In a recent appearance on the ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast, Daisy Ridley, known for her role as Rey in the Star Wars trilogy, opened up about the backlash to ‘The Rise of Skywalker.’
As she promotes her new indie film, ‘Sometimes I Think About Dying,’ Ridley shared her thoughts on the reactions from the Star Wars community toward the movie. Admitting that the negative response to ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ remains a sore spot, she explained:
“It’s still upsetting. You don’t want people to feel like you’ve not served the thing they’re a fan of. But [‘The Last Jedi’] was so divisive… it felt like the first one everyone was responsive in the same way. The second, super divisive. The last one, super divisive. It didn’t change how I felt about it.”
You can watch the full interview below.
Why Star Wars Fans Didn’t Approve ‘The Rise Of Skywalker’?
Directed by J.J. Abrams, ‘The Rise of Skywalker‘ was the concluding chapter of the nine-part Skywalker saga. Despite mixed reviews and a 51% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film grossed over $1.077 billion worldwide.
A key point of contention among fans was the revelation of Rey’s lineage as the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine. Ridley recalled discussing this aspect with J.J. Abrams, noting the thematic exploration of heroism beyond one’s bloodline.
Another controversial moment in the film was the kiss shared between Rey and Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver. Ridley described this as a farewell moment, rather than a romantic culmination of their relationship. Abrams previously revealed his own view on this matter, saying the spiritual connection between the characters is beyond a romantic narrative.
What’s Next For the Star Wars Universe?
Looking ahead, Ridley is set to return as Rey in an upcoming Star Wars film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. The project promises to explore Rey’s journey in rebuilding the Jedi Order. In a recent interview with Variety, Ridley praised Obaid-Chinoy’s vision for the character, saying:
“I’m excited to do the job, but not because Sharmeen is a woman. Her documentaries are amazing. Her idea for the story is cool as shit. No spoilers, but she gave me a rundown of the entire story. If it weren’t amazing, I would have been like, ‘OK, call me in five years.’ But it’s worthwhile.”
Ridley also has other upcoming projects, including ‘Magpie,’ ‘Star Wars: New Jedi Order,’ and ‘Women in the Castle.’
