The Star Wars sequel trilogy has sparked much discussion and debate over the years, especially around the character of Rey and her mysterious origins.
Daisy Ridley, who portrayed Rey, shared her thoughts on how her character’s background was initially conceived.
The Original Plan: Rey Was “No One”
In a recent discussion, Daisy Ridley, who portrayed Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, revealed that she was a big fan of the original plan for her character.
Ridley shared that throughout the first two films, Rey was intended to be “no one”—just a powerful individual who didn’t need to come from a famous family to make her mark on the galaxy.
Author Sariah Wilson posted on her Twitter about a conversation she had with Ridley, where they both discussed how much they loved the idea of Rey coming from nowhere.
“I told Daisy Ridley how much I loved ‘Rey Nobody,’ how Rey was just powerful on her own and was sad when they made her a Palpatine,” Wilson tweeted. “Daisy said she also loved that Rey came from nowhere, and for the first two films, that was the plan.”
Ridley further confirmed, “I literally was told that she was no one, so yeah, I totally understand that. I do understand that.”
This idea was reinforced in The Last Jedi when Rey confronts Kylo Ren in the throne room after defeating Snoke.
In this pivotal moment, Kylo delivers the revelation that left many fans shocked: “You have no place in this story. You’re nothing. But not to me.”
Kylo’s statement suggests that Rey’s parents were insignificant, confirming her “nobody” status.
This original concept of Rey being a “nobody” resonated with many fans because it challenged the idea that only those from powerful bloodlines could shape the fate of the galaxy.
Rey’s strength, determination, and connection to the Force were meant to stand on their own, proving that greatness can come from the most unexpected places.
A Shift in Rey’s Story in The Rise of Skywalker
When The Rise of Skywalker concluded the Star Wars sequel trilogy, it left fans with plenty to talk about—especially regarding the major reveal about Rey’s heritage.
For much of the trilogy, Rey’s mysterious background fueled speculation among fans, but the final film took her story in a surprising direction by revealing that she was the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine.
This twist sparked divided reactions, with some fans appreciating the connection to a legendary villain, while others felt it contradicted the earlier portrayal of Rey as a “nobody.”
Daisy Ridley herself has spoken openly about how Rey’s lineage evolved throughout the making of the films.
Appearing as a guest on The Jimmy Kimmel Show, Ridley shared that her character’s backstory wasn’t always tied to Palpatine.
In fact, earlier drafts considered linking Rey to Obi-Wan Kenobi.
As Ridley explained, “At the beginning [Lucasfilm] were toying with an Obi-Wan connection. There were different versions and at one point she was no one.”
According to Ridley, Rey’s origins were in flux even during the filming of the final movie.
The decision-making process around which family Rey belonged to shifted frequently, with the Palpatine connection not being set in stone until late in production.
“It came to Episode IX, and J.J. [Abrams] pitched me the film, and they were like, ‘Oh yeah, Palpatine’s grandaddy,’ and I was like ‘Awesome.’ And then two weeks later he was like, ‘Oh, we’re not sure…’ So it kept changing. So even as we were filming, I wasn’t sure what the answer was going to be.”
This uncertainty behind the scenes contributed to the mixed reactions from fans, as some felt that Rey’s connection to Palpatine seemed like an abrupt shift, given the hints throughout the earlier films that she was a “nobody” with no significant family ties.