As the Star Wars franchise continues to expand its reach across film, television, and beyond, one of its most beloved characters is set to make a grand return. Actress Daisy Ridley, who first burst onto the scene as the scavenger-turned-Jedi Rey in the Sequel Trilogy, is gearing up to reprise her iconic role in an upcoming Star Wars movie.
In a recent interview with Empire, Ridley reflected on her evolving approach to playing Rey, noting that she’s “coming in a bit more eyes wide open” this time around. The actress acknowledged that her journey with the character has been nothing short of transformative, both personally and professionally.
“I suppose I feel more like I’m owning it. I suppose I owned it the first time,” Ridley explained. “Basically, I’m an adult now. I certainly did not feel like an adult at the time.”
When Ridley was first cast as Rey for 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, she was relatively new to the acting world, with her credits consisting primarily of minor roles in British television and short films. The Sequel Trilogy essentially marked her feature film debut, and at just 22 years old, she admitted to not fully feeling like an “adult” during that initial experience.
However, in the years since, Ridley has gone on to expand her acting resume, taking on diverse roles in films like Murder on the Orient Express, Ophelia, and Chaos Walking. This wealth of experience, coupled with the personal growth she’s undergone, has undoubtedly shaped her approach to reprising the beloved character of Rey.
“Honestly, if I wasn’t excited, I wouldn’t have done it,” Ridley said of her decision to return to the Star Wars galaxy. “It feels like a great thing to be a part of. Why wouldn’t I [do it]? Yes, they have been divisive, but also they bring a lot of love and joy to a lot of people.”
The upcoming Star Wars film, which is being directed by Ms. Marvel’s Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight, will follow Rey 15 years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. While details about the plot and other returning characters remain scarce, Ridley is eager to explore the next chapter of Rey’s journey, even if it wasn’t an immediate “yes” when the opportunity first arose.
“It wasn’t a difficult decision,” the actress admitted, noting that Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy gave her all the time she needed to consider the offer. Ultimately, Ridley’s affection for the franchise and her desire to further develop the character she’s come to embody proved too strong to resist.
“There’s just a lot of joy with me and these films,” Ridley stated. “It feels like a great thing to be a part of.”
As the Star Wars universe continues to expand, fans eagerly await more news and updates on Ridley’s return as Rey. With the actress’ newfound sense of ownership and her “eyes wide open” approach, the next installment in Rey’s saga is poised to be a thrilling and transformative experience for both Ridley and the legions of Star Wars devotees around the world.
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