From the moment the trailer for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" hit the Internet, fans have honed in on one specific detail with Force like concentration and that is the likeness between Felicity Jones' character Jyn Erso and Daisy Ridley's Rey from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Immediately, the biggest theory in modern "Star Wars" fandom began making the rounds: Is Jyn Erso Rey's mother?
The honest answer: probably not. The timeline necessary for such a development doesn't fit quite as nicely as one would hope, though it remains a possibility. The real reason this theory is being shot down is Ridley herself.
"I'm not being funny you guys, but just because she's white and got brown hair...it doesn't mean she's my mom," Ridley said at a recent interview. Of course, this could all just be misdirection. Disney and Lucasfilm have become infamous for their obsession with secrecy and that stands especially true for "Star Wars," the Mouse House's new flagship franchise.
But Ridley's insistence appears to be genuine.
"I think the amazing thing about [Episode VII] is that Finn and Rey don't come from anywhere, and they find a place," she continued. "So to me, it's funny that people think it's so important because I don't really think it is."
Ridley is well under way filming the highly anticipated sequel "Star Wars: Episode VIII," directed by Rian Johnson. It's unknown if that movie will reveal the true lineage of Rey or if the mystery will be carried even further. What we do know is that "Episode VIII" will pick up right where "The Force Awakens" ended - with Rey returning Luke Skywalker's lightsaber - and that, in typical "Star Wars" fashion, the middle entry into the series will be "darker," according to Ridley. Cue the "Empire Strikes Back" comparisons.
What fans assume is that Rey will begin her Jedi training with Luke when "Episode VIII" arrives, but Ridley isn't so sure.
"I don't know if I am a Jedi...I don't think I am.
"We've had this debate as to whether Leia is because she uses her Force powers. Just because she's not like, oh I'm going on an adventure with Luke doesn't make her any less Forceful."
"Star Wars: Episode VIII" will arrive on Dec. 17, 2017.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
