Actress Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey Skywalker, has revealed how the new Jedi story caught her attention and how it will change part of what we know about Star Wars.
Daisy Ridley, best known for her role in the Star Wars Sequel trilogy, gives us a preview of what to expect from the Charmaine Obaid-Chinoy-directed “King Skywalker” movie. This promises to take Lucasfilm’s flagship franchise in a new direction. “Once I understood the story and the approach, I knew it was something I wanted to do,” Ridley said in an interview with Alosine (via Deadline). I think this world is a wonderful quest. A very interesting way to continue the story in a certain direction.
The announcement of a new independent film directed by Obaid-Chinoy with a script by Steven Knight (based on an earlier draft by Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson) soon raised expectations. It was at the Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 that Lucasfilm officially confirmed that Ridley will return to the role, taking place 15 years after the events of 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker”.
The future of Star Wars on the big screen
The Ridley-directed film will be the first Star Wars film to hit theaters since “The Rise of Skywalker.” However, Lucasfilm has delayed this project to advance the feature film “The Mandalorian & Grogu” from the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian” directed by Jon Favreau. It is not yet clear whether this film will replace the planned fourth season of “The Mandalorian”.
Obaid-Chinoy’s “The Rise of Skywalker” sequel is one of three Star Wars films that Lucasfilm is currently prioritizing, of course, outside of what we know of the original saga’s episodic format. The other two are the James Mangold film that chronicles the rise of the Jedi and the Dave Filoni film that serves as the grand finale to “The Mandalorian” and its spin-offs.
Other projects in this fascinating emerging universe include Taka Waititi’s untitled film, Sean Levy’s untitled film, and Donald and Stephen Glover’s Lando Calrissian film (a previously announced series for Disney+). There are also tentative plans for “The Last Jedi” director Rian Johnson to return to the franchise, while Patty Jenkins’ long-delayed “Rogue Squadron” could see the light of day in some form.
Other characters that can have their own movie
Within the vast Star Wars universe, the possibilities for exploring the individual stories of famous and lesser-known characters are endless. One intriguing character who could get her own movie is Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice. Known for her bravery and wit, Ahsoka became a fan favorite after appearing in the animated series. Their story moves between light and dark, and offers a unique perspective that explores the diversity of the Force beyond the traditional Jedi-Sit duality.
Another character who could headline the movie is Maz Kanata. Introduced in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” this cunning merchant and smuggler, with a history spanning more than a thousand years, has many stories to tell. His relationship with the Force and his relationship with the main characters in different eras can provide a rich and immersive narrative.
Finally, the enigmatic figure of Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Jedi master, deserves further exploration. His unorthodox philosophy and early connection to the mysteries of the Force make him an ideal character for a story that explores the origins and evolution of the Jedi. Exploring these characters not only expands the universe, but also enriches the mythology and appeals to fans old and new.