Rey Skywalker’s series of Force visions in Star Wars: The Force Awakens following her contact with Anakin Skywalker’s iconic lightsaber led to a number of thrilling Star Wars sequel trilogy theories, but, sadly, several of these brilliant theories never came to be. The Star Wars sequel trilogy represented a world of opportunities for Star Wars movies and TV shows, as it was a brand-new era of the Star Wars timeline. In fact, as Disney’s acquisition of Star Wars made most stories set after Return of the Jedi no longer canon, the story possibilities seemed limitless.
In part because of that, theories ran absolutely rampant throughout the releases of the sequel trilogy’s movies. However, the moment Rey touched Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber and experienced a series of Force visions specifically initiated a number of Star Wars theories, many of them particularly exciting. Sadly, though, very few of those theories came to be.
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10 Rey Was The Reincarnation Of Anakin Skywalker
Many Believed That Anakin’s Lightsaber Gave Rey Visions Because She Was Anakin
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One of the most bizarre theories to come from Rey’s Force visions in The Force Awakens was that she was actually the reincarnation of Anakin Skywalker. This theory began because Anakin’s lightsaber had such an intense effect on Rey—something that it hadn’t even done with Luke Skywalker. Ultimately, though, it was instead revealed that this was one of Star Wars’ Force powers, ‘Forcebacks,’ seemingly a form of psychometry.
It would have been an interesting but odd turn for Star Wars to actually reincarnate Anakin in this way, although it didn’t seem out of the question. After all, Star Wars is constantly adding brand-new powers, concepts, and storylines that seem to break the rules. Nevertheless, it’s probably for the best that this theory never came to be, as making Rey the reincarnation of Anakin would have made things very complicated, to say the least.
9 Rey And Kylo Ren Were Siblings
Before Rey’s Parents Were Revealed, Some Believed She Was An Abandoned Solo Daughter
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The identity of Rey’s parents was a massive mystery throughout the sequel trilogy, even after it seemed Star Wars: The Last Jedi had revealed that they were ‘nobody.’ In The Force Awakens especially, theories ran wild regarding Rey’s parentage, as her visions suggested she had a connection to the Skywalkers. A few theories about who Rey’s parents could be stood out in particular, one of them being that Rey was the abandoned daughter of Han Solo and Leia Organa.
This was a particularly fascinating theory because it would no doubt have required a significant event for Leia and Han to leave their own daughter behind on Jakku. However, given how strained their relationship had clearly become, this seemed more than possible. Moreover, this would have meant Ben Solo and Rey were siblings, which could have led to yet another awkward Star Wars sibling kiss. Ultimately, though, Star Wars avoided repeating history in this way.
8 Rey Had Trained At Luke’s Temple—But Had Her Memory Wiped
Rey Seemed Particularly Skilled With The Force, Leading To This Theory
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Although Rey initially didn’t know she had the Force, she was remarkably skilled with it. In addition to impressively using the classic Jedi mind trick on a stormtrooper in The Force Awakens, presumably without even knowing that was a Force power, Rey soon after battled Kylo Ren single-handedly and held her own. In fact, she even managed to pull Anakin’s lightsaber away from him.
Because of that skill (and even seeming familiarity with certain Force abilities), some suspected that Rey may have actually had some training as a Jedi but didn’t remember it. This theory was reinforced by the moment Luke Skywalker was shown in Rey’s visions, watching his Temple burn. Essentially, this theory posited that Rey had been a student in Luke’s Temple for a time but that she eventually had her memory wiped. This would have had fascinating implications, including that, possibly, Luke rescued her and hoped this one survivor could be the new hope for the Jedi.
7 Luke Skywalker Joined The Dark Side
Many Believed That It Could Be Luke Under The Kylo Ren Mask
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Rey’s Force visions also brought her face-to-face with the terrifying Kylo Ren, whose actual face had yet to be revealed. Although Kylo Ren’s identity as Ben Solo was uncovered later in The Force Awakens, at that point, his true identity was still unknown. Because of that, many actually theorized that it was Luke Skywalker underneath Kylo Ren’s mask.
This would have had interesting (and no doubt controversial) implications for the sequel trilogy, as it would have meant that Luke Skywalker had fallen to the dark side. However, given Rey’s Force visions had also shown Luke watching his Jedi Temple burn, this would have explained what tragedy was linked to Luke’s downfall. Moreover, George Lucas had even considered this very turn for Luke in Return of the Jedi, which would have made good on an intriguing original trilogy concept.
George Lucas had even considered this very turn for Luke in
Return of the Jedi
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6 Rey Is Palpatine’s Daughter
Ironically, This Theory That Many Found Improbable Technically Came True
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Interestingly, some had suspected that Rey was the daughter of Emperor Palpatine following Rey’s Force visions in The Force Awakens, and, ultimately, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker proved them partially right. However, even at the time, discourse around this theory primarily insisted that such an idea was preposterous. This is truly ironic, as Star Wars ended up technically confirming this one theory, but it became divisive for many of the very reasons people doubted it early on.
Notably, this theory is distinct from what actually was confirmed in The Rise of Skywalker because Rey was not Palpatine’s daughter but rather was the daughter of a ‘defective’ Palpatine clone. This in part addressed why many found this theory absurd. Palpatine simply wouldn’t have been able to have a daughter Rey’s age based on when he died.
In truth, this theory still didn’t make as much sense as some of the other theories. There had been no indication that Palpatine had children, and although the clone explanation worked long-term, it felt quite rushed in The Rise of Skywalker. Regardless, this is the one prominent theory from Rey’s Force visions that technically came true, and it was the one that was arguably the least expected.
5 Rey Was A Clone/Snoke Created Rey
Rey’s Dubious Origins Had Some Convinced She Was A Clone
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Although it was really a Palpatine clone named Dathan that led to Rey’s creation, many viewers had suspected that Rey herself might be a clone. In fact, following this sequence of Force visions in The Force Awakens, which made Rey’s origins even more dubious, Rey being a clone became a rather popular theory in the fanbase. Specifically, many believed that Rey may have been a clone created by Snoke himself.
This theory was ultimately revealed to be incorrect in The Rise of Skywalker, but it was impressively on the right track. The sequel trilogy ended up being driven by Star Wars clones, and the franchise has continued to explore the importance of clones since then. While Rey herself is human, this theory was clearly onto something (especially considering that, even if Rey wasn’t herself a clone, her father was one).
4 Rey, Like Anakin, Was Created By The Force Itself
Some Theorized That Rey Could Also Represent A Vergence In The Force
Part of what makes Anakin Skywalker so unique in Star Wars, beyond just the Chosen One prophecy, is the fact that Anakin is a Vergence in the Force. Force Vergences are essentially locations, objects, or people that are especially connected to the Force. In part, this explains why Anakin is so incredibly powerful in the Force and why his midi-chlorian count was so astronomically high, even compared to powerful Jedi like Master Yoda.
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Because of Rey’s impressive Force powers, many suspected that she may also be a Vergence in the Force. In fact, Rey’s ability to see these various visions after touching Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber seemed like solid evidence that Rey did have some unique bond with the Force, be it as a Vergence or otherwise. In the end, though, Rey’s incredible power seemed to stem from her Palpatine bloodline.
3 The Knights Of Ren Were Going To Be Major Villains
The Knights Of Ren Could Have Been Much More Interesting Villains
One of the most terrifying moments in Rey’s Force visions was when she became surrounded by the Knights of Ren. In fact, the Knights were seen standing in the pouring rain, being led by Kylo Ren with his red crossguard lightsaber in hand, making the moment all the more intimidating. This introduction seemed to suggest that the Knights of Ren would become serious villains in the sequels. Sadly, that was far from the case.
This introduction seemed to suggest that the Knights of Ren would become serious villains in the sequels.
Rather, the most notable encounter with the Knights of Ren actually came in The Rise of Skywalker when Ben Solo took them on in battle on Exegol. At that point, though, the payoff was minimal, as they hadn’t really been established before that in the sequels. This was especially a shame, as the sequels really could have used a unique villain such as the Knights of Ren. Instead, the sequels relied on previous villains, both in terms of Palpatine and in the sense that Kylo Ren was in many ways repeating Darth Vader’s character arc.
2 Rey Was A Descendant Of Obi-Wan Kenobi
Several Aspects Of Rey’s Character Made Her Seem Like A Kenobi
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One of the most popular theories about Rey’s parentage was that she was the granddaughter of Obi-Wan Kenobi. This speculation had already existed prior to The Force Awakens premiering, but Rey’s Force visions in the movie intensified this theory, as Obi-Wan’s voice could be heard very distinctly. Because Obi-Wan seemed to call to her so specifically, this seemed quite possible.
Many had already suspected that Korkie Kryze was Obi-Wan’s secret love child.
Moreover, although some argued that this was impossible, as Obi-Wan tended to be a rule follower in the Jedi Order, Star Wars: The Clone Wars revealed how this could have happened. After all, Obi-Wan was not only given a love interest in Satine Kryze but also revealed that he would have left the Jedi Order for her had she asked. In fact, many had already suspected that Korkie Kryze was Obi-Wan’s secret love child (who even Obi-Wan may not have realized was his son), and he could have been confirmed to be Rey’s dad.
1 Rey Was Luke Skywalker’s Daughter
Many Believed Rey Was A Skywalker (By Blood) From The Beginning
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Of course, based on Rey’s intense reaction to touching Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber, one of the most prominent theories about Rey following The Force Awakens was that she was Luke’s daughter. This might have proven quite exciting, as it could have meant that Legends character Mara Jade was finally becoming part of Star Wars canon. This also seemed supported by the theory that the stone Luke was standing next to at the end of The Force Awakens was a gravestone—Mara Jade’s, many thought.
However, in the end, Star Wars upheld the notion that Jedi shouldn’t have attachments, removing Luke’s Legends wife and child from his canon story. In the end, it’s difficult to say which of these theories would have been better than the story ultimately delivered in The Rise of Skywalker. Nevertheless, it’s clear that the scene with Rey Skywalker’s Force visions in Star Wars: The Force Awakens led to a number of incredible Star Wars sequel trilogy theories.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens 
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Set 30 years after Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens teams new heroes Finn (John Boyega), Rey (Daisy Ridley), and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), who is now a General in the Rebel Alliance. Together they try to track down Luke Skywalker while battling the First Order, led by the villainous Kylo Ren. The Force Awakens is the first Star Wars film to be produced by Disney and was directed by JJ Abrams.
Director J.J. Abrams Release Date December 17, 2015 Studio(s) Lucasfilm Ltd. , Bad Robot Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Writers Lawrence Kasdan , J.J. Abrams , Michael Arndt Cast Daisy Ridley , John Boyega , Oscar Isaac , Harrison Ford , Mark Hamill , Carrie Fisher , Adam Driver , Andy Serkis , Lupita Nyong’o , Max Von Sydow , Peter Mayhew , Simon Pegg Runtime 136 Minutes Franchise(s) Star Wars Sequel(s) Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi , Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker prequel(s) Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace , Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones , Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith , Solo: A Star Wars Story , Rogue One: A Star Wars Story , Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope , Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back , Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi Budget $447 million Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand