Last year, it was announced thatDaisy Ridleywould be returning to a galaxy far, far awaywhen she emerged on stage atStar WarsCelebration, as part ofa new film that will be set more than a decade after the events ofThe Rise of Skywalker. But while Ridley is excited to be reprising her role as Rey, she’s also been taking the time to reflect on the legacy of the character and what she means to a generation of young girls and boys.
Collider’sMaggie Lovittrecently sat down with the Brit to discuss Ridley’s upcoming roles in the upcoming filmsSometimes I Think About DyingandMagpie, but took the chance to quiz the star onStar Wars, telling her about the experience she had witnessed at2022’sStar WarsCelebration. Lovitt had taken part in a panel in Anaheim — alongsideArezou Amin, Laura Kelly, Lacey Gilleran, andMollie Damon— anchored around how Rey defined an entire generation ofStar Warsfor female fans. Lovitt asked Ridley how it felt to bring to life a character that resonates so much with so many people.
“I think it’s really interesting because I always felt just part of something. I never thought too much about my place in the thing. I just felt about the thing. It still surprises me when people are kind about her particularly, because of course people loveStar Wars, but I’m always like, “Oh, thanks.” It’s still so thrilling. I think I love her as a character and I loved the characters around her and I love the people in it. It feels quite wonderful. I think if I thought about it too much my head would explode because it’s so not overwhelming in a bad way, but like, wow overwhelming.”
Daisy Ridley Loves How the ‘Star Wars’ Fandom Makes Her Feel
Ridley recalls the overwhelming emotions felt duringStar WarsCelebrationevents, particularly when her return was announced, a testament to the bond shared within the Star Wars community. “It’s a room full of love and joy,” she explained, noting the stark contrast between public perceptions and the actual fan experiences. “It’s like if you are actually in a room with other Star Wars fans, there’s so much joy between everyone. It’s just not what it’s sometimes made out to be.”
Ridley continued, explaining that her management had accompanied her to Celebration for the reveal ofRey’s next adventureand admitted the feeling had left her feeling bowled over after the reception she had received, adding that while sometimes fandom could get a bad rap, it was a wonderful reminder of the joyStar Warscould bring to people’s lives — including her own.
“When we did the announcement last year, it was really, my agent flew over and honestly, I came off and we were all really emotional. Of course, I always feel lucky to be part of it, but it was like a reminder I suppose of, sorry I’m just gabbling, but I suppose a reminder of how people do feel about Rey. I was like, “It’s wonderful.” It’s wonderful to be part of something that people love and to play a character that people… It’s so weird. It’s really making me emotional thinking about it. I get to have more adventures. I’m like, “Where is she now? What is this new adventure and how are things going to go?” That’s a long way of saying it’s great. It’s really great.”
One other key element of Ridley’s return to the franchise is how swiftly it happened. The stars of the original trilogy,Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, andHarrison Fordsat out for over 30 years before returning forThe Force Awakens. Even the likes ofEwan McGregorandHayden Christensenwaited for nearly two decades, with their returns inObi-Wan Kenobicoming 17 years after their last appearance inRevenge of the Sith. Ridley, by comparison,last appeared inStar Warsjust over four years ago,and while she expected that one day she may be asked to return, the swiftness of that did bowl her over—in a truly gratifying sense.
“It’s strange because Ididn’tthink it would be so soon, and then I feel like it was 11 years ago that I was cast, and I’m like, “But aren’t I 60?” Time is going too fast! But it’s wonderful,” she beamed. “I feel like all of the roles I’ve been able to do feel so different and so wonderful, but they all feel great. Each thing I’ve done is like, “That was just wonderful.”
Ridley added that the time that has passed since her tenure onStar Warshas given her a greater perspective and will add to the pleasure she takes when returning to the fold. FellowStar WarsalumMads Mikkelsenonce stated the importance of each job as and when it comes along,and it’s that mentalityRidley will carry forward with her until she’s Rey again. A newer, older and wiser Ridley will share that expanded worldview with her New Jedi Order.
“Actually, one of the things, and this is beside the point of that, but it’s one of my favorite things that I think about, Mads Mikkelsen did this interview, and I literally have a screenshot in my phone, he said, “Each one of my jobs is the most important. It might not be the best, but it’s the most important.” Each job I’m like, “I want this to feel like the most important thing I’ve ever done.” Meeting everything with that openness and willingness to try, as you say, to try a new thing. It’s strange because I’m playing a character I’ve played before, but it’s going to be trying something new. A lot has changed for me in the past few years from that time.”
Daisy Ridley’sStar Warsfilm, directed bySharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, is currently in development. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
