Star Wars New Jedi Order – Daisy Ridley: “I wasn't forced to come back”

A few days ago, Daisy Ridley left the Deauville festival with the “New Hollywood” prize. A perfect opportunity to spend a few minutes with her and ask her about the stars.

May 20, 2026, Star Wars will return to the cinema with Star Wars: New Jedi Orderdirected by Pakistani Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (whose work was notably seen in season 1 of Miss Marvel). Daisy Ridley will reprise the role of Rey, which she played in episodes 7, 8 and 9 of the saga. The story – about which we know little – will take place approximately 15 years after The Rise of Skywalkerand Rey will reform the Jedi Order. During her visit to the Deauville festival, we met the actress, who told us more about her big return to the franchise.

Your return in Star Wars will be very different from when you arrive: by the time Episode 7 was released, the franchise had been dormant in theaters for decades. While New Jedi Order will land in a world where Star Wars is absolutely everywhere…
My thoughts on the subject are quite simple: if I didn't think the story was worth telling, I wouldn't have come back.

But you had the choice to refuse?
Yes of course.

There is no contract that would force you to come back?
No, I was simply asked if I wanted to do it, based on an idea, without the script being written yet. But if I hadn't been convinced by the concept, the film wouldn't have seen the light of day. I took a day to think about it and I said to myself that I had a great time on these films. This new adventure seemed fun to me, why say no? Also, it was a strange coincidence that two people told me in the same week that they would love to know what Rey was doing now. I had no idea that there was interest! People really like Rey. I think this new film will be exciting and will advance the franchise in an interesting way.

You yourself had never wondered what happened to Rey, what could have happened to her afterwards. The Rise of Skywalker ?
I didn't care until I was asked. I felt like the story had wrapped up really nicely. So Rey's return had to be worthwhile, and I think it is. I'm also in a very different position: I was 21 when I did the first one, I'm 32 now, so I have a lot more experience on set. It's very exciting to imagine how my current life will affect the character.

Do you think it will be easier than it was back then to handle the attention that such a role can generate?
What was overwhelming for me was that on the day of the premiere of Star Wars 7people didn't think Rey would be an important character. I remember my mother saying to me, ” They must have thought you were good, because they spent a lot of money on this movie. A lot! » (Laughs.) It's very strange to go from photos on the red carpet, to watching the movie, and then just going to the bathroom and having people say, ” Oh my God, it's you! » Suddenly, I was recognized in public life, outside of my work. It's not necessarily easy to digest. And then I had never traveled. There, I found myself all over the world and I had unusual interactions with people. For example, I didn't know what a press junket [succession d’interviews qui dure des heures, et se déroule généralement dans un hôtel]. I was discovering everything! And then time passes and things calm down. I have some perspective on all this now, I know how it works. So it will definitely be easier to manage.

The way some fans received Rey was very violent. Did you feel it?
No, no, no. I know some people have expressed themselves negatively, but I don't pay attention to it. Because it doesn't really concern me: I can't change the way some men see women. That's unfortunately how society works. And then overall, I've been very well received. I've chosen to focus on the positive.