By James White | Posted 18 Apr 2019

Sometimes it can seem as though the current Star Wars universe is just unfolding in random, odd ways, especially when it comes to certain, much-mused-upon details. Take Rey's (Daisy Ridley) parentage, posed as a mystery in The Force Awakens, then explained away as "nobodies" in The Last Jedi. Now, according to returning director JJ Abrams, there's more to the story in The Rise Of Skywalker.

Not that Abrams is dismissing what Rian Johnson did before with his film, just that there could be an added layer to what Rey (and by extension, the audience), knows. "I will say that we knew going into this that this movie had to be a satisfying conclusion, and we’re well aware that Rey’s parentage is one of the things that’s sort of been out there," Abrams says in a video interview with ABC. "I don’t want to say that what happens in Episode VIII – you know, we’ve honoured that. But I will say there’s more to the story than you’ve seen." Interesting... And all the more teasing for what we'll learn down the line. Just as long as it's not rogue midichlorians.

In the rest of the video interview, Abrams talks about his policy of keeping secrets (and how it worked to great effect with the reveal of Ian McDiarmid's presence in The Rise Of Skywalker) and the codename for the new movie which was "Trixie". So chosen because it sneakily includes the "IX" of Episode IX and because it has nothing to do with Star Wars.

Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise Of Skywalker will be in cinemas on 19 December.

Keep up to date with all the latest movie news, click here to subscribe to Empire on Great Magazines and have the latest issue delivered to your door every month.