Entertainment Tonight‘s Ash Crossan asked JJ Abrams, “who is the Skywalker [in the title], is Rey the Skywalker, what is going on?” Abrams responded:

“Well, the title feels like it’s the right title for this movie. I know it’s provocative and asks a bunch of questions but when you see the movie you’ll see how it was intended and what it means. But in the flow of titles this title had a very big responsability — it had to be the end of not only three movies, but nine movies. The idea of incorporating the movies that come before strangely is the story of the movie. It’s the characters in the film inherriting everything that’s come before in previous generations, wether it’s the sins of the father or the wisdom that they’ve acquired, and the question is, is this new generation up to the task, can they stand up to what they have to. So in a way, we came to this movie having inherrited a lot, and the question can we do it is a question we ask ourselves everyday .

Ash also asked Abrams if he would be changing Rey’s parentage from what was established in The Last Jedi and Abrams deflected by saying that he can’t wait for people to see the movie to find out what happens. While that’s a great deflection, part of me thinks that if it remained the same Abrams would be reassuring but vague. The fact that he completely deflected indicates to me that Rey’s parentage will evolve some in this final Skywalker saga film.

But on the other hand, he wouldn’t even answer if Porgs would be in the film, which seems like a no brainer since they became inhabitants of the Millenium Falcon in The Last Jedi, so he might just be deflecting any question about what’s actually in the movie and what is not.

In another interview with IGN, Abrams mentions that he sat down and talked with George Lucas before he went and filmed Episode 9. He also reiterates his goal to “that eight films and gives an ending to three trilogies.”

“I want a kid to watch episodes one through nine and see that one story.”

I think this further explains why you would potentially bring back Emperor Palpatine for this film. If Palpatine was the puppetmaster for Snoke and Kylo , then his rise and fall would provide a good villain arc for the entire Skywalker saga.

Here is what actor John Boyega told Anthony Carboni during the StarWars.com live feed interview:

“The Skywalker saga is done. It felt amazing being part of this final fight. For me, after Episode 8, I wanted more clarity. I had so many questions. I am the Star Wars fan, on set, that likes to debate everything. So for me, I just wanted to see more. I wanted to know about these characters. I wanted to see them together. So I was like, c’mon JJ man, I haven’t written a drop yet but I know exactly what the fans want. They want to see everybody together. They want to see the dynamics between Rey and Kylo. They want more explanation of the [jedi] path. So let’s do it! So I’m glad JJ was on the same exact page.”