Daisy Ridley Set to Read New Jedi Order Script “Next Month”, Knows Story Beats; Full Empire Magazine Interview
Daisy Ridley has revealed that she is expecting to read the script to the forthcoming movie in the New Jedi Order era “next month” (that is, relative to whenever the interview with her saying this was held).
In the latest issue of Empire Magazine (which we partially covered here), Daisy Ridley has talked about her recent films, the indie dramedy Sometimes I Think About Dying and the Disney film Young Woman and the Sea. The conversation, naturally, turned to her breakout role as Rey (later Rey Skywalker) in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
Ridley began with a recollection of her experience in skyrocketing in terms of fame after having signed on as the new lead of one of the biggest film franchises of all time:
“There was a lot of love and protection. I can’t really remember that well – it was ten years ago. There was a lot of support given, but nothing can really prepare you for what you’re going to go through on an individual level. I think when everything actually happened, I stayed at home and sort of was like, ‘Okay!’ There’s a craziness, and then everything goes away again, which is great.
For all the people going, ‘Your life is going to change,’ it did in some ways, and then you just go to your mum’s house and you’re like, ‘Okay, this is nice.’ Having such a solid foundation was the absolute best thing for me. Obviously, on a professional scale, things changed, and [in terms of ] anonymity, things change, but only actually really briefly. There were a lot of changes, but also many things stayed the same.”
While the sequel trilogy experience is in her rearview mirror, Daisy Ridley explained that she is anticipating her return as Rey Skywalker in the untitled New Jedi Order era movie with a new perspective, though she initially took a bit of time before going all-in on the film:
“It wasn’t a difficult decision. I didn’t say yes right away, Kathy [Kennedy, Lucasfilm president] was like, ‘Take as long as you need.’ It was actually really funny, on the way there [to meet Kennedy], I was on the phone to my best friend and he goes, ‘Oh my God, Dais, imagine if they’re doing a Rey TV show.’ And I was like, ‘Nah, we’re literally just going for breakfast.’
And then I called him and I was like, ‘You will never guess what.’ Why wouldn’t I [do it]? Yes, they have been divisive, 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 – like, 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.”
She also added that, at the time of the interview, she expected to read a first draft of the upcoming movie’s script a month after whenever this interview was recorded:
“I know the story beats, but other than that, I’m not sure what it’s going to be. But I’m reading a script next month.”
When asked about revisiting the character of Rey Skywalker on her own terms, Daisy Ridley stated that she has a greater sense of ownership of her work and maturity than she did when she first signed on, and that she is grateful both to revisit the role and to explore new avenues as an actress after her boost in fame:
“Coming in a bit more eyes wide open, I suppose I feel more like I’m owning it. I suppose I owned it the first time. Basically, I’m an adult now. 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. There’s just a lot of joy with me and these films. Honestly, if I wasn’t excited, I wouldn’t have done it.
It feels like a great thing to be part of… I suppose the truth is, [Star Wars] will always be the first thing that is connected to me in my career. It’s something I’m aware of, but it’s also not something I feel is a difficulty. I feel very privileged to have done that role, and obviously will continue to. In the business way of things, I’m then lucky to have been able to go and do other stuff because of those films. So I don’t take any of that for granted. I want to be a working actor: that’s my thing. And I’m doing it and it’s pretty f***ing great.”
The full interview can be read in this month’s issue of Empire Magazine. As it stands, the New Jedi Order movie with Daisy Ridley is among the list of upcoming Star Wars films that are in active development, including The Mandalorian & Grogu (releasing May 22, 2026), the Dawn of the Jedi movie from director James Mangold and Andor writer Beau Willimon, and an untitled event film serving as the culmination of the story arc started in The Mandalorian and similar shows written and directed by Dave Filoni, along with others. The Ridley-starring film is set to be directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and written by Steven Knight.
Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.
