This key moment fromStar Wars: The Force Awakenssuggests thatStar Warsmay have subtly introduced time travel 10 years ago.Star Warsmovies and TV showshave gotten increasingly creative over the years, frequently introducing brand-newForce powers, planets, and concepts. The sequel trilogy was especially inventive, bringing about never-before-seen concepts in the franchise, such asthe Force Dyadbetween Kylo Ren and Rey.
While the innovations of the sequel trilogy may have proven controversial, as reception of the sequels remains mixed at best, several ideas from the sequel movies have been developed much more fully in the years since.One such concept may very well be the existence of time travel in theStar Warsgalaxy. This scene inThe Force Awakenssuggests Rey Skywalker herself may have traveled through time, and, now,Star Warsseems to be building upon this possibility.
One Kylo Ren Scene Hints He Met Rey Out Of Sequence
There May Have Been More Meaning Behind Kylo Ren’s “What Girl?”
InThe Force Awakens, one poor officer has to report to Kylo Ren that the droid containing the map to Luke Skywalker (BB-8) has continued to get away from the First Order and has been spotted with the traitorous stormtrooper FN-2187 and"a girl.“Unsurprisingly, Kylo Ren throws one of his classic tantrums, slashing up the space around him in a rage. What is most interesting about this moment is the fact thatthe mention of a girl is what pushes Kylo Ren over the edge, leading him to Force choke the officer and demand,“What girl?”
While Kylo Ren’s rage was nothing new, even that early on in the sequels, his response to hearing a girl was with the droid was odd. He seemed particularly concerned with that detail, beyond simply being irritated that there was now another person in the mix who was keeping the droid away from him. In fact, Kylo Ren’s response to this information may suggest he already knew something about this girl.
Kylo Ren’s response to this information may suggest he already knew something about this girl.
Rey’s “Forceback” Scene Could Explain Kylo Ren’s Reaction
Kylo Ren May Have Long Worried This Girl Was Coming
Yet another crucial scene inThe Force Awakenscomes a bit later, when Rey finds and touches Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber. With what appears to be a brand-new Force power, Rey is sent into a series of scenes that seem to be actual moments from the past, such as her parents' departure and Luke Skywalker watching his Jedi Temple burn.Among these scenes is one in which Rey comes face-to-face with Kylo Ren and the Knights of Ren.
At the time, it wasn’t clear whether Rey was really entering these moments or whether she was just getting glimpses into the past. However,Kylo Ren’s response to the news that a girl was seen with BB-8 suggests Rey may have really traveled back in time during these scenes. This would certainly explain Kylo’s odd response to this information, as he may have been bewildered by Rey’s appearance in the past and held onto the worry that this clearly Force-sensitive girl would appear again one day to oppose him.
Palpatine Himself Knew Of This Power
If this was indeed Rey traveling back in time, this ability could be linked to the Force Dyad. As mentioned, the Force Dyad was a brand-newStar Warsconcept in the sequel trilogy, which wasn’t even fully named untilStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Long before it had a name, though, the extent of the Dyad’s power was evident.
If this was indeed Rey traveling back in time, this ability could be linked to the Force Dyad.
ThroughoutStar Wars: The Last Jediin particular,Kylo Ren and Rey revealed their ability to manipulate space and time, so that they were physically with one another even as they were entire planets apart. At first, they had very little control over this. ByThe Rise of Skywalker, however, they had clearly mastered the ability enough that Rey was able to pass a lightsaber to Kylo Ren/Ben Solo through space on Exegol.
It was actually Palpatine, who was also the one to identify the Force Dyad by that name, who confirmed that this incredible Force connection enabled the two to break the rules of space and time. Presumably, this could extend to Rey’s ability to travel through time. Although that may seem like a stretch,Star Warshas already provided another example of time travel.
Star Wars Has Built On The Concept Of Time Travel Since The Force Awakens
The World Between Worlds Also Played With Time Travel
This potential time travel inThe Force Awakensisn’t the only example ofStar Warstoying with time travel in recent years. InStar Wars RebelsandAhsoka,the World Between Worldsoffered Ezra Bridger and Ahsoka Tano the ability to move through time. Through the World Between Worlds, Ezra was able to save Ahsoka on Malachor and witness Kanan Jarrus' death again (among other things). InAhsoka, Ahsoka Tano was reunited with her former Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker and experienced the Clone Wars again.
It isn’t entirely clear how the World Between Worlds functions given this evident and remarkable power, although Dave Filoni has indicated that he prefers it not be explained too extensively, as some things are better kept mysterious. Even so, this suggests thatStar Warsis more than open to the possibility of time travel in the galaxy far, far away. In light of that, the question remains: will we see time travel again inStar Wars?
Will Time Travel Become Important To Star Wars?
Rey May Still Have This Power In Her Upcoming Movie(s)
Ben Solo sadly died at the end ofThe Rise of Skywalker, which seemingly means an end to the Force Dyad—at least the one between Rey and Kylo Ren/Ben. That doesn’t mean all of Rey’s powers related to the Dyad vanished alongside Ben, though.Rey may very well still have the ability to travel through time, which could be explored in her upcomingStar Warsappearance(s).
At present, Rey’sStar Warsfuture is largely unclear, although all signs point to her return. For quite some time, this seemed all but confirmed to be coming in Rey’sStar Warsmovie, rumored to be titledStar Wars: New Jedi Order. That has since been called into question asStar Wars’upcoming moviescontinue to be reshuffled. This is particularly true in light of Simon Kinberg’s upcomingStar Warstrilogy, which is said to see Rey in an Obi-Wan Kenobi role. It’s unclear what this means for Rey’s movie.
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Nevertheless,Star Warsseems to have every intention of bringing Rey back followingThe Rise of Skywalker. This could mean a newfound exploration of her ability to time travel, if this was indeed what was shown inThe Force Awakens. Although it isn’t yet confirmed whether Rey really was time traveling inStar Wars: The Force Awakens, it will be very interesting to see whatStar Warsdoes with time travel, if anything, moving forward.
