As the main hero of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Rey Skywalker has been the obvious pick for Luke Skywalker's replacement in the Skywalker saga, but the importance of her return makes it clear that she's reaching an importance that's more akin to Darth Vader himself. Daisy Ridley's return as Rey was announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023, and it was met with a staggering amount of enthusiasm from Star Wars fans. Despite the controversy that continues to surround the Star Wars sequel trilogy, there's no denying the impact of Ridley's Rey, with this serving as the biggest example.

As Star Wars seeks to enter into its next cinematic era, Ridley's Rey is absolutely indispensable, something that has recently been revealed in true depth. THR reported that Lucasfilm acknowledges New Jedi Order movie helmed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. This makes it clear just how important Rey has become, and how it all began with her sequel trilogy role comparison - and how it's quickly changing.

Rey Has Always Been The Sequel Trilogy's "Luke Skywalker"

The Two Share A Stunning Amount Of Parallels

From the moment Rey appeared onscreen for the first time in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, it was clear she was meant to be the new "Luke Skywalker" in Disney's Star Wars sequel trilogy. This has to do with the many parallels between the two in The Force Awakens and A New Hope respectively, particularly with both of them beginning their journeys as 19-year-olds from desert planets. The two of them also both tragically lose their parents or parental figures, making them even more motivated to help the cause they're drawn into - which helps them tap into their Force potential.

These parallels continued throughout the sequel trilogy, to the extent of Rey facing Emperor Palpatine in the final battle of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, similarly to how Luke confronted the emperor in Return of the Jedi. Both of them struggled through a pull to the dark side, having to come to with the darker lineage they were tied to. Rey was the Jedi hero throughout these movies just as Luke was, and that set her up to become his replacement in these newer movies. As she seeks to reestablish the Jedi Order, this becomes even more evident.

Rey Is Now Star Wars' Most Marketable Character

She Has Lots Of Future Storytelling Potential

Where the two are different, however, is in of marketability. There's no doubt now, as the living hero of the sequel trilogy, that Rey is the most marketable modern Star Wars character, particularly when it comes to the future of Star Wars in the movie theater. Whereas Luke met his fate in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and thus has an end to his story, Rey has so many more tales to tell, which opens up a plethora of avenues for her. Of course, there is a factor that goes beyond this.

While there's no denying that Luke is one of Star Wars' best characters, and one of the franchise's most beloved, there is still another character from the original trilogy that is sought after much more in new projects: Darth Vader. The iconic villain has become perhaps the most recognizable figure from Star Wars, and despite him meeting his fate in Return of the Jedi, his story was still heavily desired. That is how the prequel trilogy was born, in addition to Star Wars: The Clone Wars and other projects surrounding Anakin Skywalker. Rey is approaching a similar status.

Rey's Star Wars Future Proves She's Darth Vader's Replacement

She Will Appear In Various Projects

Audiences never fail to want more and more of Darth Vader with each new Star Wars project. As evidenced by viewers' reactions to Vader's appearances in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and even Ahsoka, Vader is a timeless character whose storytelling potential continues to grow, and is continuously sought after. This is the point at which Rey herself is reaching in both modern and future Star Wars movies; she will become the one that people want to see the most in new era stories, as her story has loads of potential to pluck from.

What's even more thrilling about this is that it's finally a light side aligned character who is going to achieve this same status. It seems as if the Jedi's story, as heroic as they are, often end in tragedy, as if Obi-Wan Kenobi's sacrificial death in A New Hope set a permanent precedent for it. Rey, however, is a beacon of hope and light that can usher in a brand-new era, where the Jedi still face trials and tribulations but can also prove their strength time and time again. This would be quite different to Vader's own appeal.

Rey Has Changed Star Wars For The Better

Anything Is Possible Now Because Of Her

All in all, what Rey has accomplished for Star Wars has transformed the franchise for the better. It would be difficult to imagine a hero like Rey leading the charge for a franchise like Star Wars at the time of its inception, with only Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia Organa serving as a notable heroine from the galaxy far, far away. Now, it's a female Jedi who gets to usher in this brand-new era, and that is absolutely remarkable - and a step in the right direction for everyone. The importance of this is proven by how audiences already interact with Rey.

One of the most notable ways to see this exemplified is at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, the Star Wars-themed land at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Rey is often approached excitedly by people both young and old, and she remains one of the most sought-out characters in that land. Even Ridley herself was able to pinpoint the impact of this character by meeting Rey at Disneyland and bearing witness to how people reacted to her presence. As Star Wars turns towards its cinematic future, then, it couldn't be safer in Rey's hands.