Rey Kenobi? Why Rey should have been a descendant of Obi-Wan Kenobi

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As a dedicated movie critic, I’ve got to say that the sequel trilogy has certainly stirred up quite a storm among Star Wars fans. One of the key factors contributing to this division was the bold move by the filmmakers to make Rey, our beloved lead character, the granddaughter of none other than the infamous Emperor Palpatine. This surprising revelation unfolded in “The Rise of Skywalker.” It’s a twist that has sparked intense debate and discussion among fans – a testament to its impact on the Star Wars universe.

A suggestion emerged among Star Wars fans, as well as JJ Abrams (known for The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker), proposing that Rey could be linked to the Jedi, particularly Obi-Wan Kenobi. In my view, making this connection would have been a more astute decision, potentially enhancing the final episode, The Rise of Skywalker.

The connection between Rey and Kylo Ren would have been stronger.

The relationship between Anakin, Obi-Wan, and their adventures in the prequel series, especially “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” was one of the most engaging parts during that time period. However, it became just as tragic due to Anakin’s shift towards the dark side. It would have been more impactful if the descendants of both characters played significant roles in the events of the original six films, strengthening the overall connection between all Star Wars eras.

In the last movie, when the two unite against Palpatine, it’s visually breathtaking, yet might not carry as much emotional weight if these two characters were descendants of Force rivals, combining forces to confront the epitome of evil.

Rey could have been scavenger to royalty.

In the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” series, Obi-Wan Kenobi had romantic feelings for Satine Kryze, the Duchess of Mandalore. If this relationship had developed further, it could have been revealed that Rey is also connected to royalty as Satine’s heir. This backstory would offer an explanation for Rey’s deeper connection with Princess Leia and potentially serve as a compelling narrative arc for her character transformation from a scavenger to a princess.

The sequel trilogy could have established a connection with “The Mandalorian” series, as Satine ruled over the planet that the main character frequently visited and explored in detail within the show.

Palpatine’s role would have been explained and had more meaning.

In the movie, Poe Dameron said, “Somehow, Palpatine came back.” But imagine if it wasn’t him physically returning, but rather the essence or spirit of Palpatine trying to influence Kylo Ren instead. This spirit would be guiding Kylo towards shaping the future of the First Order and the remnants of the old empire.

If Palpatine’s Force ghost had tried to influence both Kylo and Rey, it could have added depth to their conflict. Furthermore, having his spirit and voice appear at the end of the movie would not only intensify the emotions but also offer assistance to Rey in a significant, meaningful way.

In any Jedi who has ever existed, there exists a potential for them to have coexisted within Rey. If all these Jedi were to unite using the Force, they could collectively confront their greatest adversary in the power of the Force. The spiritual essence of this franchise remains equally strong and impactful.

In a hypothetical scenario, if Rian Johnson had incorporated more ideas from JJ Abrams, might Rey become Obi-Wan Kenobi? We can’t be sure how audiences or critics would have responded to “The Rise of Skywalker” with that change, but fans always enjoy considering alternate possibilities in the Star Wars universe.

Moving on, there’s talk that the characters Rey, as well as Dameron and Finn, might reappear in an entirely fresh era of Star Wars.

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2025-08-24 16:22