‘Star Wars’ Lead Daisy Ridley Says Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Idea For Rey Film’s Story Is “Cool As S–t” And “Worthwhile”

Rey (Daisy Ridley) clashes with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Disney
Rey (Daisy Ridley) clashes with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Disney

In yet another attempt to build hype for the upcoming and unwanted-by-audiences franchise entry, Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley has opined that, from what little she actually knows about it, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s plans for her upcoming Rey solo film are “cool as s–t”.

Rey and BB-8 are ambushed on Francesco Francavilla's cover to Star Wars Adventures Vol. 2 #13 (2021), IDW Publishing
Rey and BB-8 are ambushed on Francesco Francavilla’s cover to Star Wars Adventures Vol. 2 #13 (2021), IDW Publishing

RELATED: New ‘Star Wars’ Rumor Claims Rey Film Delayed “Indefinitely” – But Don’t Get Your Hopes Up

Ridley offered this latest vague tease of her upcoming Star Wars return while speaking with Variety’s Rebecca Rubin in promotion of her new film Sometimes I Think About Dying.

Following a discussion of the upcoming rom-dramedy, the actress was eventually pressed by Rubin for her predictions regarding how “the franchise’s first female filmmaker [will] impact the series”, to which she asserted, “The short answer is I don’t know.”

“I’m excited to do the job, but not because Sharmeen is a woman,” she then explained, ostensibly trying to do a bit of damage control on Disney’s behalf. “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.”

Rey (Daisy Ridley) is All The Jedi in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Disney
Rey (Daisy Ridley) is All The Jedi in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Disney

Then pressed as to whether or not it felt “weird to make a Star Wars movie without your co-stars, Adam Driver, John Boyega or Oscar Isaac?”, Ridley revealed in turn, “No, because I don’t know what is what or who is who [in the new movie].”

“So much has happened for me [since the Skywalker saga],” she added. “I feel like a grown-up now. When I first started, I was, like, 20. I was the youngest on set. It took me the first two Star Wars films to feel worthy of being there. Now I’m in my 30s. The whole thing feels quite different. I’ve been able to work with other filmmakers, and hopefully, I’ve got better as a performer.”

Rey readies herself for a fight on Peach Momoko's variant cover to Star Wars Adventures Vol. 1 (2020), IDW Publishing
Rey readies herself for a fight on Peach Momoko’s variant cover to Star Wars Adventures Vol. 1 #32 (2020), IDW Publishing

RELATED: Upcoming Rey Solo Film Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Says “It’s About Time That We Had A Woman Come Forward To Shape The Story” Of Star Wars

Despite the actress knowing near nothing about the actual concrete plot of the film, as noted above, this is not the first time Ridley has used a media appearance to try and inspire some semblance of audience excitement towards the film.

Asked for a tease of Rey’s next adventure during a November 2023 interview given to The Hollywood Reporter’s Brian Davids, the actress declared, “I haven’t read anything, but I know the story. It’s really worth telling, worth exploring, and I think people will be excited.”

Rey (Daisy Ridley) watches on as Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) lifts his X-Wing from the waters of Ahch-To in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Disney
Rey (Daisy Ridley) watches on as Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) lifts his X-Wing from the waters of Ahch-To in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Disney

Likewise, when asked to recall the journey that led to her rejoining the shambling-corpse of a franchise in January 2024 by French entertainment news outlet AlloCiné, Ridley detailed how after being approached with the opportunity by Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, “I thought about it for a little bit, once I knew what the story was and everything, I knew that it was something I wanted to do. I think it’s a really fantastic exploration of the Star Wars world. It’s a really cool way of taking the story on in a different direction.”

[Time Stamp: 02:43]

To this end, as of writing, little is known regarding the plot of Rey’s solo film outside of the fact that it will follow the titular heroine as she works to rebuild the Jedi Order.

Meanwhile, audiences interested in Ridley’s Sometimes I Think About Dying can catch a screening when hits theaters on January 26th.

NEXT: Rumor: Shawn Levy’s Star Wars Movie To Feature Appearance From Rey, Director Being Looked At To Take Over Heroine’s Solo Film If Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Exits

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