‘Star Wars’ Maestro John Williams Has A Theory About Rey’s Parentage


One of the great unanswered questions left in the wake of The Force Awakens is the true nature of Rey’s parentage, a subject that has been endlessly debated by Star Wars fans in the months since the film’s release. Recently, the composer behind the all seven episodes of the saga, John Williams, has come forth to share his own theory on what lineage Rey might actually be heir to.

To be clear, Williams hasn’t been let in on the secret, as Entertainment Weekly notes. Lucasfilm and Disney are famously protective over the franchise, and plot details for Episode VIII have been few and far between even as the movie makes its way through production. While Williams may not know the true answer to the question of Rey’s parentage, he nevertheless felt comfortable enough to speculate about it during a performance with the Boston Pops this past Thursday evening, as Indie Revolver reports.

Along with millions of fans worldwide, the composer has his own theory about who Rey’s parents are. Unlike most people, however, he was in a position to put the question directly to The Force Awakens’ director, something he surprisingly claims he never did.

“I never asked J.J. Abrams who Rey’s father is, but I think it’s Luke Skywalker. Your guess is as good as mine, though.”

Williams’ opinion is in line with the majority of Star Wars fans who watched the final scene of The Force Awakens and concluded that the reclusive Jedi master is indeed Rey’s father. A number of other theories have sprung up regarding Rey’s lineage, however, exhibiting varying degrees of logic and believeability. One of the most popular posits that Rey could actually be a descendant of Obi-Wan Kenobi, who Luke hid away on Jakku because of her intense abilities in the Force. Yet another suggests that Rey could in fact be a descendant of Emperor Palpatine and that her isolation on the desert planet was meant to keep her from the forces of the Dark Side, which would be naturally interested in turning her abilities toward their own aims.

Earlier this year, a rough plot outline purported to be the story of Star Wars: Episode VIII appeared online, first showing up on Reddit, as the Inquisitr previously reported. While its veracity has not been established, it suggested another, more mysterious answer to the question of Rey’s parents. According to that outline, she exists as the reincarnation of Anakin Skywalker, as the chosen one is born again into each generation, bringing balance to the Force. This fact was apparently meant to be revealed during a scene in which Rey confronts Luke, asking him if he is her father. He, in turn, reveals to her that she is the reincarnation of his father.

While this supposed plot point was met with near universal scorn upon making its way online, it must be stressed that the truth of its inclusion in the upcoming film cannot be ascertained at this time. Prior to the release of The Force Awakens, a number of rumors surrounding the film surfaced, proving to be possessed of varying degrees of accuracy. While some were patently false even on their face, however, a full draft of the film’s plot, roughly 99 percent accurate, did emerge prior to its release.

Whoever Rey’s parents truly are, that secret remains known only to a handful of people at Lucasfilm and Disney. Fans will have to wait until at least next year, when Star Wars: Episode VIII hits theaters, eagerly hoping that the truth of the matter will be revealed in the second episode of Disney’s sequel trilogy.

[Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for MTV]

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