This is a franchise that likes to repeat itself.
However, after all the initial feverish speculation, it looks certain Star Wars will avoid a repeat of the Original Trilogy hint of incest. Or even twincest.
There is still plenty of room for mysterious parentage and fans had been hyped up for major revelations long before The Force Awakens hit screens. Unfortunately, the subject of Rey’s family ultimately became one of the main focuses of the growing fan backlash after The Last Jedi was released.
Will Episode 9 finally bring a resolution to the topic and somehow placate angry fans? A new leak promises a massive storyline twist.
It wasn’t just the desire to see Rey related to an iconic Star Wars legacy character, even if she wasn’t a Skywalker. There was some ill will because Disney, despite protestations to the countrary, had certainly enjoyed the endless speculation and the attention it kept on Episodes 7 and 8 across three years.
Even worse was the way that The Last Jedi actually built up the subject only to pull the rug during that contentious mirror scene in the cave on Ahch-To when Rey’s searched for her parents and ended up seeing her own reflection. Later in the movie the same tactics repeated but this time Kylo Ren told her they were worthless drunk traders who had basically swapped her for their next round of drinks.
To many, it almost felt like fans were being trolled, encouraged to expect and anticipate something huge and then laughed at.
JJ Abrama has openly declared his intention to bring in as much prequel and original trilogy material as possible. He also apparently had a different plan for Rey’s parentage than the one shown in Rian Johnson’s movie.
Can Abrams salvage the situation and give fans a final cathartic answer to the whole issue?
Previous leaks already teased scenes with a child Rey and a hooded man in two emotional scenes, who could clearly her father.
Now new reports of concept artwork and plans has introduced the idea Rey could have a brother. And it’s not Kylo Ren, although he could still be ‘related’ to what is shown in a key way..
As always, take any of these purported leaks and reports with a large pinch of salt. They are clearly impossible to verify until any footage is released and many scenes and plot points change as movie production progresses.
The leak describes teh following scene: “A description dubbed ‘Family Reunion’ has Rey in a black vest white tunic and grey pants. Next to her is a young adult male that has a striking resemblance to Rey. He has longish brown hair similar to Obi-Wan’s from Attack of the Clones but the hair is all one length. He wears a beige robe with brown gloves. The pants are coloured white with a black belt and dark brown cape. Rey’s hand rests on his shoulder.
“Behind then is an older man with a ponytail and to the left of Rey is a woman with dirty blonde hair and a white outfit. In front of them all is a young boy with black hair. They all stand on a cliff with a sunset background.”
Is this a vision? Could her parents really still believe? How could she have an adult brother? Is the small boy her child? Is black-haired Kylo Ren the father?
Remember when Rey first meets BB-8 in The Force Awakens she says she is waiting for “my family.” This is clearly different from saying “my parents.” This implies she has memories of more than just a mother and father. There are numerous possibilities of canon characters, Jedi and otherwise, who couls be the parents.
The whole concept takes everything is a powerful new direction and could also set up future storylines beyond Episode 9. Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy openly spoke about more films featuring Rey.