Daisy Ridley Assures ‘Rey’ Star Wars Film Worth Extended Wait

Daisy Ridley voices confidence in the forthcoming ‘Rey’ Star Wars film despite prolonged development. The actress reprises her role as the scavenger-turned-Jedi roughly 15 years after ‘The Rise of Skywalker’. Set to rebuild the Jedi Order, the project draws from scripts Ridley reviewed five years prior. Her endorsement highlights involvement from top-tier creatives amid Lucasfilm’s crowded slate.

Ridley shared her perspective during a December 9 interview with IGN, reacting to broader franchise buzz. She stated, “I know that incredible voices and creatives are part of it, and I know the wait will be worth it.” The comment follows her recent work in ‘Young Woman and the Sea’, a Disney+ biopic on swimmer Gertrude Ederle that streamed in May. Ridley noted surprise at Adam Driver’s announced ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’ project, nixed by Disney CEO Bob Iger, calling fan campaigns to revive it “wonderful” displays of “collective positivity.”

Lucasfilm’s pipeline includes Jon Favreau’s ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ film slated for May 2026 theatrical release. Shawn Levy directs ‘Starfighter’ for May 2027, focusing on X-wing pilots in the post-Empire era. ‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 advances in post-production without a firm date, featuring live-action Thrawn pursuits. Ridley expressed hearing “rumblings” about Driver’s Kylo Ren prequel through crew contacts, underscoring interconnected development secrecy.

The ‘Rey’ film, announced in 2023, lacks a director since Steven Knight’s script handover. Kathleen Kennedy confirmed Ridley’s lead return at Star Wars Celebration that year. Production targets a 2026 window, aligning with Disney’s $1.5 billion annual franchise investment. Ridley balances commitments, including ‘Magpie’ opposite Shazad Latif, a psychological thriller from Tom Bateman debuting at Sundance in January.

Ridley’s tenure as Rey spanned three films grossing $4.4 billion worldwide from 2015 to 2019. ‘The Force Awakens’ alone earned $2.06 billion, launching the sequel trilogy. Post-trilogy, she pursued indies like ‘The Marsh King’s Daughter’ in 2023, opposite Ben Mendelsohn. Her return signals Lucasfilm’s sequel era closure, emphasizing legacy characters over new introductions.

Fan discourse intensified after Driver’s November revelation of the shelved Ben Solo origin, prompting aerial banners over Disney lots demanding its greenlight. Ridley praised the fervor, stating, “I do love when there is a collective of positivity” in tough industry times. The campaign amassed 150,000 signatures on Change.org within days. Lucasfilm prioritizes theatrical viability, with ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ budgeted at $180 million.

Ridley’s preparation involves re-engaging with Jedi lore, consulting original trilogy artifacts at Skywalker Ranch. The script evolves themes of mentorship and reconstruction, per Kennedy’s 2024 D23 Expo remarks. Co-stars remain unannounced, though rumors swirl around Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron cameo. Disney plans IMAX formatting for enhanced lightsaber sequences spanning 20 minutes.

As awards season ramps, Ridley’s ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ garners 85 percent Rotten Tomatoes approval for its 110-minute runtime. The biopic details Ederle’s 1926 English Channel crossing, shot in Croatia over 45 days. Ridley swam 10 miles daily for authenticity, shedding 10 pounds. Her ‘Rey’ pivot contrasts action spectacle with dramatic intimacy.

Lucasfilm’s strategy counters 2025’s 12 percent domestic box office dip to $8.2 billion, per Comscore data. ‘Rey’ aims for $1 billion opening weekend, rivaling ‘Avengers: Endgame’ precedents. Ridley’s endorsement quells speculation of delays, affirming creative momentum. The film positions as a trilogy capstone, potentially spawning spin-offs by 2030.

Ridley’s career trajectory post-Star Wars includes voicing Cottonmouth in ‘The Bad Guys 2’, an animated sequel releasing March 2026 via DreamWorks. She executive produces ‘The Inventor’, a Netflix animation on Leonardo da Vinci with Stephen Fry voicing the lead. These ventures underscore her versatility, blending blockbusters with arthouse pursuits. Her ‘Rey’ commitment extends through potential sequels, locking a seven-figure deal with backend points.