Star Wars Theory: Rey's Accent May Be A Clue to Her Identity

Originally Posted 9/20/19

Mystery has always surrounded the identity of the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy's Rey. The events of The Force Awakens led many to believe that she possessed Skywalker -- or, at least, Kenobi -- blood. But The Last Jedi seemingly dispelled those notions when Kylo Ren revealed that her parents were unimportant drunks. However, The Rise of Skywalker director J.J. Abrams has seemingly dropped clues leading fans to wonder whether or not the Force-sensitive scavenger's lineage has been accurately revealed after all. So the Star Wars speculation mill is up-and-running once again. But the answer to who Rey really is may lie in the most unlikely place: her accent. I know it sounds crazy but hear me out:

Nearly all of the villains in the Sequel Trilogy (in other words, members of the 1st Order) -- Supreme Leader Snoke, General Hux, Captain Phasma, Daniel Craig's Storm Trooper -- speak with British accents. The one exception is Kylo Ren. But, of course, his career began as a Jedi -- and may very well end that way (It's a stretch but you never know.). Meanwhile, the vast majority of the heroes -- Han, Luke, Poe, Leia, Rose -- speak with American accents. Even Finn sounds American and he's portrayed by a British actor (John Boyega). The few exceptions include: C-3PO; Lor San Tekka, the guy who gave Poe the map (portrayed by Swedish actor Max von Sydow); and Rey. 3PO and Map Guy's accents may be explained by the fact that they've been around since the Old Republic -- remember, LSG remembers Leia as "royalty" and 3PO used to belong to Vader. Rey, on the other hand, is far younger than both of them.

In the Star Wars Original Trilogy, the heroes are easily discernible from the villains. Emperor Palpatine, Moff Tarkin, and the various Imperial officers have British accents. In fact, Darth Vader seemed to be the only Imperial without one. But of course, his voice -- and presumably his accent -- was artificial. Most of the heroes -- Lando, Luke, Han, Wedge, Leia -- sound American. The exceptions are Obi-Wan, Mon Motha and C-3PO. But those last three -- like Map Guy -- belong to the Old Republic generation. Mon Motha was even an Imperial senator before joining the Rebel Alliance.

Rogue One largely adheres to the formula as well. All of the Imperials, Moff Tarkin, Director Krennic, Galen Erso, and even Imperial droid K2SO have British accents. Again, Mon Motha = Imperial Senate. And Jyn? Daughter of an Imperial scientist.

Given that the Prequel Trilogy takes place during the Old Republic, many heroes and villains alike speak with British accents.

But again, Rey is the one and only young hero in the current trilogy who sounds as though she breaks for tea. What does this have to do with anything? Well, Rey's accent may foreshadow a hidden connection to the returning Emperor Palpatine -- or some other Imperial. Or even a villainous turn. But it's just a theory.