Does Reylo need to happen? An answer for ‘No’
By Julie Gray
As the topic of Reylo is discussed in a two-part series, we look at the reasons it should not happen in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
The second side of the Reylo argument is, of course, that Reylo doesn’t need to happen in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. I want to use this article to address some of the feedback I’ve received from fans on both sides, reinforcing the reasons why this topic is so controversial amongst the fandom.
**PLEASE NOTE** There are links to spoilers and leaks for The Rise of Skywalker in this article.
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I want to state again that my reasons for choosing this topic have nothing to do with my own opinion. I am very much ‘sitting on the fence’ regarding Reylo, I neither dislike nor support it. But many fans are quite clear on where they stand on the topic and why.
Last week I addressed the argument for pro-Reylo — that there could be a place for the romance between Kylo Ren and Rey to play a part in the final movie. This week I’d like to discuss the reasons behind why Reylo shouldn’t happen.
To do this, I’d like to start with spoilers and leaks, namely those on Reddit, where fans spend countless hours going over the leaks for The Rise of Skywalker from various sources.
I’ve spent some time going through these leaks and not one of them hints at a romance between Kylo Ren and Rey. In fact, a vast majority of the Reylo fans were upset over the lastest leaks simply because they present the scenario that Reylo isn’t and never will be a thing. Does Reylo need to be part of this story?
Surely Kylo Ren and Rey can be two opposites of the same coin, the dark and the light without having a romantic bond? And many fans say yes, namely the “antis” who are opposed to the romance. Kylo Ren and Rey can be nothing more than two people on the opposing sides of an intergalactic war.
There is a lot of literature out there that hints at something more than just a force bond between Kylo Ren and Rey. Even cast members such as Mark Hamill have openly alluded to the possibility of something more between the two characters, so it’s understandable why fans would use these references. However, they’re not proof of anything concrete at all.
There doesn’t seem to be a good enough reason to suggest that Reylo needs to happen or should happen in the final film. It won’t help move the plot along or bring anything substantial to the story that isn’t already there. There is nothing left to say other than with Reylo; the final film would take a drastically different turn to the leaks in spoiler posts on Reddit.
Does that mean it will be better without it? No, just different and more in alignment with the direction of the final film in the saga.
Next. Does Reylo need to happen? An answer for ‘yes’. dark
If you’re interested in explorting more about Reylo, check out the Dork Side of the Force podcast on the topic.