Daisy Ridley has offered her opinion on Rey’s evolving parentage that got not one, but two reveals in the sequel trilogy.
In case you’ve blocked out the events of the sequel trilogy, in Rian Johnson’s Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, it’s revealed that Rey’s parents were nobodies in the grand scheme of things, connecting her to none of the famous Jedi families. However, J.J. Abrams’ Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker confirmed her to be the granddaughter of none other then Emperor Palpatine. At the end of the film, she also claims the name Skywalker, connecting her to Luke, Leia, and even Ben.
The lack of cohesion in the story was something that many Star Wars fans took issue with, a problem that comes with switching directors so frequently within one trilogy.
While interviewing with Rolling Stone for her upcoming film that she starred in and produced, Sometimes I Think About Dying, Daisy Ridley gave her opinion on her character’s parentage.
“Well, J.J. [Abrams] was the one who was like, she is of no one, so it wasn’t just The Last Jedi where that was the message,” she commented. “What was interesting about the last one, for me, was that you can be a hero and not come from anywhere or you can be a hero and come from literally the worst person in the universe. You’re not your parents, you’re not your grandparents, you’re not your bloodline and you’re not the generations before you. So, I always was like, sure.”
Of course, this isn’t the message that the Star Wars franchise stuck with. Still, as Ridley reasoned, this is “beyond [her] pay grade”.
“I say the words, do the thing,” Ridley continued. “I do love the version of, you can be anyone you want to be, but I also love the version where you can rectify wrongs and can’t help what you’re born into.”
If we read between the lines, it seems that Ridley has made her peace with where Rey’s family went – but she prefers the initial message of her parents being no-one. In the world of Star Wars where everyone central to the story seems to be a Skywalker, it was refreshing to see a new character rise up who wasn’t connected to the traditional families – until she was.
Featured image: Disney
