This Wild ‘Star Wars’ Theory Connects Rey To A Major Character From The Prequels
Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker is so close you can almost touch it. The anticipation is building, and with the end of the Skywalker saga so close, theories are popping up everywhere. Some are more plausible than others, like the rumors that Hayden Christensen will be back as Anakin in a cameo. But others are off-the-wall crazy, like the theory Rey is actually this Star Wars character from the prequels.
Spoiler warning ahead, in case any aspect of this theory turns out to be true.
This theory involves Rey and Anakin’s mom
You might want to sit down so you can take this all in. On Nov. 3, the YouTube channel New Rockstars posted a “Total Conspiracy” video that laid out the theory that Rey is Anakin’s mother, Shmi. Yes, from the prequels.
Before you write this off, this very well might be a good case of “So crazy, it just might work.” Host Marina Mastros explains that this would be the perfect way to end the saga because it ties everything together and positions Rey as the most important character in all of Star Wars canon.
Essentially, this theory would explain why Palpatine is so obsessed with meeting Rey, as seen in trailers for The Rise of Skywalker. It suggests that he wants to create Anakin and so he uses a powerful Jedi (Rey) to do so. As the video states, we already know that in canon, Palpatine is the one to get Smhi pregnant through the Force. This theory adds a massive “WTF” on top of who she really is.
Does time travel even exist in ‘Star Wars’?
Lucky for fans, time travel exists in Star Wars, which would allow this to even be considered. In Star Wars: Rebels, Ezra is seen walking through a “world between worlds” where he’s able to save Ahsoka from defeat by Darth Vader. They also have a run-in with Darth Sidious, who’s stuck and can’t travel through these time portals as Ahsoka and Ezra can.
Is this where Palpatine went after Vader threw him down that shaft in Episode VI — Return of The Jedi? If this is the case, it works with the theory that Palpatine uses an acolyte to do his bidding in Rise of Skywalker, if he can’t escape the time portal to do things himself. Or is this a Palpatine from before his demise?
‘Star Wars’ would become a neverending story
If this does happen, then it would mean Star Wars is a loop. As the video explains, this type of time travel wouldn’t be like Avengers: Endgame, but instead wouldn’t change the future. Just set it into motion again. So Anakin will still turn to the Dark Side, he’ll still kill younglings, and Shmi will still die in that Tusken Raiders camp.
It seems like a lame way to incorporate time travel, but this would literally bring the Skywalker saga full circle. Plus, some might argue it would make an excellent ending to the franchise.
Why this theory doesn’t work
Well, for one, it’s absolutely bonkers. It’s very out of left field and honestly, it might make a lot of fans angry or unsatisfied. That would be the last thing J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm want to do with this final installment.
Second, even erasing Rey’s mind won’t stifle her powers and we already know this. Even if Palpatine took Rey back in time, impregnated her using the Force, and erased her memory, she still would be the Rey you saw on Jakku. Her powers are so strong and developed even before she knew she could harness the force.
The Shmi in Phantom Menace showed no signs of that, didn’t have any visions and didn’t feel any pull by the Force. Not to mention the Rey we know wouldn’t have been helpless against kidnappers.
What have people said about the movie’s conclusion?
New Rockstars also pointed out one final, real-life piece of evidence that hints at this theory. In an interview with IGN in July, director Kevin Smith talked about his set visit to London. There was one set the crew told him he had to see because “it’ll melt your mind.” When he confronted Abrams about it, he told Smith that he should actually stay away. “Don’t… because it’s the last shot of the movie… You don’t wanna spoil it: you wanna be in the movie theatre when you see [the final shot], trust me.”
I would truly break fans’ minds if the final set is Tattoine before Ani was born.
While it would, stylistically, be a fitting ending to finish the Skywalker saga in the same place it started twice before — on Tattooine with a Skywalker child — it’s a little too tough to swallow. The theory is certainly a wild one, but if it comes true, kudos to New Rockstars for taking that reach.
