Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker screenwriter promises an answer to ‘Who is Rey?’

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be the last chapter of the Skywalker saga. The final installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy picks up some time after The Last Jedi ended and will answer and raise some pressing questions about the Star Wars universe.

Rise of the Skywalker screenwriter Chris Terrio spoke to Empire about two pivotal questions that shaped the movie. One is obvious — and a hard-pressing question that passionate fans have badgered on about: Who is Rey?

In the interview, Terrio says that the ever-persistent inquiry will be answered not only literally, but metaphorically.

“How can Rey become the spiritual heir to the Jedi? We kept coming back to ‘Who is Rey?’ and how can we give the most satisfying answer to that not only factually — because obviously people are interested in whether there’s more to be learned of Rey’s story — but more importantly who is she as a character? How will she find the courage and will and inner strength and power to carry on what she’s inherited?”

Rey’s bloodline (or lack thereof) is a hot button issue amongst a certain section of Star Wars fans after The Last Jedi revealed that the character was a regular ol’ young lady who was just that good at being a Jedi. Kylo Ren seemingly answered the question definitively in The Last Jedi, making clear that Rey’s bloodline was absolutely nothing special, but that didn’t sit well with some ardent fans who thought The Force Awakens promised bigger answers. The Rise of Skywalker may rewrite — or at least build on — what writer-director Johnson established in his sequel. Or it may just exploring the concept of Rey metaphorically instead.

From more on Terrio, including how The Rise of Skywalker will probe the question of The Force’s true strength, read the full Empire interview.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arrives to theaters on Dec. 20. If these questions are making your head spin, check out new character, Babu Frik, for a pick-me-up.