The fan theory machine was running at peak capacity prior to Star Wars: The Last Jedi, particularly regarding two important questions: Who are Rey's parents? and What's the deal with Snoke? Rian Johnson's film answered those questions by saying they aren't important. There aren't quite as many obviously pressing questions in need of theorizing heading in to Star Wars: Episode IX, but there are still some fun theories out there. Director, podcaster and professional fan Kevin Smith actually heard an awesome theory that answers some questions, gives the fans something cool that ties together different parts of the Star Wars universe. Here's the theory, as told by Kevin Smith:
Because now that they don't have Princess Leia stories to tell, they need another strong female character in the universe and Ahsoka's been there for years, much beloved, just isn't in the movies... I was like, 'I think maybe they're doing that so they can slowly bring her into the movies.' And then Brian [Volk--Weiss] blows my f-ckin' mind by going, 'Maybe that's who Keri Russell's playing?' and then I said, 'What the f-ck, man?! I wanna see your version of Star Wars!' Then I was like, 'No, that can't be it, I think Keri Russell probably plays Rey's mom,' and then he f-ckin' drops the bomb and he goes, 'What if it's the same person?'
That is intriguing. Anakin Skywalker's Padawan from The Clone Wars animated movie and TV series, as well as the Rebels series, is a fan favorite character that has never made the jump to live action. At this point, you would think that she won't be in a Saga film and the only chance for her to show up would be in one of the anthology films. However, Ahsoka Tano is making her return in the revived Star Wars: The Clone Wars series set to debut on Disney's streaming service, so she will be in the Star Wars zeitgeist again, keeping her as one of the most prominent canon characters to not be in a live-action movie. But as Kevin Smith relayed on his Fat Man on Batman show, Brian Volk-Weiss theorizes that that's who Keri Russell is playing in Star Wars: Episode IX.
Keri Russell's character is shrouded in mystery at the moment (as are all of the new cast), but if she is playing Ahsoka, that would be a phenomenally kept secret. Also, despite the answer given to Rey's parentage in The Last Jedi, Keri Russell is also a prime candidate to be playing Rey's mom, if in fact Rey's mom is in the movie. To finally bring Ahsoka into the live-action realm and as Rey's mom would be an absolutely wild reveal and Kevin Smith is here for it. Upon hearing this theory Kevin Smith immediately told J.J. Abrams to make this happen, as he explained:
So, instantly, I wrote to JJ Abrams, 'You must do this.' Could you imagine? That would be fuckin' wild...I don't think it is, but that was one of the greatest fan theories I've ever heard about. Wouldn't that be hot? Not only is Ahsoka in these movies but she's f-ckin' Rey's mom.
Whether J.J. Abrams takes Kevin Smith's advice, says 'Thanks but no thanks' or tells the higher-ups at Disney that they have a leak remains to be seen, but we have heard that he might tie Episode IX back to the prequels. This would indeed be wild, and it is an awesome theory that certainly keeps with Star Wars' tradition of shocking familial ties. I'm not sure the specifics of alien biology in a galaxy far, far away, so I don't know if a Togruta like Ahsoka could produce offspring that looks like Rey, but they could probably explain it somehow.
The real question on the part of this theory about Ahsoka being Rey's mom is whether or not J.J. Abrams is actually going to retcon the answer about Rey's parentage. He could make it so that Kylo lied to her, but that does a huge disservice to The Last Jedi. That said, it would make a lot of fans happy and would tie Rey back to Anakin, the prequels and the beginning of this Saga. But if Ahsoka is the mom, who's the daddy?
So far the sequel trilogy and spinoffs have only included characters and events from the animated series in minor ways, like Saw Gerrera in Rogue One and bringing back Darth Maul for Solo: A Star Wars Story. It would be nice for Ahsoka to make the jump in a major way given her importance to that side of the Star Wars canon. This way might be a bit fan service-y, but hopefully the character gets her due sooner rather than later.
Stay tuned to CinemaBlend and we'll keep you updated on all the latest in crazy theories from a galaxy far, far away. The Skywalker Saga ends when Star Wars: Episode IX hits theaters on December 20, 2019.
