Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkercontroversially ended withRey Skywalkerclaiming the last name Skywalker for her own, but, despite the controversy, this moment connected to the original plan forStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. The Skywalkers are easily the most important family inStar Warsmovies and TV shows, andthe Skywalker family treehas dominated the franchise from the very beginning. Perhaps for that reason, many bristled (to say the least) when Rey chose the name for herself.
Star Warsworked to make it clear that, in-universe, the Skywalkers themselves approved, as the Force ghosts of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa smiled down at Rey when she announced her new last name, but that did little to resolve the backlash. In part, this was due to the generally negative perception of the sequel trilogy, which many still perceive as some ofStar Wars’worst movies.This name change for Rey has a connection to the very first movie chronologically intheStar Warstimeline, suggesting it wasn’t a throwaway concept at all.
The Phantom Menace Almost Ended With A Name Change Too
Star Warsconcept and storyboard artist Iain McCaig shockingly explained in a recent interview that there was almostan alternate ending toThe Phantom Menacethat would have meant one major change to the franchise. In an earlier draft of the script,Obi-Wan Kenobi was meant to be the older Jedi Master, and Qui-Gon Jinn was meant to be the younger apprentice. It was Obi-Wan who would have died at the hands of Darth Maul, and Qui-Gon would have honored his fallen Jedi Master by taking his name.
Qui-Gon would have honored his fallen Jedi Master by taking his name.
This ending would have symbolized Qui-Gon fully taking on Obi-Wan’s legacy (especially by training Anakin Skywalker following his Jedi Master’s death) and, in a sense, his entire identity. McCaig explained:
“For a time, the older Jedi was named Obi-Wan, and the younger Jedi was named Qui-Gon. It was very poignant that at the end, as Obi-Wan dies and Qui-Gon defeats Darth Maul and stays with his Master as he passes away, he not only takes on his Master’s quest, but he takes on his name. Qui-Gon becomes Obi-Wan. That’s why when you see Alec Guinness inA New Hope, he puts his hood down and goes, ‘Obi-Wan? Now that’s a name I’ve not heard….’ Because he’s not Obi-Wan, he’s Qui-Gon. And right at the end, George changed it.”
In addition to this having massive implications forThe Phantom Menaceand for Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon’s respective stories,this reveal suggests that there was plenty of precedent inStar Warsfor Rey to have chosen her own name.
Chosen Names Have Always Been Part Of Star Wars
Even withThe Phantom Menacehaving a different ending in the final cut,Star Warshas an extensive history of characters choosing their own names, especially their last names.Solo: A Star Wars Storyrevealed that Han Solo adopted the last name ‘Solo’ after an Imperial Officer used it in light of him having no surname and traveling alone. In the prequel trilogy, Padmé, whose actual last name was Naberrie, chose the last name Amidala when she was Queen of Naboo to protect her family.
Padmé, whose actual last name was Naberrie, chose the last name Amidala when she was Queen of Naboo to protect her family.
The Sith naming convention also means that characters are constantly switching names. While Anakin Skywalker’s Sith name, Darth Vader, may have been given to him by Palpatine, other dark side Force-users such as Kylo Ren chose their own name—likely because Kylo Ren wasn’t a true Sith and was mimicking this Sith tradition to legitimize himself. It’s also notable that Leia, who was a Skywalker by blood, elected not to claim the last name for her own, as she never truly forgave Vader and also was an Organa"in every way,“as Bail had once said.
Rey Skywalker Fits So Well Thematically With Lucas' Ideas
Many would likely argue that Rey taking the last name Skywalker is different because she laid claim to a family name with such an extensive legacy (ignoring the fact that Luke and Leia directly expressed their approval).This alternate ending toThe Phantom Menaceproves that, not only is it in keeping withStar Warshistory for Rey to choose this last name, but also, it reinforces George Lucas' own ideas. This ending, which very nearly was included inThe Phantom Menace, supports the idea that taking on someone else’s name is a way to honor them.
This Controversial Rise Of Skywalker Decision Was Really The Ultimate Payback For Anakin
One decision in The Rise of Skywalker proved massively controversial, but criticisms often overlook how perfectly it honored Anakin Skywalker.
It will be interesting to see how Rey’s upcomingStar Warsmovie, rumored to be titledStar Wars: New Jedi Order, will address this tension surrounding Rey Skywalker’s name.Details regardingNew Jedi Orderhave been slow to come to light (although there have been some updates from Daisy Ridley more recently). It seems impossible that the movie would entirely gloss over this issue, though.
Sadly, Rey Skywalker’s last name is never going to be universally accepted among the fanbase. It is simply too embedded in other controversies within the franchise, particularly pertaining to the sequel trilogy and its reception. Nevertheless, this alternate ending toStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menaceproves that, not only wasRey Skywalker’slast name change inThe Rise of Skywalkerlegitimate, but also, it is upholding a long history and tradition in theStar Warsfranchise.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Cast
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is set in a galaxy facing political turmoil, as Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi seek peace while encountering Anakin Skywalker, a slave with great potential in the Force. Meanwhile, the Sith begin their resurgence, threatening the stability of the Republic.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
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.
Star Wars: New Jedi Order
The tenth mainline installment in the Star Wars franchise is the first movie to follow the sequel trilogy, where Mark Hamill’s Luke, Carrie Fisher’s Leia, and Harrison Ford’s Han Solo gave their final farewell. After the release of The Rise of Skywalker, development on a direct sequel had become dormant as Disney shifted focus on other parts of the galaxy, namely, Disney+ shows such as The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka. However, a movie starring Daisy Ridley as Rey Skywalker was officially announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
