When Star Wars made its large return into mainstream popular culture with The Drive Awakens, it introduced us a brand new set of main protagonists and all of the mysteries and questions a fan might ask for. One of many predominant sources of intrigue for viewers revolved round Rey’s (Daisy Ridley) household and lineage. Who was this orphaned lady left alone on a desolate desert planet? There was a transparent parallel between her and the Skywalker boys from the earlier two trilogies, however the inclusion of Ben Solo (Adam Driver) appeared to cancel that reality out. The thriller gave the impression to be unraveled in The Final Jedi, when it was revealed that her dad and mom had been just a few nobodies; non-players in all of the drama of this expansive house opera. However that itself ended up not being the ultimate revelation, as Rey was firmly linked as Emperor Palpatine’s granddaughter (sure, the Emperor Palpatine) in The Rise of Skywalker. The end result of that film noticed her reject that household and as an alternative keep on the mantle of the Skywalker title. For all of the twists and turns that got here with this household reveal, followers may be shocked to know that the unique concept for Rey didn’t have her linked to the Palpatines, Skywalkers, and even random nobodies scattered throughout the galaxy. As an alternative, the earliest plans for the character had her linked to some of the essential figures in Star Wars because the descendant of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
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In ‘Star Wars,’ Rey Was Initially Meant to be a Kenobi
Picture through LucasFilm
In an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Stay, Daisy Ridley revealed {that a} connection between Rey and Obi-Wan was one of many preliminary concepts round her character’s creation. When requested if she was conscious of Rey’s connection to Palpatine, Ridley famous that, “No. At the start there was toying with like an Obi-Wan connection.” After the discharge of Episode VII, followers had been enthralled by the thriller of Rey’s dad and mom and who she was linked to. On the time, Ridley really thought that, “lots was answered in The Drive Awakens”, resulting in followers scouring each a part of the film to develop their theories. The concept that Rey was linked to Obi-Wan was really one of many main theories on the time for quite a few causes. Ridley was allowed to maintain her British accent, making Rey and Obi-Wan two characters that had related talking patterns in such an unlimited universe. When Rey first picks up Anakin’s lightsaber in Maz Kanata’s palace, it was Obi-Wan’s voice that was most recognizable. Even Rey’s skills with the Drive appeared very Kenobi-esque, as she demonstrated a expertise with the Jedi thoughts trick, which is a method carefully related to Obi-Wan. From character design to dialogue, it appeared obvious that Rey was destined to have a reference to Obi-Wan.
Nonetheless, although Rey Kenobi could have been the unique intention, the plans weren’t set in stone and Rian Johnson took a unique route when he wrote and directed TLJ, as an alternative selecting to emphasise the expansive attain of the Drive by making Rey’s dad and mom a pair of nobodies who weren’t part of the better Star Wars lore and universe. This choice was acquired controversially, to say the least, as followers felt that this choice squandered all of the set-up of the thriller with little or no payoff. With the swap again to J.J. Abrams for the ultimate installment within the trilogy, they started contemplating that Rey could possibly be Palpatine’s granddaughter as an alternative. However as Ridley recalled, the choice wasn’t even finalized till the filming of Episode IX was already underway. This choice was broadly seen as a retcon of Johnson’s earlier pivot with Rey’s character, however has additionally acquired a considerably mixed-to-negative response from followers as nicely. No matter how favorable both of those choices have been acquired, the canon has firmly established Rey as a Palpatine, however together with her personal chosen choice to hold on the Skywalker title as an alternative.
What if Rey Was a Kenobi?
Picture through Lucasfilm
For a second although, it is all the time enjoyable to consider hypotheticals or alternate variations of Star Wars even when it might probably’t be canon (see all of the Legends media followers nonetheless beloved by followers). So, what if the unique concept carried via, and Rey was a Kenobi? Connecting Rey to Obi-Wan would have strengthened a few of the best traits of Star Wars. One such energy is the power to attract parallels and connections throughout generations of movies. George Lucas expressed the concept “It is like poetry, they rhyme” when speaking about a few of his plans for the prequel trilogy. This might have carried into the sequel trilogy by having a Kenobi be taught from a Skywalker, the best way a number of Skywalkers have discovered from a Kenobi.
Although the mainline movies are dubbed the Skywalker Saga, Obi-Wan was some of the integral components of the overarching narrative. Kenobi was one of many few characters to look in all 6 of the unique movies, even when it was solely as a Drive ghost in some. He was basically Anakin’s brother within the prequels, Luke’s first mentor within the authentic trilogy, however then was surprisingly absent within the sequels. Obi-Wan had taught a number of Skywalkers, so it could be poetic to have Luke and Leia train a Kenobi in return. Even when the main target was centered on the Skywalkers, Kenobi’s connection to that household ought to by no means be understated. By Ben Solo we obtained the continuation of the Skywalker clan, so together with Rey into the Kenobi household line would have added emphasis to household bonds not dictated by blood relation. Obi-Wan acquired redemption for his failures when he helped Luke on his path to defeating the Emperor and saving his father, however when the sequel trilogy introduced Palpatine again, the Kenobi lineage ought to have performed an even bigger half in lastly placing an finish to that reign of evil.
Theories and discourse apart, Daisy Ridley is ready to make a return to Star Wars in an upcoming movie, so followers all over the place ought to be excited to see what Rey Skywalker has been as much as all these years later.