As the main hero of Star Wars In the sequel trilogy, Rey Skywalker was the obvious choice for Luke Skywalker’s replacement in the Skywalker saga, but the importance of her return makes it clear that she is reaching an importance more akin to that of Darth Vader himself. Daisy Ridley’s return as Rey was announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023, and was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from Star Wars fans. Despite the controversy that continues to surround the Star Wars sequel trilogy, there’s no denying the impact of Ridley’s Rey, with this serving as the greatest example.
As Star Wars As it looks to enter its next cinematic era, Ridley’s Rey is absolutely indispensable, something that was recently revealed in true depth. THR reported that Lucasfilm recognizes that Rey is the most valuable “cinematic feature” going forward and therefore, she is set to make an appearance in several upcoming Star Wars films, including the previously announced New Jedi Order film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. This makes it clear how important Rey has become and how it all started with the sequel trilogy’s role comparison – and how quickly that is changing.
Rey was always the “Luke Skywalker” of the sequel trilogy
The two share an impressive amount of parallels
From the moment Rey first appeared on screen in Star Wars: The Force Awakensit was clear that she was supposed to be the new “Luke Skywalker” in the Disney film Star Wars sequel trilogy. This has to do with the many parallels between the two in The Force Awakens and A New Hope respectivelyespecially with both starting their journeys at 19 years old from desert planets. They have both also tragically lost their parents or parental figures, making them even more motivated to help the cause they were drawn to – which helps them tap into their Force potential.
These parallels continued throughout the sequel trilogy, up to the point where Rey faced Emperor Palpatine in the final battle of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, just as Luke confronted the emperor in Return of the Jedi. Both struggled with a pull to the dark side, having to come to terms with the darker bloodline they were linked to. Rey was the Jedi hero throughout these films, just as Luke wasand this prepared her to become his understudy in these more recent films. As she seeks to reestablish the Jedi Order, this becomes even more evident.
Rey is now Star Wars’ most marketable character
She has a lot of future storytelling potential
Where the two are different, however, is in terms of marketability. There is no doubt now, as the living hero of the sequel trilogy, that Rey is the most marketable modern character Star Wars character, especially when it comes to the future of Star Wars at the cinema. Whereas Luke met his destiny in Star Wars: The Last Jedi And so his story ends, Rey has many more stories to tellwhich opens up an infinite number of paths for her. Of course, there is a factor that goes beyond that.
While there is no denying that Luke is one of Star Wars Best characters, and one of the most beloved in the franchise, there is yet another character from the original trilogy who is much more sought after in new projects: Darth Vader. The iconic villain has become perhaps the most recognizable figure in Star Warsand although he finds his destiny in Return of the Jediher story was still very much desired. This is how the prequel trilogy was born, in addition to Star Wars: The Clone Wars and other projects around Anakin Skywalker. Rey is approaching a similar status.
Rey’s Star Wars Future Proves She’s Darth Vader’s Replacement
She will appear in several projects
Audiences never stop wanting more and more of Darth Vader with each new release Star Wars project. As evidenced by viewers’ reactions to Vader’s appearances in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Obi Wan Kenobiand even Ahsoka, Vader is a timeless character whose narrative potential continues to grow and is continually sought after. This is the point that Rey herself is reaching both in the modern world and in the future. Star Wars films; She will become the one people most want to see in new age stories, as her story has so much potential to be explored.
What’s even more exciting about this is that it’s finally a light side-aligned character who will achieve that same status. It seems that the history of the Jedi, however heroic, often ends in tragedy, as if Obi-Wan Kenobi’s sacrificial death in A New Hope establish a permanent precedent for this. Rey, however, is a beacon of hope and light that can usher in a new era.where the Jedi still face trials and tribulations, but can also prove their strength over and over again. That would be quite different from the appeal of Vader himself.
Rey changed Star Wars for the better
Everything is possible now because of her
In short, what Rey achieved for Star Wars transformed the franchise for the better. It would be difficult to imagine a hero like Rey leading a franchise like Star Wars at the time of its inception, with only Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia Organa serving as a notable heroine from a galaxy far, far away. Now, is a female Jedi ushering in this new era, and that is absolutely remarkable – and a step in the right direction for everyone. The importance of this is proven by the way the public already interacts with Rey.
One of the most notable ways to see this exemplified is in Star Wars: Edge of the Galaxythe Star Wars– themed lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Rey is often approached with enthusiasm by people young and old, and she remains one of the most sought after characters in that land. Even Ridley herself was able to identify the impact of this character when she met Rey at Disneyland and witnessed how people reacted to her presence. As Star Wars turns to its cinematic future, then it couldn’t be safer in Rey’s hands.