Ask AI: What if Rey was Luke's daughter with Mara Jade

Theoretically, if Rey were Luke Skywalker's daughter with Mara Jade, it would have significantly altered the storyline of the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Here are a few potential implications: 1. **Character Backstory**: - Rey's backstory would have been colored by the legacy of both Luke and Mara Jade. Mara Jade, in the Expanded Universe (now termed Legends), was a complex character. She was initially an Emperor's Hand, a special agent for Emperor Palpatine, who later became a Jedi and married Luke Skywalker. Rey would have inherited a complex legacy with elements of the dark side and the light side, making her inner conflict richer and more intriguing. 2. **Luke's Narrative**: - Luke's character arc in the sequel trilogy would likely have been different. Knowing he had a daughter might have influenced his decisions and interactions with the other characters, potentially giving him a renewed sense of purpose. His self-imposed exile might have had additional layers of motivation related to Rey's safety or his perceived failures as a father and teacher. 3. **Family Dynamics**: - The Skywalker family dynamics would have been further expanded. Rey’s interactions with Kylo Ren/Ben Solo would also carry deeper familial ties, which could make their push-and-pull relationship even more dramatic. 4. **Mara Jade's Inclusion**: - Mara Jade’s introduction into the canon would have provided an opportunity to explore her character, either through flashbacks or other narrative devices. Her unique perspective as both a former servant of the Emperor and a Jedi would provide richness to the story. 5. **Different Motivations**: - Rey's quest for identity, which was a central theme in the sequel trilogy, would shift from "unknown parents" to living up to the legacies of her parents. This could influence her motivations and development as a character. 6. **Impact on Themes**: - Themes of legacy, redemption, and family could have been explored even more deeply. Rey's connection to Luke and Mara could have allowed the trilogy to delve into the complexities of family legacy in a more direct way. It's worth noting that the actual direction taken by the sequels, with Rey being the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine, emphasized themes of self-identification and finding one's place irrespective of one's lineage. However, her being Luke and Mara Jade’s daughter would provide another potential avenue for thematic exploration and character development.

It's possible that Rey could be Luke's daughter with Mara Jade in an alternate timeline. In this timeline, Mara Jade may have been an important figure in the galaxy and reunited with Luke after his Jedi training was complete. It's possible that they could have had a brief romance, resulting in Rey's birth. Rey might have inherited some special abilities from both of her parents, allowing her to use the Force in powerful ways that neither of them could. However, there is no evidence to confirm this in canon.