There are countless wild Star Wars theories out there, but I’m absolutely convinced this shocking theory about Rey Skywalker may be true. The Star Wars sequel trilogy heavily focused on who Rey’s parents were from the very beginning. In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, this took the form of Rey obsessing over staying on Jakku in case her parents came back for her, while in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, it was Kylo Ren who revealed to Rey that her parents were “nobodies” and had simply been “filthy junk traders who sold [her] for drinking money.”
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker flipped that on its head, in what became one of the problems with the Star Wars sequel trilogy movies. Namely, Palpatine had “somehow” returned, and Rey was revealed to be a descendant of Palpatine himself. Although this was primarily explained off-screen rather than in Star Wars movies and TV shows, it was revealed that Rey’s father, Dathan, had been a so-called ‘failed’ Palpatine clone, as he wasn’t Force sensitive. Yet, I fully believe that Rey has a much more shocking family connection than this—and, no, it isn’t Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Rey Has Another Major Family Connection—And It Isn’t A Jedi Or Sith
Star Wars: The Bad Batch Set Up A Shocking Familial Relation For Rey
Although it’s been confirmed that Rey’s father was a clone of Palpatine, there’s still so much we don’t know about Rey’s origins. While this applies to an entire half of her family tree, as her mother, Miramir, hasn’t been explored much at all in Star Wars, I actually believe there is more to this Palpatine connection than has been shown so far. Specifically, Star Wars: The Bad Batch revealed so much more about how Palpatine was cloning himself, particularly when it came to Force-sensitive clones.
This was done through Project Necromancer, Palpatine’s resurrection plan that involved him finding ways to create Force-sensitive clones of himself. As The Bad Batch showed, this required not only Palpatine’s genetic material but also Force-sensitive genetic material. In fact, the Empire was specifically trying to increase the m-count of the clones themselves to prove this could work. This is precisely why the Empire suddenly became so interested in Omega.
Omega’s Blood Was The Only Successful Sample We Know Of
So Far, We Don’t Know Of Anyone Else Who Could Have Supplied This Genetic Material
Based on The Bad Batch season 3 ending, Omega is the only known subject to have had her m-count successfully increased through Project Necromancer. Granted, also in this ending, the cloning facility was blown up, raising questions yet again about how Palpatine was ultimately able to successfully (or relatively successfully, given Dathan wasn’t Force sensitive) make clones of himself. For unknown reasons, Star Wars has left that a mystery once more.
However, it stands to reason that, based on the progress of this project, some of these materials may have survived—presumably Omega’s among them. Considering Omega’s was the only genetic material after prolonged trial and error to successfully have its m-count increased, it very well may be that it was her genetic material, combined with Palpatine’s, that was used to create these clones, including Dathan. Were that the case, Rey would also be a descendant of Omega.
It very well may be that it was her genetic material, combined with Palpatine’s, that was used to create these clones.
Rey Was Obviously The Product Of This Experiment
Dathan Wasn’t Force Sensitive, But Rey Was
As mentioned, the cloning project was only relatively successful. Yet, there are plenty of hints that Rey was a direct product of Project Necromancer. This is primarily because Rey was born of one of these clones, and she was Force sensitive. There admittedly could be other explanations for this, such as Miramir having pᴀssed down Force sensitivity or even Rey being Force sensitive separate from genetics, as can at times be the case.
That seems like a bit of a stretch to me, though, given Star Wars has made it quite clear that Dathan’s entire reason for existing was due to Palpatine’s efforts to create a Force-sensitive clone. It feels plausible that this Force sensitivity may not have been present in Dathan but was inherited by Rey. Again, if that’s the case, then Rey would by necessity be the descendant not only of Palpatine but also of whoever provided the rest of the genetic material.
Rey would by necessity be the descendant not only of Palpatine but also of whoever provided the rest of the genetic material.
This Connection Could Be Explored In New Jedi Order
This Would Be An Incredible Way To Bring These Stories Together
If this was the case, this is absolutely something that could be explored in Rey’s upcoming Star Wars movie, rumored to be тιтled Star Wars: New Jedi Order. This movie is confirmed to take place fifteen years after The Rise of Skywalker in the Star Wars timeline, and Rey actress Daisy Ridley is currently the only confirmed cast member of the movie. This heavily hints that Rey will continue to be the focus, presumably establishing a Jedi Order of her own.
This would therefore be the perfect time for Star Wars to reveal these shocking details about Rey’s lineage. Not only would this be a thrilling update, brilliantly connecting different eras of the Star Wars timeline and calling back to a beloved character, but also, this may ameliorate some of the damage done by the very unpopular Palpatine twist. That continues to be a sore point in the franchise, and while it wouldn’t be totally fixed, it would add a fascinating new layer to the story that may make audiences slightly more receptive to this backstory.
This may ameliorate some of the damage done by the very unpopular Palpatine twist.
It would also work as an extension not only of The Bad Batch and the Star Wars sequel trilogy but also of the Star Wars books, which have explored the story of Rey’s parents in considerably more detail. The canon book Star Wars: Shadow of the Sith, written by Adam Christopher, reveals brand-new details about Dathan and Miramir escaping and hiding from Palpatine and why they ultimately chose to abandon Rey. This Omega storyline also wouldn’t have to contradict this story but rather would flesh it out even more.
Purchase Star Wars: Shadow of the Sith
This would only be of benefit to Star Wars, which has struggled to course correct following Palpatine’s resurrection and the backlash to it. In fact, as Star Wars still has to explain exactly how Palpatine’s clone project worked, this would be a logical next step. Yes, this theory is a bit of a stretch, but I fully believe it and really hope Star Wars confirms that it is true, especially as a huge fan of Omega. Rey Skywalker’s lineage in Star Wars has continued to be a focus, and this would be the perfect update to this complex story.
