Rian Johnson states that the truth about Rey’s parentage is ‘still open’

One of the most talked about topics from Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the reveal of Rey’s parents.

After dominating the top spot for two weeks straight, Star Wars: The Last Jedi  has become the highest grossing film of 2017 with $1 billion. However, that doesn’t discount the fact that some of Rian Johnson’s narrative decisions have led to vehement discussions among fans. While the portrayal of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) has taken the top spot for diverse opinions, the reveal of Rey’s (Daisy Ridley) true parentage is definitely running a close second.

Note: This article contains major spoilers for Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

During one of the most pivotal scenes in the movie, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) confronted Rey to shun the Light and the Dark side and join him to build a world devoid of ancient notions. However, in a desperate attempt to convince Rey, Kylo pulled out the parent card and told her that she was born to space hippies who sold her off. While this not only subtly upgraded the rules of the Force, but according to Johnson’s interview to The Huffington Post, it also subverted and mirrored the shock of the Darth Vader reveal from The Empire Strikes Back.

"“What’s going to make life hardest on her? It would be the big ‘I am your father’ twist [from ‘The Empire Strikes Back’]. And same thing with Rey and her parentage. The easy thing would be, ‘Yes, your parents are so and so and here’s your place in the world. There you go.’ The hardest thing she could hear would be […] ‘No, you’re not going to get the answer. This is not going to define you. You’re going to have to find your own place in this world. Kylo is going to use that even as leverage to try and make you feel insecure, and you’re going to have to stand on your own two feet.'”"

The Force Awakens and the Ahch-To cave sequence had established that Rey’s parentage was holding her back from achieving her true potential. So, knowing that she doesn’t need lineage to be strong with the Force gave Rey the strength to stand up for herself. However, as this reveal has destroyed quite a few fan theories and angered many fans, Johnson has stated that Rey’s parentage might receive alterations in Episode IX.

"“Anything’s still open, and I’m not writing the next film. [J.J. Abrams and Chris Terrio] are doing it. With all of these movies, Obi-Wan’s whole speech about a certain point of view always applies, so I think that you have to always think about the context of how information is given. But for me, dramatically, that’s why that reveal at that moment made sense.”"

It’s true that Star Wars’ characters often sugarcoat details to serve their purpose, and Obi-Wan is guilty of doing so. However, when Obi-Wan owned up to his comments on Anakin Skywalker, it wasn’t done in response to a backlash. And it also didn’t change the fact that Darth Vader was Luke’s father. But if Disney back-pedals on Johnson’s bold decisions and makes Rey some famous character’s daughter, it will be to curb the flak the franchise has faced after The Last Jedi. In addition to that, it’ll destroy every upgrade that Johnson has gifted to the Force.

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Why Episode IX should not retcon Rey’s parentage?

In its 40 years of existence, Star Wars has garnered a massive fandom that has an equal number of opinions. Additionally, the unspoken rule of the internet suggests that we should respect everyone’s perspective. However, as this outrage has caused Johnson to doubt his narrative decisions, I have to say that those who’re angry about the twist that Rey is a nobody, are objectively wrong.

In The Force Awakens, when Rey came out of her Force vision, she had a conversation with the one and only Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong’o). During that tête-à-tête, Maz straight up told Rey that her parents are never coming back. And that the only one who had a chance of coming back is Luke Skywalker.

"Maz: “That lightsabre was Luke’s and his father’s before him. And now it calls to you.Rey: “I have to get back to Jakku”Maz: “Han told me. Dear child, I see your eyes. You already know the truth. Whomever you’re waiting for on Jakku, they’re never coming back. But there’s someone who still could.”Rey: “Luke.”"

So, while Rian Johnson is undeniably guilty of turning every other plot point from Episode VII on its head, the aforementioned “twist” on Rey’s parentage is actually the only one which he follows through. While Abrams used it to plant the seed of Rey’s lack of lineage, Johnson used it to amp up the conflict in Rey’s mind about joining Kylo or the Resistance. This proves that the entire outrage is based on fan theories that were created by ignoring facts established by The Force Awakens, which in turn to led to misplaced expectations.

In addition to that, The Last Jedi destroys a long-running trope of Star Wars where every human, droid and creature is connected with each other, despite the vastness of the galaxy. It shows us that one doesn’t need to be a Skywalker to partake in a fight between the Light and the Dark because the Force is much bigger than a failed bloodline. And making Rey a Skywalker or a Kenobi because of a backlash, will simply undo all of it and hinder directors from doing anything new for the future of this great franchise.

Next: The 30 best movies of 2017

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is currently in theaters nationwide.

What are your thoughts on Rey’s parentage? Let me know in the comments.