Leia’s secret plan for Rey revealed in latest 'Rise of Skywalker' leak

As the release date for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker approaches, Rey’s past and lineage remain shrouded in mystery. We know Rey’s history will further be explored in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and a new leak from Making Star Wars editor Jason Ward reveals Leia made plans for Rey after realizing her true identity all the way back in The Force Awakens.

Warning! Speculation and discussion of previous leaks ahead for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

When Leia first met Rey in The Force Awakens, she seemed to treat her as a mother would a child. If nothing else, Leia seemed very protective of the young woman who looked to her and Han as parental figures in the absence of her own. Did Leia have any other reasons for treating Rey with such kindness? She did make it a point to hug her after Han’s death, possibly signaling Leia may have already known who Rey was. Additionally, a previous fan theory speculated that Leia, Luke, and Han were already familiar with Rey. But how?

A new MSW leak seems to extrapolate from this idea, suggesting The Rise of Skywalker will reveal that Leia knew Rey was Palpatine’s granddaughter back in The Force Awakens. With that dark lineage in mind, Leia planned for Rey to train with Luke all along. If nothing else, this new information puts an intriguing spin on Rey’s journey since Episode VII, and casts her interactions with Leia and Luke in an intriguing new light.

Here’s the gist from the Episode IX leak:

Leia sends Rey Palpatine to Luke because she hopes that Luke will see the blank slate Rey is and wish to cultivate it towards the good side. Leia sees it as something that can save Luke Skywalker and bring the Jedi back.

This new information offers a spin on the idea that Leia and Luke both knew about Rey, while simultaneously confirming that Palpatine is her grandfather. Why else would Leia personally send Rey off to train with her brother? It’s one of the few things that’s confused fans all these years.

Leia’s plan would have benefitted both siblings: Rey’s Force powers would grow, and she’d remain on the Light side of the Force. Meanwhile, Luke successfully training Rey meant he’d be less despondent following his failings with Kylo Ren. Two birds, one stone.

While it’s unclear how Leia would have known about Rey’s backstory, it’s possible The Rise of Skywalker will expand on the details. Of course, Star Wars mythology hasn’t always been planned, and not every question will have an answer. (Look no further than to J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson’s opposing ideas regarding Rey’s backstory.) Still, if any of this proves true, then Star Wars fans are in for a great twist that would tie the last three films together in a nice, tidy bow.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters December 20.