Rian Johnson Says Rey's True Parentage is Still Open For STAR WARS: EPISODE IX

If you weren't a fan of the way director Rian Johnson handled the answer to Rey's origin in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, you'll be happy to know that that's not the final word. In a recent interview with HuffPost, the director talks about why he took this aspect of the story in the direction that he did and also says the real truth behind Rey's parentage is still open.

If you've already seen The Last Jedi, then you know Kylo Ren hammers it into Rey's mind that her parents were nobody. There were a lot of fans pissed off by this, but I thought it was pretty clear that this was a manipulation tactic to get her to join him. 

Johnson explains that this answer to the question that Rey has always longed for is “the most difficult thing dramatically for Rey in this movie to hear." He goes on to say, "What’s going to make life hardest on her? It would be the big ‘I am your father’ twist [from ‘The Empire Strikes Back’]." He went on to explain that Luke learning Vader is his father is “the hardest thing the character could possibly hear in that moment.” 

He expanded on how this reveal in The Last Jedi affects Rey saying:

“And same thing with Rey and her parentage. The easy thing would be, ‘Yes, your parents are so and so and here’s your place in the world. There you go.’ The hardest thing she could hear would be [...] ‘No, you’re not going to get the answer. This is not going to define you. You’re going to have to find your own place in this world. Kylo is going to use that even as leverage to try and make you feel insecure, and you’re going to have to stand on your own two feet.’” 

This isn't the final word, though. J.J. Abrams is currently developing Star Wars: Episode IX and the final say about Rey's parentage lies with him. Johnson makes it clear that anything can happen:

“Anything’s still open, and I’m not writing the next film. J.J. Abrams and Chris Terrio] are doing it. I was very thankful there was no slip of paper that was handed to me that said Rey’s parents are so and so."

I understand that there were still a lot of questions about the new Star Wars trilogy that were left on the table at the end of The Last Jedi, but we have one more film to go that will answer the questions we've been waiting for. Hopefully, Abrams answers them!