A new Star Wars comic hints that it will retcon the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi while at the same time fueling rumors about Rey and Emperor Palpatine.
The comic previewed by Star Wars is titled Age of Resistance – Rey #1 by writer Tom Taylor with art by Ramon Rosanas. Half of the comic will feature a story that takes place between The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. It will follow Rey as she confides in General Leia Organa after she witnessed the death of Han Solo.
The preview page for the comic sees Poe Dameron and General Organa questioning whether or not Rey will find Luke Skywalker.
Poe asks, “You think she’ll find him?” Leia responds, “She’ll find him, Poe.” Poe adds, “She’d better, Luke may be our only hope.” Leia responds, “No. I believe there is another.” That another is very clearly meant to be Rey as the comic panel shows Rey in the Millennium Falcon telling Chewie to “punch it.”
Star Wars fans will immediately see how this connects to the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. When Luke decides to forgo his training and leave Dagobah in order to save his friends on Cloud City, Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Yoda, “That boy is our last hope.” Yoda responds, “No. There is another.”
https://youtu.be/NAA7RvhPvMg
As to who that other could be, Obi-Wan Kenobi reveals that to Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi.
Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Luke, “You were our only hope.” Luke responds, “Yoda spoke of another.” Kenobi responds, “The other he spoke of is your twin sister.” He elaborates, “To protect you both from the Emperor you were hidden from your father when you were born. The Emperor knew as I did if Anakin were to have any offspring they would be a threat to him. That is the reason your sister remains safely anonymous.” Luke responds, “Leia. Leia is my sister.” Kenobi confirms, “Your insight serves you well. Bury your feelings deep down, Luke. They do you credit, but they could be made to serve the Emperor.”
https://youtu.be/Z8uDQuWlnww
These conversations are related to the prophecy of the Chosen One that is heavily featured in the prequel trilogy. Obi Wan Kenobi reveals the details of the prophecy in Revenge of the Sith, “Is he not the Chosen One? Is he not to destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force.” Mace Windu confirms, “So the prophecy says.” However, Yoda warns, “A prophecy that misread could have been.”
https://youtu.be/87j7CR1nJhk
In fact, part of the prophecy might have actually been for Anakin to fall to the Dark Side and become Darth Vader. Sidious tells Anakin after he cuts off Windu’s hand, “You are fulfilling your destiny, Anakin.”
After Anakin’s fall, Obi-Wan believes it is Luke’s destiny to fulfill the prophecy. While Yoda also cautions that Leia could fulfill it as well. However, the prophecy was not misread. Anakin Skywalker is the Chosen One and he is the one to destroy the Sith. It’s not Luke Skywalker who defeats Emperor Palpatine. It’s Anakin Skywalker. After he sees his son being tortured, he discovers a path of redemption. He picks up the Emperor and tosses him down the central shaft of the Death Star where he fell to his death.
Now, Star Wars and Lucasfilm hint that Palpatine will be returning in Rise of the Skywalker as his voice and laughter are clearly heard at the end of the trailer that debuted during Star Wars Celebration. Not only did they reveal Palpatine might still be around, but they are hinting that Rey might actually be the Chosen One instead of Anakin.
In fact, rumors indicate that Palpatine’s spirit is somehow stored in an object called the Wayfinder. Both Rey and Kylo Ren have to fend off the Knights of Ren and Palpatine. After defeating a Palpatine possessed Knights of Ren member, Palpatine possesses Kylo Ren. There is an internal struggle between Ren and Palpatine with Ren assuming control of his body where he asks Rey to kill him. Rey accepts his request and kills Palpatine for good. This rumor combined with this comic and the hints of Palpatine’s return indicate Star Wars and Lucasfilm plan to retcon much of George Lucas’ original and prequel trilogies out of existence in favor of their own Disney creation in Rey.
I can only imagine the disgust, contempt, and ultimately apathy that will follow Star Wars if this rumor and these teases end up coming true. It will be a bloodbath for Star Wars and Lucasfilm.