Daisy Ridley's Journey in Star Wars: Overcoming Pressure and Finding Redemption
A deep dive into Daisy Ridley's experience as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, the overwhelming pressure she faced, and her upcoming role in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's New Jedi Order movie.
The Unexpected and Overwhelming Start
Daisy Ridley looks back on her initial Star Wars experience, revealing the overwhelming pressure of leading the sequel trilogy as one of her earliest roles. Ridley made her debut in 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens as an orphan left abandoned on the scrap-ridden sands of Jakku who is dragged into conflict through a chance encounter with droid BB-8. While Rey's Force-sensitive heritage would be revealed across the sequel trilogy, Star Wars Celebration 2023 confirmed Ridley would return as Rey in a new theatrical movie.
Rey (Daisy Ridley) surrounded by celebrating Rebels in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
As Ridley prepares to join Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's New Jedi Order movie, the actor looked back on her initial Star Wars experience with Clique as she promoted her upcoming feature Sometimes I Think About Dying. Having never considered leading such a large project before, Ridley was left overwhelmed, admitting that much of the discussion surrounding the film's release proved too much at the time.
"After the screening of the first film, I told myself that I was sh*t and that I was really worthless. I cried my eyes out thinking I was the worst thing that ever happened to Star Wars. I had never seen myself in a leading role, so for me it was something unexpected and very surprising, it overwhelmed me."
The Struggles and Criticisms
There's little doubt that Ridley faced an overwhelming amount of criticism during her initial Star Wars tenure. With Rey assuming the lead role of three highly-anticipated movies, the first of which marked Star Wars' return to the big screen, Ridley's performance earned much praise and attention, but also saw her become the face of the new era. As such, Ridley was unfortunately one of many stars within the sequel trilogy who faced backlash for nonsensical issues, such as people's grievances about how the trilogy unfolded and bigoted arguments against the diverse cast. Eventually, Ridley stepped away from social media.
However, with Obaid-Chinoy's New Jedi Order, there is a chance for Ridley to have a more positive experience. With New Jedi Order, Rey's story is free of the pressures of following up on legacy characters, including the original trilogy's cast, giving her the chance to stand out without attention being detracted from her own personal journey. Furthermore, in addition to the many viewers who grew up alongside the sequel trilogy, potential new fans could find their own generation of Star Wars to grow up with through Rey's students as she begins to rebuild the Jedi Order.
While Ridley's initial Star Wars run was an overwhelming, troubling experience, the star's return to the franchise could hopefully be a much more positive experience. Ridley's return at Celebration 2023 was warmly received, showing how Rey made a positive impact on audiences. As Star Wars prepares to return to theaters, audiences eagerly await news about what Rey's future holds.
A Fresh Chance and Redemption
Daisy Ridley's return to the Star Wars franchise with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's New Jedi Order movie presents a fresh chance for the actor to embrace Rey's journey in a more positive light. Free from the overwhelming pressure and criticisms of the sequel trilogy, Ridley's portrayal of Rey in New Jedi Order offers the opportunity for redemption, both for the character and the actor. As Rey's story continues beyond the legacy characters and the original trilogy's shadow, Ridley can explore a new chapter in the Star Wars universe, providing a hopeful and inspiring narrative for audiences.
As audiences eagerly anticipate Rey's return in the new theatrical movie, the potential for Ridley to shine in a more positive and empowering role is evident. The opportunity to witness Rey's growth as she begins to rebuild the Jedi Order and inspire a new generation of fans offers a fresh perspective on Ridley's journey with the character. With New Jedi Order, Ridley has the chance to redefine Rey's legacy and showcase her talent in a new light, away from the overwhelming criticisms and pressures of the past trilogy, providing a sense of redemption for both the character and the actress.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker are available to stream on Disney+, while Sometimes I Think About Dying releases on January 24.
