Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker director JJ Abrams says there's "more to the story" of Rey's parents

Since the title reveal of Star Wars Episode 9 as The Rise of Skywalker, the whole debate over Rey's parents has reignited.

Some fans weren't keen on The Last Jedi's revelation that Rey's parents were nobodies and "filthy junk traders", instead of her being a secret Skywalker. However, others are just hoping that The Rise of Skywalker doesn't retcon The Last Jedi.

And while director JJ Abrams won't be drawn on what happens in the new movie, his new comments do hint at another twist to the story of Rey's origins.

"I will say that we knew, going into this, that this movie, it had to be a satisfying conclusion. And we were well aware that that's one of the things that's been out there," he told ABC News about Rey's parents.

"I don't want to say that what happens in Episode 8 [didn't happen]. We have honoured that. But I will say that there's more to the story than you've seen."

Worrying.

Of course, The Rise of Skywalker is already delving into the past of Star Wars even if it doesn't reveal that Rey is a Skywalker.

Emperor Palpatine is back (somehow) and it was "always" the plan to bring the iconic villain back. "This has been in the blueprint for a long time," explained producer Kathleen Kennedy.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is released in UK cinemas on December 19 and US cinemas on December 20.

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Ian Sandwell

Movies Editor, Digital Spy  Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor.  Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world.   After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.