Rey is Star Wars Most Valuable Cinematic Character

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As a child of the ’80s, I was captivated by the original Star Wars trilogy, and as a parent now, I’m thrilled to see my kids enjoying the sequel trilogy just as much. Daisy Ridley’s portrayal of Rey has been nothing short of phenomenal, and it’s heartening to see Lucasfilm recognizing her potential as the cornerstone of future Star Wars projects.

In “The Last Jedi,” Kylo Ren dismissed Rey as an insignificant person, but it appears that Lucasfilm sees her quite differently. A recent report suggests that Daisy Ridley’s character, the lightsaber-wielding hero of “Star Wars,” is central to numerous upcoming projects within the franchise. Originally appearing in 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” Rey quickly took over as the main character and the last surviving Skywalker when she assumed the name at the end of 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker.” Although the Skywalker Saga may have concluded then, it seems that Lucasfilm is far from finished with Rey, as there have been active plans to create a standalone film starring her, which Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy will direct.

A fresh report by The Hollywood Reporter suggests that Lucasfilm may have significant future plans for the character Rey. It’s been disclosed that Simon Kinberg’s upcoming Star Wars trilogy could potentially feature Rey in some capacity, which is why initial reports suggested the trilogy would encompass Episodes X, XI, and XII. However, it appears that Kinberg’s trilogy may clash with Obaid-Chiony’s Rey film, as its screenwriter has recently departed. Despite this competition between the projects, a source close to Star Wars told The Hollywood Reporter that Rey is currently “the most precious cinematic asset, in some ways perhaps even the only one, that Star Wars possesses right now.

In the rich tapestry of Star Wars, some of the greatest figures in movie history reside. However, Lucasfilm faces certain restrictions when it comes to revisiting these iconic characters, such as Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa. Despite potential stories for them, Lucasfilm is wary about recasting legendary characters after the financial underperformance of Solo: A Star Wars Story. The recent passing of Darth Vader’s voice actor, James Earl Jones, raises questions about using AI technology to replicate his voice as seen in Obi-Wan Kenobi, especially for a full movie. Characters like Chewbacca, R2D2, C-3PO, and Yoda may not be able to carry an entire film on their own. Among the legacy characters, it appears that those from the sequel trilogy, particularly Rey, hold the most potential value.

The Future of Star Wars Is in Rey’s Hands

The idea of Rey being a vital character in the Star Wars franchise indeed sinks the narrative that a specific subset of the Star Wars fandom has tried to sell, that nobody likes the sequel trilogy of films, specifically Rey, who often gets labeled as a “Mary Sue.” Given the sequel trilogy’s popularity at the box office, many young children undoubtedly saw those films. Rey was the center of that trilogy, and, to an entire generation, their entry into Star Wars. Just like how Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen’s return to the Star Wars franchise was met with open arms despite the mixed reaction to the prequel trilogy at the time of its release, the same will likely happen for Rey and the rest of the sequel trilogy.

Instead of overfocusing on Rey, it’s apparent that Star Wars is facing an issue: there’s a need to develop fresh fan-adored characters. The Mandalorian and Grogu, who have gained popularity from their hit Disney+ series and the success of their merchandise, will have their turn at the box office with The Mandalorian & Grogu in May 2026. Lucasfilm possesses a wealth of appealing characters from the sequel trilogy that could headline their own films, such as Finn (John Boyega), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), and Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran). Although additional Rey stories would be delightful, Lucasfilm must also focus on generating new fan-favorite characters in upcoming films like Simon Kinberg’s trilogy, Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron, and Shawn Levy’s planned project. Despite our affection for the original characters, Star Wars should aim to encompass more than just one individual.

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2024-11-13 01:03