Rey seems to be becoming the new “Darth Vader” figure inStar Wars, but that just makes oneRise of Skywalkermistake all the worse. Last year’s Star Wars Celebration was an unforgettable experience, but one moment sticks out in my memory; Daisy Ridley taking to the stage when Lucasfilm announced her return in the “New Jedi Order.” I’m terminally online, and I’m used to operating in a world where the mere mention of Ridley is controversial. Celebration was a welcome reminder that social media is not real life, becausethe sheer excitement at Rey’s return was palpable.
As exciting as Rey’s return may be, it’s no surprise that progress on this New Jedi Order movie has been slow; writerSteven Knight has left the Daisy Ridley project, and its future seems to be in doubt given the news Simon Kinberg is penning a trilogy that may well become Episodes 10-12. Lucasfilm’s reputation isn’t great; there have been a staggering number ofcanceledStar Warsmoviesand shows over the last decade or so. This time, though, the problems are actually being driven by a surprising argument: thatRidley’s Rey is simply too important to get wrong.
Daisy Ridley Is Darth Vader’s Replacement As The “Face” Of Star Wars
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerseemed to position Rey as the new Luke Skywalker figure, founder of the New Jedi Order. It’s now becoming clear she’s far more, though; Ridley’s Rey is seen asStar Wars' most marketable character, a proven star of the big screen.Rey is essentially the Darth Vader replacement, the new “face” ofStar Wars. There are apparently multiple movies in the works that will feature her in some way, not just Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s New Jedi Order movie.
Lucasfilm’s biggest problem when it comes to Rey, though, is that the studio hasn’t quite fixed on a direction for the character. Several movies featuring Rey are in development, andany one of them could essentially set her new status quo in place, affecting everything else. It’s a far from ideal situation, and it all flows from one critical mistake inThe Rise of Skywalker.
Darth Vader Embodies The Duality Of The Force
Let’s take a step back and ask a simple question: What makes Darth Vader the perfect “face” ofStar Wars? A big part of it lies in the fact the Darth Vader design is so inexpressibly iconic, investing every one of the Sith Lord’s appearances with so much weight and power. I remember the thrill of watchingRogue One: A Star Wars Storyfor the first time, watching with amazement as Darth Vader cut through rebel forces with brutal efficiency. His return inObi-Wan Kenobiwas likewise unforgettable, as he exacted revenge on the Jedi who defeated him on Mustafar.
Redemption, hope, the darkest night overcome by the light of the Jedi… all these ideas are now found in Darth Vader’s fearsome visage.
But there’s more to it than that. Darth Vader embodies the duality of the Force, because he isn’t just a villain; he’s a fallen hero who is ultimately redeemed. On a symbolic level, Vader represents the potential for salvation and redemption, the triumph of the light over the dark.Every atrocity simply underscores the wonder of the ending.Redemption, hope, the darkest night overcome by the light of the Jedi… all these ideas are now found in Darth Vader’s fearsome visage. It’s why he is the “face” of George Lucas’Star Wars, and it makes him very difficult to replace.
Rise Of Skywalker Set Up A Similar Story For Rey… But Backed Away
Rey just doesn’t quite strike the same notes. To be sure, he had her own struggle with darkness - but it felt more like a dark lineage than her own inner dark side. I thinkRise of Skywalkerwas trying to blur the lines there, but the movie didn’t quite pull it off, and it really wasn’t satisfying as a result. When Rey did see a vision of herself as a Sith (“Dark Rey”),it wasn’t clear whether this potential future was her own choice, or a result of her being possessed by her grandfather’s spirit. It was something of a mess.
Personally, I viewThe Rise of Skywalkeras something of a frustrating film; it has a lot of ideas I was interested in exploring in greater detail, but it never actually committed to them. I’m fascinated by theForce Dyad, for example, which has the potential to redefine the Force in a fascinating way, but any real exploration has been reserved for tie-ins. Dark Rey is another case, an idea so exciting it featured prominently inRise of Skywalker’s marketing, when it’s really just a brief moment that’s then forgotten at speed.
Star Wars Failed Rey, Making Her A More Frustrating “Face” For Star Wars Than Vader
Don’t get me wrong here, I don’t want to join the legion of Rey haters; as I mentioned earlier, I loved Celebration because it reminded me there’s so much love for the character. I can’t even begin to count how many cosplayers had come dressed as Rey, and the announcement of Ridley’s return was a highlight of the whole event. But there seems to be no denying the truth thatStar Warsfailed Rey, her character arcs and motivations damaged because of poor plotting and too many course-corrections.
Imagine a scenario whereThe Rise of Skywalkerhad actually committed to Dark Rey, turning Rey’s battle with the dark side into something much more compelling - something really rooted in her own inner darkness rather than some weird, ill-defined legacy that came because Palpatine insisted he was her grandfather. This version of Rey would be one whose story incorporated both darkness and light in a much more visceral way, meaning she more easily struck the same symbolic notes as Darth Vader.
Lucasfilm’s sequel trilogy stumbles mean Rey will never really be the “face” ofStar Wars. She’ll certainly be Lucasfilm’s most marketable character, their one remaining proven big-screen superstar now too many other characters have been killed off (Kylo Ren) or simply underdeveloped (Finn). But she could have been so much more, hadStar Warsnot failed inThe Rise of Skywalker.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Cast
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, released in December 2019, follows the surviving Resistance as they confront the First Order. The film continues the journey of Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as they harness the power of past generations to engage in a climactic battle against the forces of tyranny.
