One of the most debated questions among Star Wars fans is the identity of Rey, the scavenger-turned-Jedi who is the main protagonist of the sequel trilogy. Ever since her introduction in The Force Awakens, many theories have emerged about her origins, her parents and her connection to the Skywalker family. Is Rey related to Luke, the legendary hero of the original trilogy and the last Jedi Master? Or is she someone else entirely?
In this article, we will explore the evidence for and against this popular theory, and reveal the definitive answer that was given in The Rise of Skywalker, the final chapter of the Skywalker saga.
Contents
The Case for Rey Being Luke’s Daughter
There are several reasons why some fans believe that Rey is Luke’s daughter. Here are some of them:
– **She is a natural pilot**, just like Luke and his father Anakin, who were both exceptional pilots and podracers. Rey demonstrates her skills when she flies the Millennium Falcon for the first time, evading TIE fighters and making daring maneuvers.
– **She is strong in the Force**, even without any formal training. She is able to use mind tricks, telekinesis, lightsaber combat and even resist Kylo Ren’s mind probe. She also has a strong bond with Kylo Ren, who is Luke’s nephew and a Skywalker by blood.
– **Luke’s lightsaber calls out to her** in Maz Kanata’s castle, showing her a vision of Luke’s past and future. Maz tells her that the lightsaber belonged to Luke and his father before him, and that it is now calling to her. She also tells her that whoever she is waiting for on Jakku is never coming back, but there is someone who still could: Luke.
– **She has a connection with Luke** at the end of The Force Awakens, when she travels to Ahch-To to find him. When she offers him his lightsaber, he looks at her with a mix of shock, recognition and emotion. Some fans interpreted this as a sign that he knows who she is and that she is his daughter.
The Case Against Rey Being Luke’s Daughter
However, there are also several reasons why Rey being Luke’s daughter does not make sense. Here are some of them:
– **It contradicts Luke’s character arc**, which shows him rejecting the dark side and embracing the Jedi way of life. It would be out of character for him to abandon his daughter on a harsh planet like Jakku, or to hide her existence from his friends and family. It would also undermine his sacrifice in Return of the Jedi, where he chooses to save his father rather than kill him.
– **It contradicts Rey’s character arc**, which shows her finding her own identity and destiny as a Jedi, not as someone’s daughter. It would also diminish her agency and independence as a heroine, if she was only important because of her bloodline. It would also make her story too similar to Luke’s, who was also revealed to be the son of a powerful Jedi in The Empire Strikes Back.
– **It contradicts The Last Jedi**, which reveals that Rey’s parents were nobodies who sold her for drinking money and died in a pauper’s grave on Jakku. This was confirmed by both Kylo Ren and Rey herself, who admits that she always knew the truth deep down. This revelation was meant to challenge Rey’s expectations and show her that her worth does not depend on her lineage, but on her choices and actions.
– **It contradicts The Rise of Skywalker**, which reveals that Rey is actually the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine, the ultimate villain of the saga and Luke’s archenemy. This was revealed by Kylo Ren, who tells her that her father was Palpatine’s son but that he and his wife chose to be nobodies in order to protect Rey from Palpatine’s wrath. This revelation was meant to shock Rey and show her that she has a dark legacy to overcome, but also a light one to embrace.
The Final Verdict: Is Rey Related to Luke?
The answer is no. Rey is not related to Luke by blood or by adoption. She is not his daughter or his niece or his cousin. She is a Palpatine by birth, but a Skywalker by choice.
At the end of The Rise of Skywalker, after defeating Palpatine and saving the galaxy, Rey travels to Tatooine, where Luke grew up and where his journey began. There, she buries Luke and Leia’s lightsabers in the sand, honoring their memory and legacy. She then ignites her own lightsaber, which has a yellow blade and a hilt made from her old staff.
A passerby asks her who she is, and she looks at the horizon where she sees the Force ghosts of Luke and Leia smiling at her. She then answers: “Rey Skywalker.”
This is not a lie or a deception, but a declaration of identity and belonging. Rey chooses to adopt the name Skywalker, not because she is related to them by blood, but because she is inspired by them, mentored by them, and loved by them. She chooses to be part of their family, and they choose to accept her as one of their own.
Rey is a Skywalker in spirit, not in flesh. And that is what makes her story so powerful and meaningful..
