It couldn’t come sooner, since the parentage debate has torn apart the fandom and sent theorists into a tizzy ever since the credits rolled on The Force Awakens last December. The fandom discourse surrounding her parents has been brutal, pitting friend against friend in a way that would make Anakin and Obi-Wan’s fight look chill in comparison.
To celebrate finally – finally! – having confirmation on when we’ll find out who Rey’s family is, here are a few of the most popular parentage theories, as well as their odds on whether or not they’ll be canon come December 17, 2017. Feel free to place your bets.
Theory #1: Rey is Luke Skywalker’s Daughter
Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm
It’s the most popular theory among the casual Star Wars fans, and for good reason – it’s also the most likely to be true. The Rey Skywalker camp has a lot to go on when it comes to theorizing. The Skywalker saber called to Rey, she had a Force vision featuring several scenes from Luke’s life, and her skill with the Force certainly points in the direction of the galaxy’s most powerful Jedi. Plus, they both grew up on desert planets and are excellent pilots. Rey being Luke’s daughter also means there’s a good Skywalker to carry on the family legacy, as Kylo Ren doesn’t look like he’s turning good any time soon. Though it would disappointingly mean another dead or absent mother, the odds are definitely in the ReySky camp’s favor.
Odds: The safest bet to make. Unless Lucasfilm pulls a twist, it’s very likely that we’ll see another “I am your father”-esque reveal in Episode VIII. The real question becomes why Rey was left on Jakku, and as a result how will Rey react to finding out her father was alive but never came back for her.
Theory #2: Rey is Han and Leia’s Daughter
Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm
Oh, Rey Solo, how I miss thee. My personal favorite theory post-TFA was that Han and Leia had two children, one of whom was kidnapped and left on the deserted Jakku. Rey looks like she could be Leia’s daughter, and she certainly has both her parents’ feistiness and courage. Besides, how emotional would it be to have sibling vs. sibling when it comes to her and Kylo Ren? Unfortunately, the theory has been pretty much debunked by both Ridley and the extra canonical materials, so unless we’ve been lied too, Rey Solo isn’t looking too good.
Odds: Very low. Sure it’s great for fanfiction and AUs, but in terms of the canon? It’s highly unlikely, and if it turned out to be true then Han, Leia, and Lucasfilm itself have some explaining to do.
Theory #3: Rey is Obi-Wan’s Granddaughter
This is where the theories get a little more complex. Some fans have theorized that Rey could be a descendent of Obi-Wan Kenobi. After all, they both used the same mind trick and Rey’s saber fight with Kylo is awfully reminiscent of Obi-Wan’s duel on Mustafar with Anakin. Bringing the Kenobi lineage back would be a clever move, and Obi-Wan did have a canon love interest in the Clone Wars TV show. However, things get sticky when you try to explain the family tree without Obi-Wan ever having a romantic interest in the films. While it would be a wonderful parallel to see a Skywalker train a Kenobi, the confusion might drive fans away.
Odds: Low. Sure, they might go that route, but it might be too complicated to explain to the average viewer. There are far safer bets to make when it comes to Rey’s family.
Theory #4: Rey is a Palpatine
Talk about plot twist. Some have theorized, based on Rey’s location on top-secret and important-to-the-Empire Jakku, that Rey is actually a descendant of former Emperor Palpatine. Honestly, this might be the second longest shot of all. Outside of how gross it is to think about Palpatine having a kid, would Star Wars really risk all this goodwill by having Rey be a descendant of the ultimate Big Bad? I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that this is one theory that really won’t be happening.
Odds: Very low. It’s a sort of interesting concept but definitely not one that the general audience would probably like. Place your bets elsewhere, though also not with….
Theory #5: Rey is Anakin Reincarnated
No, Rey, you are Luke’s father. Or at least, that’s what some denizens of the Internet think. Rey’s similarities to Anakin Skywalker have prompted some to think she is the reincarnated Chosen One, and that’s why the Skywalker saber calls to her and she was able to access the Force so easily. This one can practically be marked off as incorrect on the spot. Would a Reyincarnation plot make sense with the current Star Wars canon? Or even be particularly empowering for Rey? Not exactly. It would take Star Wars from family drama to disaster.
Odds: Nonexistent. Don’t put your money on this. You’re better than this. Bet on something else.
Theory #6: Rey is Jyn Erso’s Daughter
They do look alike. Some theorists have wondered if Jyn might be Rey’s long lost mother. The actresses do look and sound alike, and the film would give Jyn a chance to stand on her own as a character instead of just being a baby incubator for Rey. Who the father is is up to discussion, though the Rey Erso Skywalker camp firmly believes Jyn met and married Luke after the events of their respective films. However, Lucasfilm insider Pablo Hidalgo has said Rey and Jyn aren’t related, and Ridley implied Jyn would be more likely to be Rey’s grandmother than mother. Still, one has to wonder if Lucasfilm might pull a fast one and surprise us by making Rey an Erso.
Odds: 50/50. It all depends on how much you take Pablo Hidalgo’s word as law, and whether or not you want to see Rogue One as being a prequel/tie-in to the Sequel Trilogy.
Theory #7: Rey is Just Rey
The simplest answer might be the correct one. Rey might be a “nobody,” someone from a family who was forced to leave her on Jakku or who was abandoned, who is gifted in the Force. The twist would then stem from why she was on Jakku and what her relation is to the Skywalker legacy (no, I’m not talking Reylo, that’s gross). She could even wind up being adopted by the Skywalker clan, so Rey Skywalker might still be in the cards. But Rey’s destiny might be tied to the Force outside of her family. After all, Rey is important and kickass regardless of who her family is, and she shouldn’t be defined by who her parents are.
Odds: Fairly high. The most likely options are Skywalker or Rey Random, so if you’re feeling something outside of Rey being Luke’s kid, then this is the safest bet for your buck.
Feature Image courtesy of Lucasfilm
Written by Kate
Current obsessions: Star Wars, the Star Wars cast, Shondaland, any and all sci-fi TV shows, diversity in YA novels, yoga, red lipstick, female characters, coffee, sloths, my cat, having too many opinions about pop culture.
Kate grew up along with the rise of the internet and as a result spends way too much time having lots of opinions and picking fights about female characters. She saw Star Wars when she was six and has been ruined ever since. Her bylines have appeared on Women & Hollywood and AfterEllen.com, and she one day hopes to write and direct professionally. Until then, she spends her free time geeking out about pop culture from a feminist perspective and playing with her cat, Poe Dameron.
