Is Rey Related to Luke Skywalker?

The question of whether Rey is related to Luke Skywalker has been a topic of heated debate among Star Wars fans. The answer, as explained by the films, is that Rey is not a blood relative of Luke Skywalker, but she has a significant connection nonetheless.

Rey’s Genealogy

According to the Star Wars canon, Rey is not directly related to Luke Skywalker in terms of bloodline. She is the granddaughter of Palpatine, also known as Darth Sidious, who was the evil Emperor during theassic trilogy. Thus, Rey's lineage traces back to the Sith lord, rather than the Jedi order.

Why Rey Chose to Call Herself a Skywalker

Despite her blood ties to Palpatine, Rey chose to take on the Skywalker name. This decision was deeply symbolic and emotional, representing her journey towards redemption and her connection to the Skywalker family legacy. Rey declared herself a Skywalker to disown her grandfather, the evil Emperor, and embrace her new identity as a potential savior of the galaxy.

Teaser Trailers and Anticipation

There were teaser trailers that hinted at Rey being the next Skywalker, which would have made for a compelling narrative. However, these hints were ultimately unsettled by the main storyline, which confirmed Rey’s lineage as Palpatine’s granddaughter. This decision was a strategic choice by the creators to maintain the complexity and originality of the Star Wars saga.

Counterarguments and Evidence

Some fans argue that Rey should be considered a Skywalker due to the lightsaber that called to her and revealed information about Luke Skywalker. They claim that the Star Wars films provide evidence that Rey has a stronger connection to the Skywalker bloodline. However, the movies clearly state that the Skywalker line starts with Anakin/Vader, runs through Luke and Leia, and ends with Ben Solo (Kylo Ren), Leia’s son.

Single Source Reliability

Another argument presented by die-hard fans points to Rey’s connection to the Skywalker lightsaber. The lightsaber, as a powerful artifact, would naturally have an affinity for someone with Skywalker blood. Rey’s connection to the lightsaber did indeed reveal things about Luke, suggesting a significant familial link. However, the movies ultimately confirm that Rey’s lineage is Palpatine’s.

Accepted Canon

Given the storyline in the sequel trilogy, Rey is indeed the granddaughter of Darth Sidious, Emperor Palpatine. This is supported by the information that she claimed her name at the end of The Rise of Skywalker with Luke’s approval. Eloquently, this was a moment of empowerment for Rey, marking her embrace of her new identity.

Rey’s Biological Background

Technically, Rey is the daughter of Sheev Palpatine and a clone of Sheev. Dathan and Miramir, the biological parents of Rey, were a clone of Sheev with zero Force abilities. This is why Rey has the Force abilities that she does.

Conclusion

In summary, Rey is not a direct blood relative of Luke Skywalker, but she has a profound connection to the Skywalker lineage through her Jedi training and the lightsaber. The final decision by the creators to position Rey as Palpatine’s granddaughter, rather than a direct Skywalker, serves to maintain the complexity and depth of the Star Wars universe.