Daisy Ridley Admits ‘Star Wars’ Has Been “Divisive” To Some Fans But Wants To “Own” It Regardless

Lucasfilm is finally getting back to making “Star Wars” films, tasking director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (“Ms. Marvel”) to continue the Rey Skywalker journey in the tentatively titled “Star Wars: New Jedi Order.” Actress Daisy Ridley will obviously reprise her role from the sequel trilogy, and Empire Magazine recently spoke to the actress, who talked about “owning” the role and generally less trepidatious about the part and the expectations around it.

“I suppose I feel more like I’m owning it. I suppose I owned it the first time. Basically, I’m an adult now,” she told Empire. [“I’m] coming in a bit more eyes wide open. I certainly did not feel like an adult at the time. Obviously, personally, things have changed, and professionally, I’ve had lots of other experiences, and so I definitely feel like it’s a different thing this time.”

Older and wise, Ridley added she wouldn’t have returned to the series if she didn’t believe in the story they were about to tell, “There’s just a lot of joy with me and these films,” she said. “Honestly, if I wasn’t excited, I wouldn’t have done it. It feels like a great thing to be a part of.”

READ MORE: ‘Star Wars’: Beau Willimon To Co-Write James Mangold’s ‘Dawn Of The Jedi’ Movie

Speaking about her decision to return, she echoes recent comments that she hesitated initially and took a minute to think about it. Still, ultimately, “It wasn’t a difficult decision,” she explained. “I didn’t say yes right away, Kathy [Kennedy] was like, ‘Take as long as you need.’” Not that it took that long to say yes. ‘Why wouldn’t I [do it]?’”

“Yes, they have been divisive,” Ridley admitted, about how “Star Wars” fandom has been divided over the recent movies, alluding to some of the toxic fandom around the series, as well. “But also they bring a lot of love and joy to a lot of people. It feels pretty amazing to be able to continue a character. ‘Can I even remember how to play her?’ It’s an interesting challenge as an actor to come back to something and try to figure out what’s changed for me and what’s changed for her.”

Written by “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight, other than Rey and the young Jedi pupils she will seemingly teach in the movie—that’s about the only details that Lucasfilm has given—it’s very unclear if anyone from the latest trilogy will feature alongside Ridley. However, the actress recently told Screen Rant she’d love to see John Boyega’s character Finn become a Jedi, though she stressed those creative choices were not up to her. “That is above my pay grade [laughs]. I would love to see that, but that is not a decision for me,” the actress asked whether fans will see Boyega in the movie.

“Star Wars: New Jedi Order” has a tentative release date of December 18, 2026, from Disney, and if it sticks, more casting from the movie should hopefully be revealed in the upcoming months.