Why Rose Tico needs to be in Rey’s new Jedi Order movie

Following the announcement that Daisy Ridley is returning as Rey in a new movie set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker, fans have debated about which other familiar faces could return.

John Boyega reprising the role of Finn seems particularly likely as long as Boyega is willing to come back. Finn being Force-sensitive and his close relationship with Rey make him a natural fit for a story following Rey building a new Jedi Order 15 years after the sequel trilogy.

Another sequel trilogy-era character who should return is Rose Tico, played by Kelly Marie Tran. Rose played a prominent role when she debuted in The Last Jedi, but her character was mostly sidelined in The Rise of Skywalker.

The new movie can do Rose justice. Even though she is not Force-sensitive, Rose can still help Rey and Finn rebuild the Jedi Order, especially given her history and close connections with them. When she was on Canto Bight in The Last Jedi, Rose demonstrated her ability to help those in need, to show compassion, and to do what is right. These are perfect qualities for someone who is reshaping the galaxy and the Jedi Order for the better.

Another way to bring Rose back is to have her be the main point of view character when exploring what is happening in the galaxy outside of the Jedi. Just as many of the key players in the Rebellion became key players in the New Republic, Rose being an important member of the Resistance could lead to her being an important member of the new government at this point in the timeline.

Along with doing Rose justice, her relationship with Rey needs to be done justice as well. Despite being two of the most important women in the Resistance, Rey and Rose never have a conversation. This is particularly disappointing as there were pictures prior to the release of The Rise of Skywalker that showed both characters sharing a scene together.

Rey and Rose share many of the same values, are close to many of the same people, and yet their relationship was never explored in the movies. Their relationship has been somewhat explored in sequel trilogy-era publishing material, but that does not change what was never shown on the screen.

The Star Wars movies feature many well-developed women, including Leia Organa, Padmé Amidala, Rey, Jyn Erso, Rose, Amilyn Holdo, and Qi’ra. Many of these characters are in different movies. Yet, even the characters in the same movie rarely or never interact with each other.

Bringing Rose back can ensure that she and Rey will not only interact in the new movie, but can make their friendship and their trust in each other an important part of this new chapter for the galaxy. It is important to not only see well-developed women in media, but to also see well-developed relationships between women in media.

Rey returning is a good start. Hopefully Rose, Finn, Poe, and other sequel trilogy characters will also be featured in the new movie in ways that are meaningful and build on their stories from the previous movies.