Rey Skywalker future in Star Wars remains uncertain, and recent news about Star Wars the upcoming films make me even more nervous about what the franchise’s plan is for this character. Star Wars shocked many with the news that Simon Kinberg is working on a new trilogy. Details about the new films remain limited, including whether the new trilogy will have episodes 10-12 in the Star Wars timeline.
I’m already worried that Kinberg’s trilogy will be an insult to Rey if the films are episodes 10-12 and center on entirely new characters. Even if Rey were to be included in the trilogy somehow, that would effectively kick Rey out of the Skywalker Saga all the same. Star Wars is entering a new era. Now, additional insight into exactly what Rey’s role in this trilogy could be has me more worried than ever. Star Wars could do Rey Skywalker and Daisy Ridley a great disservice.
Rey is rumored to take on an “Obi-Wan role” in future Star Wars projects
Rey’s future in Star Wars remains up in the air
Rumor has it, Rey is expected to take on the ‘role of Obi-Wan Kenobi’ in the next Star Wars trilogy. Assuming this description references Obi-Wan’s character in A New HopeThis would mean that Rey would be a supporting character in the new trilogy, rather than the focus. For several reasons, I believe this would be a completely wrong choice for Star Wars.
Unquestionably, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was widely unpopular, with many still considering him one of the Star Wars worst films. This came shortly after the sequel trilogy was highly criticized and changed hands several times. Despite the poor reception (and the attacks on Rey and Ridley), Rey is a character with incredible potential. For one, Rey adopted the Skywalker surname, making her the continuation of the Skywalker legacy.
Rey also holds the future of the Jedi in her hands.
Rey also holds the future of the Jedi in her hands, as she appears to be the last surviving Jedi who has been formally trained, although the whereabouts of characters like Ezra Bridger, Ahsoka Tano, and Sabine Wren remain unknown during this time. That’s why Rey Star Wars film, supposedly titled Star Wars: New Jedi Orderit made a lot of sense. Presumably, Rey would be starting her own Jedi Order, taking on the role of Jedi Master and rebuilding the Jedi to be something close to what they once were.
With news from this new Star Wars trilogy, however, Rey’s future Star Wars film is now in question. New Jedi Order has been slow to progress, with Ridley repeatedly revealing that he had not yet seen a script and writer Steven Knight abandoning the project for unknown reasons. This makes me even more worried that this trilogy might be New Jedi Order replacement and that, instead of a Rey Skywalker-led film, the trilogy will sideline Rey in the role of older Jedi mentor.
Rey deserves to be much more than that
Rey just became a full Jedi – we need to see that story
The Rise of Skywalkeras controversial as it was, it saw Rey at the height of her power. Whatever Star Wars the story comes next, as Rey must build on that momentum, not cut it short. The conclusion of The Rise of Skywalker it also left Rey clearly on the brink of her true beginning as a Jedi. It would be a huge missed opportunity for Star Wars never revealing what those next steps would involve or skipping past Rey’s time as a Jedi Master establishing an Order.
Whatever Star Wars the story comes next, as Rey must build on that momentum, not cut it short.
Despite some claims to the contrary, the sequel trilogy wasn’t Rey’s time to shine either. Yes, Rey was the protagonist of the sequels (or at least one of the protagonists), but the films felt deeply rooted in nostalgia for the original trilogy. After all, one of the biggest complaints about sequels, especially Star Wars: The Force Awakenswas how extensive the similarities were to the original trilogy. This influenced the storylines of every character in the sequel trilogy, Rey certainly among them.
The sequels also saw Rey on a quest to uncover the truth about her identity and discover her own, which came to a head when Rey discovered she was a descendant of the most notorious villain of all time. Star Wars movies and TV shows. A new film or trilogy featuring Rey as the star could focus on her character individually rather than how she connects to the various characters. Star Wars characters that came before her. Again, this is what was so promising New Jedi Order; it would be a true new beginning for Rey.
Rey’s New Jedi Order Movies Are a Chance to See a Jedi Leader
Star Wars runs the risk of repeating the same mistakes
New Jedi Order also suggested that Star Wars audiences would finally see a new Jedi leader long after the fall of the Jedi Order Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. If Star Wars instead, it replaces New Jedi Order with Kinberg’s trilogy and takes Rey out of the spotlight, This trilogy will be repeating one of the worst mistakes of the sequel trilogy. One of the biggest problems of Star Wars sequels was the treatment given to the trilogy’s original heroes, especially Luke Skywalker.
He also took on the role of Obi-Wan, becoming Rey’s mentor but never getting to shine as a Jedi Master in charge of an entirely new Order.
Instead of the Jedi hero, many expected him to follow the conclusion of Return of the Jedi (and in light of the Legends novels), Luke appeared at the very end of The Force Awakens as essentially a hermit who lost all faith in the Jedi and the galaxy and who abandoned those who needed him. He also took on the role of Obi-Wan, becoming Rey’s mentor but never getting to shine as a Jedi Master in charge of an entirely new Order. This has been criticized for good reason.
Star Wars completely wasted the opportunity to restore the Jedi Order and present Luke as the powerful and wise Jedi Master he deserved to be. All signs currently point to history repeating itself in Star Wars new trilogywhich would be bad news. I’m not assuming that the fanfare surrounding Rey’s return will be nearly as intense as the fanfare was for Luke, because that belief would simply be irrational. Luke was the star of the entire franchise, and for decades, audiences waited for his return.
Still, if this new trilogy puts Rey in the role of an older Jedi mentor, it will be yet another version of this story. This will get even worse if the trilogy is actually episodes 10-12, which remain to be seen. While the fanbase is still very divided on the sequels, I sincerely hope this new Star Wars trilogy does Rey Skywalker justice.