DESTINED TO BE REY
Star Wars actress Ridley proud to be fighting the good fight
PASADENA, CALIF. Just as elements of destiny have circled her character Rey in Lucasfilm’s rebooted Star Wars trilogy, actress Daisy Ridley — the heroine in three films — says she has always felt she was fated to play the scavenger-turned-rising-jedi.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker finds Rey and her friends Poe (Oscar Isaac), Finn (John Boyega) and the rest of the Resistance in a final battle against the First Order, led by the villainous Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the resurgent Emperor Palpatine (Ian Mcdiarmid).
Ridley spoke about her role.
Q Where do we find Rey in Rise of Skywalker? The film takes place a year after the events of The Last Jedi, so what’s that been like for her?
A It’s funny because you meet Rey in a similar-ish emotional state, because she’s still searching for answers. Training-wise, though, she’s come a long way. But there are answers that she’s seeking. There’s lots of deep emotional things she’s wrestling with and of course lots of fun stuff that we get to do, me, John and Oscar. You’re really meeting three friends a year in, so it’s sparky and argumentative and fun. But all that messy fun is juxtaposed with her still sort of longing to figure out her place in all of it.
Q Emperor Palpatine was the main antagonist for the first two trilogies. What did you think of the decision to bring him back for this final film?
A We needed the biggest baddie in Star Wars history to wrap up the saga. It’s explained why he’s there and how he’s there. He’s an important part of the film.
Initially, I had reservations about him being back in the same way some of the audience might be feeling. But after we did it, you realize there’s just no way it could have worked otherwise.
Q How did you react when you read that last page of the script?
A Star Wars has always been about hope and, I’m stealing someone else’s words, but (in this film) all these characters are in such dire straits. Still, you’re comforted because, “It’s Star Wars, so it’ll be OK.” I think in this one people are pushed beyond, “It’s going to be OK.” You’re really thinking, “Oh my God, is everything actually going to be OK?” But there’s such an emotional resolution at the conclusion to this film — and to all nine. I really think it’s satisfying.
Q You have some scenes with the late Carrie Fisher, who returns as Leia. What was that like?
A It’s really weird ... They wrote scenes around Carrie’s performance, then I shot my stuff with similar lighting against a blue screen and afterward they cut them in together and somehow we’re there together onscreen. There are no effects. It’s Carrie’s performance, which is great. It’s a very emotional story and Leia is a really big part of that arc.
The fact that there was so much footage of her that really works from The Force Awakens and they were able to do it is nuts. But I think people are going to be thrilled because it’s Carrie onscreen. Leia is there and she’s doing her thing. Q What was the last scene that you filmed like?
A That was sad ... I was just crying. I was just so sad because other people had wrapped and, so I was already upset. But it worked because I had to be upset in the scene. When you watch it … those are real tears that are coming. That is some real sadness.
Q What’s your favourite Star Wars scene?
A Well, the one that comes to mind is Harrison (Ford) and Adam from Force Awakens. I remember at the première how my heart was pounding because I knew what was coming between them. I think a lot of other people in the crowd felt it, too. It was just such a heart-wrenching scene between the two of them.
Q How about a character? Who do you like best?
A Well, you know what? We’re selling this film so I’ll say Rey. I think, in this very divisive time, you see individuals who aren’t doing things alone, but are part of smaller groups that are f---ing rising up against oppressive forces in a really big, great way. Yes it’s a film, but we need to see that because it’s a scary f---ing time. So to play someone who’s part of fighting the good fight? I’m into that in a big way.
Q After 2005’s Episode III — Revenge of the Sith, I think most Star Wars fans thought the franchise was done. Are you really finished with Rey after The Rise of Skywalker?
A I think it would just have to be something so extraordinary. The stuff I’ve been able to do in this film, I just don’t know how that would be topped. I don’t think someone could come to me and say, “This is better than what you got to do in The Rise of Skywalker.” It would be so shocking. But ... John made the good point that if a new trilogy came out with a new trio, I would be very jealous. (Then) I might be like, “You know what Disney, I will take your call. Let’s talk. I want to be part of this.” Realistically, though, I don’t know. I think it will make more sense when the film comes out. For me personally, it’s not often that you get to do something that’s physically nuts and just so emotional ... And I just got to do so much in this one that I don’t think anything could top it for this character.
Q Why do you think Star Wars has endured all these years?
A There’s always been something for everyone ... if you want to go see a high-octane action-adventure, it satisfies. But also, if you want to see a super emotional story, it delivers there, too. The whole thing is really about good and evil ... and sometimes fighting to the death.