As the main hero of theStar Warssequel trilogy,Rey Skywalkerhas been the obvious pick forLuke Skywalker’s replacement in the Skywalker saga, but the importance of her return makes it clear that she’s reaching an importance that’s more akin toDarth Vaderhimself. Daisy Ridley’s return as Rey was announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023, and it was met with a staggering amount of enthusiasm fromStar Warsfans. Despite the controversy that continues to surround theStar Warssequel trilogy, there’s no denying the impact of Ridley’s Rey, with this serving as the biggest example.
AsStar Warsseeks to enter into its next cinematic era, Ridley’s Rey is absolutely indispensable, something that has recently been revealed in true depth.THRreported that Lucasfilm acknowledgesRey is their most valuable “cinematic asset"going forward, and thus she’s poised to make an appearance in variousupcomingStar Warsmovies, including the previously announcedNew Jedi Order moviehelmed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. This makes it clear just how important Rey has become, and how it all began with her sequel trilogy role comparison - and how it’s quickly changing.
Rey Has Always Been The Sequel Trilogy’s “Luke Skywalker”
The Two Share A Stunning Amount Of Parallels
From the moment Rey appeared onscreen for the first time inStar Wars: The Force Awakens, it was clear she was meant to be the new “Luke Skywalker” in Disney’sStar Warssequel trilogy.This has to do with the many parallels between the two inThe Force AwakensandA New Hoperespectively, particularly with both of them beginning their journeys as 19-year-olds from desert planets. The two of them also both tragically lose their parents or parental figures, making them even more motivated to help the cause they’re drawn into - which helps them tap into their Force potential.
Star Wars Has A Second Chance To Tell Luke’s Most Important Story (But With Rey)
Star Wars missed their opportunity to tell Luke Skywalker’s most important story, but they have a chance to tell it again - and this time, with Rey.
These parallels continued throughout the sequel trilogy, to the extent of Rey facing Emperor Palpatine in the final battle ofStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,similarly to how Luke confronted the emperor inReturn of the Jedi. Both of them struggled through a pull to the dark side, having to come to terms with the darker lineage they were tied to.Rey was the Jedi hero throughout these movies just as Luke was, and that set her up to become his replacement in these newer movies. As she seeks to reestablish the Jedi Order, this becomes even more evident.
Rey Is Now Star Wars' Most Marketable Character
She Has Lots Of Future Storytelling Potential
Where the two are different, however, is in terms of marketability. There’s no doubt now, as the living hero of the sequel trilogy, that Rey is the most marketable modernStar Warscharacter, particularly when it comes to the future ofStar Warsin the movie theater.Whereas Luke met his fate inStar Wars: The Last Jediand thus has an end to his story, Rey has so many more tales to tell, which opens up a plethora of avenues for her. Of course, there is a factor that goes beyond this.
Rey Skywalker
Daughter of a “failed” Palpatine clone, Rey became part of a mysterious phenomenon known as the Force Dyad - a vergence in the Force that bound her to Kylo Ren. Trained by both Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, Rey fought against the First Order as an ally of the Resistance. She ultimately triumphed against Palpatine himself, channelling the full power of all Jedi.
While there’s no denying that Luke is one ofStar Wars’best characters, and one of the franchise’s most beloved, there is still another character from the original trilogy that is sought after much more in new projects: Darth Vader. The iconic villain has become perhaps the most recognizable figure fromStar Wars, anddespite him meeting his fate inReturn of the Jedi, his story was still heavily desired. That is how the prequel trilogy was born, in addition toStar Wars: The Clone Warsand other projects surrounding Anakin Skywalker. Rey is approaching a similar status.
Rey’s Star Wars Future Proves She’s Darth Vader’s Replacement
She Will Appear In Various Projects
Audiences never fail to want more and more of Darth Vader with each newStar Warsproject. As evidenced by viewers' reactions to Vader’s appearances inRogue One: A Star Wars Story,Obi-Wan Kenobi, and evenAhsoka,Vader is a timeless character whose storytelling potential continues to grow, and is continuously sought after. This is the point at which Rey herself is reaching in both modern and futureStar Warsmovies; she will become the one that people want to see the most in new era stories, as her story has loads of potential to pluck from.
How Old Is Rey In Each Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Movie
Rey is the young hero in the Star Wars sequel trilogy who takes up Luke Skywalker’s mantle, but how old is she really in each of the movies?
What’s even more thrilling about this is that it’s finally a light side aligned character who is going to achieve this same status. It seems as if the Jedi’s story, as heroic as they are, often end in tragedy, as if Obi-Wan Kenobi’s sacrificial death inA New Hopeset a permanent precedent for it.Rey, however, is a beacon of hope and light that can usher in a brand-new era, where the Jedi still face trials and tribulations but can also prove their strength time and time again. This would be quite different to Vader’s own appeal.
Rey Has Changed Star Wars For The Better
Anything Is Possible Now Because Of Her
All in all, what Rey has accomplished forStar Warshas transformed the franchise for the better. It would be difficult to imagine a hero like Rey leading the charge for a franchise likeStar Warsat the time of its inception, with only Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia Organa serving as a notable heroine from the galaxy far, far away. Now,it’s a female Jedi who gets to usher in this brand-new era, and that is absolutely remarkable - and a step in the right direction for everyone. The importance of this is proven by how audiences already interact with Rey.
One of the most notable ways to see this exemplified is atStar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, theStar Wars-themed land at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Rey is often approached excitedly by people both young and old, and she remains one of the most sought-out characters in that land. Even Ridley herself was able to pinpoint the impact of this character by meeting Rey at Disneyland and bearing witness to how people reacted to her presence. AsStar Warsturns towards its cinematic future, then, it couldn’t be safer in Rey’s hands.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
