on. “At the beginning, there was toying with an Obi-Wan connection," she says. "There were different versions. Then it really went to that she was no-one. And then it came to Episode IX and JJ pitched me the film and was like, ‘Oh yeah, Palpatine’s granddaddy.’ I was like, ‘Awesome.’ And then two weeks later he was like, ‘Oh, we’re not sure.’ So it kept changing.”
It seems the question of Rey’s identity is one that will always prove divisive between fans: would it add anything if Rey was related to Obi-Wan, and would it have been something that tied into the long-mooted Obi-Wan series? Would it be better if Rey really was no-one and didn’t have to come from a grand space dynasty to become a true Jedi knight? Or does it offer better echoes of the past with Rey learning about her Dark Side lineage and connection to Palpatine, having to face up to her supposed path and make the right choice? Begun, the comment war has.