Star Wars Theories: Who Is Rey?

Who is Rey?  I’m thinking that after The Force Awakens came out that most of you Star Wars fans stayed awake thinking over this question some nights (I still do sometimes). There are hundreds of theories that try to answer this question.  Is she a Skywalker?  A Solo?  Maybe she’s related to Obi-Wan-Kenobi?  Some theories are quite believable, while others are just plain weird.  Let’s look over some of those theories and see what could actually be possible.

Rey Is A Solo

This would actually be a pretty cool plot twist.  And it would kind of mirror the Expanded Universe story, that Han’s son turned to the Dark Side, while his daughter trained to be a Jedi.  Though, it would be terrible to watch a guy die and then find out later that he was your dad!

What’s Right About This Theory

Let’s start back when Han Solo takes Rey, Finn, and BB-8 to Takodana to see Maz Kanata. Han ask Rey what her name is, and when she tells him, he seems like.  “Oh, Rey.” And makes a strange face.  It almost seems like that Han was looking for confirmation that she was his abandoned daughter, Rey.  Later, when their in Maz’s cantina, Maz asks Han, “Who’s the girl?”  And its cuts away before we can hear what he says.  In fact, Han talked with Leia about Rey off-screen as well.  It looks like our two favorite rebels know something about her!  Rey and Han even finish each other’s sentences throughout the entire movie.  Also, Rey seems to be a really good pilot by nature, which would make sense if she was a solo.  Now for Kylo Ren.  Every time Ren hears the mention of a girl, he freaks out and is all like, “What girl?!”  Also, Star Wars.com has stated that when Kylo Ren is trying to probe the map out of Rey’s head, the two of the find a “Mysterious connection to each other.  If you read The Force Awakens novelization, you might find something very interesting in the battle between Ren and Rey.  After Rey surprises Ren and pulls the lightsaber out of the snow with the force, Kylo Ren mumbles the words, “It is you…”  So he obviously knows who she is, though it doesn’t necessarily mean she’s his sister, which I will touch more on later.

What’s Wrong With This Theory

Ok, so obviously, this theory has some pretty solid clues.  But what about those little things that get in the way of those clues?  I mentioned before that Han seemed to know a lot about Rey?  To me, that doesn’t really mean that Rey is a solo.  Han might just know who her parents are.  After Han tells Maz who Rey is, Maz tells Rey that whoever she’s waiting for is never coming back.  This might mean that Han told Maz that her parents are either dead or work with the First Order.  The same with Kylo Ren.  When he says, “It is you.”  He could be referring to her as somebody he met in Luke’s academy.  But that has it’s own problem.  According to J.J. Abrams, who directed The Force Awakens, he says that Rey and Ren have never even met before.  His exact words were…

“One of the new relationships that we were focusing on was Kylo Ren and Rey.  They’ve never met but he’s heard of this girl.”

Now, I’m not saying that this totally ruins the Solo theory, but they are some things to think about.  Now for the one that really hurts this theory.  Also according to Abrams, he said that Leia had never met Rey before.  When asked about Rey and Leia’s hug at the end of the movie, he answered with this…

“But this moment, I think, is actually lovely and the idea that these two women who’d never met knew each other, and they’re both Force-strong and they’re both bound by their loss and their strength.”

This may even be bad if your theory is that Rey is a Skywalker, but I will talk about that more when we get there.

Does This Theory Fit With The Timeline?

The answer is yes.  The timing is perfect with this theory, especially if Han and Leia got married following the events of Return of the Jedi.  This is a big boost for the Solo theory!

How Likely Is This Theory To Happen?

We have to think about how damaging the clues against this theory are.  But, there still is a pretty good chance that Rey is a Solo.

  

Rey Is A Skywalker

Now let’s look at the most obvious answer.  Personally, I don’t like this theory; it’s like, everyone would guess this.  But putting that aside, there are some things that serve as proof for this theory, as well as things that don’t.

What’s Right About This Theory

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about Star Wars.  You might think of Darth Vader or Princess Leia.  But another person that might come to your mind is Luke Skywalker.  That’s because Star Wars, besides all those other themes, is about the Skywalker family.  Episodes 4, 5, and 6 (the prequels) showed us the fall and transformation of Anakin Skywalker.  Episodes 1, 2, and 3 (the originals) showed us the courage of Luke and Leia Skywalker.  And what could episodes 7, 8, and 9 show us?  Perhaps the rise of Rey Skywalker?  This is why this theory is so possible; because Star Wars is about the Skywalker family.  Remember that it was Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber that called to her.  Maybe it’s why Rey is so powerful; because she had such a powerful father.  But now we have to figure out who the mother is…

What’s Wrong With This Theory

A lot of stuff somewhat points to Rey being Luke’s daughter, except for these few things.  Recently revealed The Last Jedi content showed us something that changes everything.  A Star Wars trading card had Luke, Rey, and what appeared to be Luke’s X-wing destroyed underwater near Ahch-To.  If Luke fled to the island right after the destruction of his island and dropped Rey off and the way, it couldn’t have been him because the ship in Rey’s vision was not an X-wing.  The only thing that would rule this out is if Luke ended up not leaving to Ahch-To right after the Jedi Temple Massacre and dropped Rey off first.  Another issue is something that I discussed with the Solo theory.  If Leia never met Rey, then what does that mean for Luke being Rey’s father?  Surely, Leia would want to see her niece, right?  And what about Kylo Ren?  Wouldn’t they have gotten together if they were cousins?  Remember when I mentioned when Maz told Rey that whoever she’s waiting for is never coming back?  Well after this, Maz then tells Rey that there is someone who still could.  Rey replied with, “Luke?”  Ok, so why would Luke be Rey’s father if Maz just told her that the people she’s waiting for aren’t coming back and then start talking about how Luke can help her?  That just doesn’t make any sense.

Does This Theory Fit With The Timeline?

The theory that Rey is a Skywalker does, in fact, fit with timeline.  As long as Luke found a wife soon after Return of the Jedi.

How Likely Is This Theory To Happen?

This is the theory that will most likely happen, regardless what the clues against it say.  Why?  Because, like I said, Star Wars is about the Skywalker family.

 

Rey Is A Kenobi

This is another very popular theory, and one that I don’t much care for.  Obviously, Obi-Wan can’t be her father, but he could be her grandfather.  There are things to consider though, like who is Kenobi’s wife?  If he had kids, where were they?

What’s Right About This Theory

This theory used seem like it could happen, but as time goes on, a lot of things are bringing down.  But I will talk about that later.  One thing that really catches people’s attention is Rey’s accent.  It is the same as Kenobi’s.  You might be wondering, “What does that have to do with it?”  Well, Rey’s actress, Daisy Ridley, was not the only British actor in The Force Awakens.  Finn’s actor, John Boyega, is British, but was asked to cover that with an American accent.  In fact, Rey and Kenobi are pretty much the only major characters in Star Wars that have a British accent, or, in Star Wars, a Core accent.  This means that Rey was most likely raised in the Core World system (Coruscant, Alderaan, etc.).  Two others have one too, but I’ll talk about that later.  And What about Rey’s vision?  Well, Kenobi’s voice is heard throughout the entire vision, saying things like, “You will be tempted…But you cannot control it”  And “Rey…these are your first steps…”  Kenobi even has the most lines in Rey’s vision.

What’s Wrong With This Theory

First off, we have no evidence whatsoever that Kenobi ever got married.  In fact, the only woman he ever loved (Duchess Satine of Mandalore) died in the Mandalorion Civil War.  Even if he did have a wife, where would his kids be?  A while back, there was a theory that Sabine was Kenobi’s daughter and Rey was Sabine’s daughter.  But this obviously went down the drain when they revealed who Sabine’s parents were.

Does This Theory Fit With The Timeline?

For Kenobi to be Rey’s father?  No.  For him to be her grandfather.  Yes.  This is why this theory is still in the game!

How Likely Is This Theory Going To Happen?

There is a very slim chance for this theory to be correct.  It would an interesting plot, but I just don’t see it happening.

 

Rey Is A Palpatine

This may be a little far fetched, at least in my opinion.  Once again, it’s impossible for Rey to be Palpatine’s daughter, but she just might be his granddaughter.  This would be very interesting if this theory is the case.

What’s Right About This Theory

When watching The Force Awakens, you might notice something about Rey’s fighting style.  She fights like Palpatine did.  They even make the same faces while fighting.  Another thing is Rey’s pull to the Dark Side.  Any Jedi could be pulled to the Dark Side, but this was like, really fast.  In the novelization of The Force Awakens, it says this about the moment when Rey begins to beat Kylo Ren in a lightsaber battle…

“One downward cut, she saw. One quick final strike, and she could kill him…”  “Kill him, a voice inside her head said. It was amorphous, unidentifiable, raw. Pure vengeful emotion. So easy, she told herself. So quick.”

What was that voice?  This part reminds me of the moment when Anakin kills Count Dooku.  Palpatine was sitting there, saying, “Kill him.”  And what if Rey had been a Padawan in Luke’s Jedi academy and after Kylo Ren joined the Dark Side, Luke became afraid of Rey’s power and left her on Jakku?  That makes sense!  Also, Palpatine is another major character that has a British accent.

What’s Wrong With This Theory

I don’t know about you, but I think that the Emperor was more interested in achieving control of the entire galaxy than having a family.  I highly doubt that Palpatine had any children.  Even if he did I’m pretty sure they would have been consumed by the Dark Side by their father.  This theory really makes since, but if it were true, I’d be really surprised.

Does This Theory Fit With The Timeline?

If Rey is Palpatine’s granddaughter, then yes.  Though it is still unknown that if Palpitine had a family, when that took place and where they were all this time.

How Likely Is This Theory Going To Happen

First of all, this theory would make a great story, but I don’t see it happening.  Rey may here strange voices in her head and use the same fighting style as the Emperor, but I just doubt that this is the case.

Rey Is A Bridger

If you read my post, “My Theory for Rey and Snoke”, then you know that this was my theory.  Note that I said was.  I’ve recently found that another theory that makes a little more sense, which I will discuss it here in a little bit.  Anyway, this theory is pretty good, but, like every theory, it has things wrong with it.

What’s Right About This Theory

Star Wars Rebel was first revealed soon after The Force Awakens was revealed, and it seems that anyone new to the Star Wars world could be Rey’s parents.  Obviously, Ezra would be the logical choice.  Ezra is very powerful in the force.  In fact, he just might be able to take down his master, Kanan Jarrus, in a lightsaber battle (which I would like to see happen, but that’s a whole different story).  Rey is extremely powerful as well.  So powerful that she could defeat Kylo Ren with no training.  As for that, I wonder if Rey really has been trained before.  Like at Luke’s academy?  Another theory out there that I want to mention is that Ezra could be Snoke, and something I think is a possibility is that Rey might be Snoke’s daughter, whoever he is.  But putting the Snoke theories aside, lets get back to Rey.  You might be wondering, if Ezra is Rey’s father, who is her mother?  This one is a little tricky, as it seems that Sabine Wren is a little more of a sister figure to Ezra than a love interest.  Although, it wasn’t always like that, and some people are still hopeful!  So if Ezra and Sabine got married sometime after Return of the Jedi, the timing is perfect!  Though, one thing we won’t no for sure until the end of Star Wars Rebels arrives is who will die.

What’s Wrong With This Theory

To me, the biggest problem here is that we have no clue who survives Star Wars Rebels.  The way that the last season is looking so far, we’re in for a very dark ending.  I’m starting to wonder if Ezra and Sabine will live or not.  Like I said, we won’t know for sure until next year who actually lives.  There’s really not a lot of things to say about this theory, and I have a hard time finding things against it.  All I can say is that they surely wouldn’t have Ezra be Rey’s father is Star Wars Rebels hasn’t ended yet.

Does This Theory Fit With The Timeline?

It actually does!  Ezra is the perfect age to be Rey’s father.  All he needs to do now is survive Rebels and marry Sabine!

How Likely Is This Theory To Happen?

If this theory happens, it’s going to be quite the surprise!  I think that it is very possible, but then again, anything is!

Rey Is A Jarrus

You probably don’t hear about this theory as much as the others, but it exists.  This theory isn’t as popular because it will has the most chance of not happening.  But you never know!  I have a feeling that when they reveal who Rey’s parents are it will be a shocking discovery.

What’s Right About This Theory

Let’s start with what was a simple tweet.  Freddie Prinze Jr., the voice of Kanan Jarrus, posted a picture of himself holding Rey’s staff and wrote…

“Hey, I needed a walking staff anyway #BlindJedi

So obviously people started to wonder if he was teasing that Kanan is Rey’s father.  Unless Rey is really is the reincarnation of the Chosen One, she would have to have at least one of her parents be Force-sensitive.  Kanan is one of the only Jedi left after Order 66.  In reality, these two things are the only clues we have of Rey being a Jarrus.

What’s Wrong With This Theory

I really do love this theory, but there is a ton of things wrong with it.  For instance, Rey was born eleven years after the Battle of Endor, and I highly doubt that Kanan will survive until then.  As of now, the final season of Star Wars Rebels is in full swing and I just don’t know how he could survive it, being a Jedi and all.  You might be wondering, if Kanan was Rey’s father, who would her mom be?  Obviously the answer is Hera.  Though, there’s just one little, bitty problem with that.  It is, as far as I know, biologically impossible for a Twi’lek, Hera’s creature, to have human children.  I guess it’s possible for Kanan to get married to someone else, but I highly doubt that.

Does This Theory Fit With The Timeline?

Well, not quite.  If you’ve been keeping up with Star Wars Rebels then you know that Kanan is probably an episode away from dying.  He might not be around anymore by the time that Rey is born.  Because, like, no major Jedi by the time of A New Hope, right?

How Likely Is This Theory Going To Happen?

Just like Kanan, this theory has a very low chance of survival.  If this is your theory, you might want to think up a different one.

 

Rey Is A Meeko

And now for my new theory!  I recently beat the single player campaign for Star Wars: Battlefront II and I think that the game dropped a few hints for us.  Everything about this theory makes sense, except for one huge problem that is introduced at the very end of the game.

What’s Right About This Theory

One thing about Rey that we see in The Force Awakens is that she is a very good pilot and mechanic.  While her story from the book “Before the Awakening” by Greg Rucka showed that she had a ton of experience, most of her skills might have been inherited.  Two characters from Battlefront II’s story mode, Iden Versio and Del Meeko, are very talented people.  You can read their story in my review for the game.  Anyway, Iden is an amazing pilot.  If you want something built, repaired, upgraded, anything like that, Del is the guy to ask.  If they are her parents, she must have inherited their skills.  I mentioned before two other characters that had a British (Core) accent, Palpatine was one of them.  Del is the other.  So Rey could have gotten her accent from him.  Next up is that Iden and Del both participated in the Battle of Jakku.  Jakku is where Rey was left as a child, so her parents had to have had some connection to the place.  We know from the ending of the story mode that Del must have gotten married to Iden and had a daughter.  We have yet to know that daughter’s name.  And one thing that I noticed in The Force Awakens after I played the game is that Rey shares the same line with Del when Kylo Ren tries to mind probe them (“Get out of my head!”).  Sure, this doesn’t really mean anything, but they are the only two people in Star Wars (that I know of) to say that line when being mind probed.  Everything seems to make perfect sense, but there is one major issue that I can’t ignore.

What’s Wrong With This Theory

The timeline is really messed up.  Sure, Del and Iden had to have gotten married soon after the Battle of Jakku, but the end of the game caused a problem.  (Spoiler Alert!) At the end of the game, about thirty years after the Battle of Jakku, Del was captured by the First Order and killed.  That is when we learn that Del was a father.  If I am correct, Rey was born ten years after the Empire ended on Jakku.  By the time of Del’s death she would be around her mid to late teens.  (By the way, Rey is nineteen in The Force Awakens).  Rey is assumed to have been left on Jakku when she was probably six of seven.  As far as I know, Del and Iden seemed to have led a pretty normal life after Jakku.  They would have no reason to leave Rey on Jakku if she wasn’t in some kind of danger.  Sometimes I wonder if Rey is the Chosen One and they were afraid of her power, so they left her.  This leads me to a problem that some people think is important.  With the biggest issue aside, lets talk about Rey’s force sensitivity.  Some of you might think that this theory is impossible because neither Iden nor Del are strong with the force.  But according to Star Wars 7 and 9 director J.J. Abrams, it apparently doesn’t have to be that way…

“And so, I really feel like the assumption that any character needs to have inherited a certain number of midi-chlorians or need to be part of a certain bloodline, it’s not that I don’t believe that part of canon…but I also say that the force has always seemed to me to be more inclusive and stronger than that.”

But unfortunately, force sensitivity is the least of the problems.  I don’t really know about this, but I think that the characters of Battlefront II might have been made up after Rey’s story had been thought up.  And it might make some people upset to have Rey’s parents shown through a video game instead of in the actual movies.  But we’ll have to wait and see!

Does This Theory Fit With The Timeline?

Not really.  Unless there was an actual danger to Rey’s well being long before Del’s death, it does not.

How Likely Is This Theory To Happen?

Well…as much as this theory actually makes sense, I doubt that it will happen.  Regarding the Meeko family’s daughter, if she is not Rey, there will be a Last Jedi DLC coming out on December 13, that will continue Iden’s story and might tell who their daughter is.

Side Note: The trailer for Battlefront II’s DLC came out yesterday and in a split-second shot I saw a new character.  I am almost sure that this new character is Del and Iden’s daughter, as she was wearing Del’s jacket, the probe droid was at her side, and she looked almost exactly like Del.  Now, this would surely mean that she is their daughter, but for the reason that we don’t know anything certain right now, this theory will remain on this post.

 

So there they are!  Obviously, this isn’t all of the theories, but there are just to many to talk about.  We will hopefully know the real answer of Rey’s parents when Star Wars: The Last Jedi releases on December 14, 2017.  I pre-ordered my tickets to see it opening day (the 15, opening night is the 14,).  My review for the movie will be out on the December 18, though I would watch the movie before reading it.

 

All media property of Lucasfilm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 thoughts on “Star Wars Theories: Who Is Rey?

  1. Lara Crabtree (Nana)

    Good read, Kaitlyn! This has been a question of mine for the past two years!….and, I think my strongest thoughts lean toward Rey being a Solo.

    Exciting week for you 😃 I bet you are about to bust waiting for this weekend!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. kkgrace02

      ArtsandHobbies2006, Rey could really be a Skywalker! Like I said in this post, the Star Wars trilogies are about the Skywalker family. (Mild spoiler if you haven’t seen Star Wars: The Last Jedi!) I have a feeling that Kylo Ren might be lying about Rey’s parents.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. ArtsandHobbies2006

        Oh, I DEFINITELY think Kylo Ren lied to her about her parents just to get her mad and turn to the dark side with him. And I also think that Snoke was a force projection like Luke, because he didn’t look as scarred in that part of the movie (at least I thought he didn’t), so he isn’t dead. AND Luke isn’t dead. I think he became one with the Force. I think he might come back in the next movie to fight with Rey against Kylo Ren.

        But that’s just my crazy theories… 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

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