Rey

Origin

Most of the origin of Rey is unknown. She only has memories of being left on the desert plant Jakku as a child by her family, who left the planet by spaceship. As a scavenger, she survived by selling technology and parts from wreckage to Unkar Plutt. She lived alone in a decayed, old AT-AT Imperial Walker.

Creation

Rey is the main protagonist of the sequel trilogy in the Star Wars (1977) series, created by J.J. Abrams. Rey's first film appearance was in Star Wars: the Force Awakens (2015). Her first video game appearance was in Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, along the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Playset released on December 18, 2015.

For Disney Infinity, she is voiced by Daisy Ridley in the English production, the same actress from the Star Wars movies.

Character Development

J.J Abrams, the director and co-writer of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, took much of his experience from working on Felicity (1998) and Alias (2001) in developing Rey. Her character's name was initially kept hidden until a later issue of Entertainment Weekly, and Abrams explained that Rey's lack of a last name was "completely intentional". This has led to speculation that she is the decedent of some previously known character.

Game Appearances

Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition

The Star Wars: The Force Awakens Playset for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition was announced at the D23 convention in August of 2015. The playset was finally released on the same day as the film. The series developed by Avalanche Software and published by Disney Interactive Studios uses collectible figures that will synchronize with the game itself.

The story mode of The Force Awakens Playset is a heavily abbreviated adaptation of the film story. Rey's primary weapon throughout the majority of the game is her staff and blaster from the beginning. She has no use of the lightsaber or the Force, outside of the final cinematic.

Powers & Abilities

Engineering

Rey learned much about technology and engineering while working as a scavenger that took parts from many of the wreckage of Imperial and Rebellion battles. Working technology sold better than broken scrap. Cleaning and fixing equipment was to her benefit.

Piloting Skills

Rey is a talented and mainly self taught pilot.

The Force

Rey lived most of her life unaware of her affinity to the Force. She first got a glimpse of her powers in Maz Kanata's castle, but truly became aware of her connection to the Force as Kylo Ren attempted to probe her mind. Most of what she knew was based on what legends said a Jedi was capable of doing.

Force Mind Trick

The Force mind trick is the ability to manipulate the thoughts, words, and actions of the weaker willed. This was one of the earliest powers that Rey tested, as she was captured and bound by The First Order. While left alone, she commanded a stormtrooper to release her restraints, leave the cell open, and abandon his weapon. It failed on her first few attempts but worked once she focused on her target.

Force Telekinesis

The ability of Force telekinesis is the power to move objects with the will alone. With training and focus, the size of the object has no restrictions. Rey first used Force telekinesis to claim the lightsaber before Kylo Ren could take it.

Weapons & Equipment

Bow Staff

Rey's bow staff is her earliest known means of self defense on Jakku. It's unknown where she came by it, but she's hardly ever seen without it.

Blaster

Rey was given a blaster by Han Solo, but she initially had little knowledge of its use. The first time she used it, she had accidentally kept the safety on.

Lightsaber

Rey's first lightsaber was the same one originally created by Anikin Skywalker (Dark Vader), and passed on to Luke Skywalker but lost it after Vader severed his hand on Bespin. It's unknown how it was reclaimed. Rey heard the lightsaber calling to her from deep within the castle of Maz Kanata.

Other Media

Movies

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Though Star Wars: The Force Awakens, released on December 18, 2015, was the seventh film in the Star Wars series, it is the first to be released after Disney purchased the rights from George Lucas for four billion dollars. J.J. Abrams served as director, co-produced, and co-writer for the relaunch of the Star Wars franchise. Reports stated that although Lucas submitted his concepts for the post-Return of the Jedi era, none of his ideas were used. Abrams also put more of a focus on practical effects in place of the CGI heavy prequels of Lucas. The part of Rey was preformed by Daisy Ridley, as her first major motion picture role.

With a budget of $200 million, the movie grossed $1.5 billion within nineteen days of its initial release. It was the fastest movie to reach $700 million domestically within sixteen days. As of January 2016, it looks to become the highest-grossing film of all-time.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

Ridley reprised her role in the eighth Star Wars film, which was directed by Rian Johnson.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Rey learns that she is the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine.

Books

Several books and novels were released in conjunction with the Episode VII film. Some were made to fill in gaps of the new time line between Episode VI and VII. Rey's first book appearance was in Star Wars: The Force Awakens written by Alan Dean Foster and published by LucasBooks. The digital book was published on December 18th, the audio book on January 1, 2016, and the hardcover on January 5, 2015. A junior novelization of Star Wars: the Force Awakens written by Michael Kogge was also published intended for readers from eight to twelve years old and includes coloring book section. It would be later published on February 16, 2016.

Various other children and short story books were also released, and Rey has appearances in several. They include:

• Star Wars: Before the Awakening (Dec. 18, 2015)
• Star Wars: Rey Meets BB-8 (Dec. 18, 2015)
• Star Wars: Finn & Rey's Escape! (Dec. 18, 2015)
• Star Wars: Han & Chewie Return! (Dec. 18, 2015)
• Star Wars: Lightsaber Rescue (Dec. 18, 2015)
• 5-Minute Star Wars Stories (Dec. 18, 2015)
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Rey's Story (Feb. 16, 2016)
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens storybook (Apr. 5, 2016)
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Read-Along Story Book and CD (Apr. 5, 2016)