Why didn’t they leave the narrative of Rey being a nobody?
Why didn’t they leave the narrative of Rey being a nobody? The decision to change Rey’s origin in Star Wars from being “a nobody” to being related to Emperor Palpatine came in The Rise of Skywalker (Episode IX). There are a few reasons behind this shift, mainly related to storytelling choices, audience reactions, and creative differences between directors.
Director Change and Vision Differences:
The Last Jedi, directed by Rian Johnson, emphasized that Rey came from a lineage of no importance, which was meant to symbolize that greatness can come from anywhere. This was a major departure from the typical “chosen one” narrative in Star Wars. However, The Rise of Skywalker was directed by J.J. Abrams, who had a different vision. Abrams chose to link Rey to a significant lineage to align with his earlier hints in The Force Awakens, preferring a more traditional hero arc connected to established characters.
Fan and Studio Reactions:
After The Last Jedi, there was a mixed response from the fanbase. Some fans appreciated the idea of Rey being a “nobody,” as it broke away from the Skywalker-centric storyline and democratized the Force. However, others were disappointed, wanting Rey to have a more meaningful connection to the established characters. It’s likely that the studio wanted to cater to those fans and provide a more “epic” revelation in The Rise of Skywalker, leading to the Palpatine twist.
Legacy and Mythology:
Star Wars is deeply rooted in mythology, with themes of legacy and destiny playing central roles. Making Rey a Palpatine re-established the “bloodline” element and gave her character a direct connection to the major conflict between the Jedi and the Sith. This allowed the trilogy to retain the theme of overcoming dark family legacies, similar to Luke Skywalker’s journey with his father, Darth Vader.
This change ultimately reflected a desire to balance the new direction introduced by Rian Johnson with the more familiar aspects of the Star Wars saga, though it was a controversial move among fans and critics.
