J.J. Abrams, Rian Johnson, and Daisy Ridley have provided insights into the evolution of Rey’s backstory throughout the Star Wars sequel trilogy:
- Abrams had planned the mystery of Rey’s origins before The Force Awakens, with early ideas including an Obi-Wan Kenobi connection. However, he gave Rian Johnson freedom to explore the story in The Last Jedi.
- In The Last Jedi, Johnson revealed that Rey’s parents were “nobodies”. This was controversial, as it contradicted fan theories that she was related to established characters like the Skywalkers.
- Abrams retconned this in The Rise of Skywalker, confirming that Rey is actually the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine. Ridley said this decision was not finalized until midway through filming.
- Abrams and writer Chris Terrio saw Johnson’s revelations as “provocations” to expand upon in The Rise of Skywalker. They wanted to explore the idea that one’s lineage does not determine who they are.
- Ridley was not always sure of Rey’s origins, with the answer changing multiple times during production. She was initially told the character would have an “Obi-Wan connection”.
- Johnson emphasized that the emotional impact of Rey’s parentage reveal mattered more than the specific details. He was given freedom to decide her origins.
In summary, while Abrams had early ideas about Rey’s backstory, Johnson made a controversial choice in The Last Jedi that Abrams later retconned in The Rise of Skywalker, with the filmmakers aiming to make an emotionally resonant reveal.
