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Daisy Ridley Rey
Credit: Disney/LucasFilm

Ridley Will Return to “Star Wars”- But Fans Are Rallying For Another Actor

Posted by: Lana Porter April 8, 2023

The internet exploded yesterday with the announcement that three new Star Wars movies are coming! Most notably, Daisy Ridley will return for at least one of them as Rey. Ridley debuted in the Star Wars universe in 2015 as the main protagonist in The Force Awakens, alongside John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver.

Force Awakens

Lucasfilm

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Audiences haven’t seen Rey since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, after going head to head with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Variety cites Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy‘s announcement at the Star Wars Celebration in London, where she revealed Rey will be working to “build a new Jedi Order.” It will be directed by Obaid-Chinoy – the first woman to direct a “Star Wars” movie and the first person of color!

However, this new trilogy announcement has garnered mixed reactions from Star Wars fans. Most everyone praises Daisy Ridley’s acting chops, but they find fault with the recent Star Wars films, which have let them down.

  1. All I’m asking for is good movies at this point. If they want to continue with Rey in a smart way then I’ll support it.

2. Awesome. I know the sequels were by far the weakest of the three Star Wars trilogies but I’m actually kind of happy that they’re not just straight up ditching the character of Rey. I think there’s still a lot of potential there.

3. Disney could just flush money down the toilet instead.

 

4. Fine actress, bad character. She’d make for a pretty great Lara Croft.

5. I’m fine with it. Daisy is a great actress, she just seriously needs better material to work with cuz 7,8, and 9 were NOT it. I’m cautiously optimistic.

Even though audiences are happy for Ridley, there seems to be a consensus in hoping that John Boyega also returns to the series. Boyega originated the role of Finn, an ex-stormtrooper who teams up with Rey. Many believe he deserved to be a Jedi and that this is the franchise’s chance to make it up to him – if Boyega is even open to returning, that is.

Boyega and other POC actors who appear in the franchise have faced repeated racist harassment since their chapter of the Star Wars universe premiered. Boyega is on record saying that he will not be involved in any more installments, but fans are still holding out hope.

  1. Hey @Lucasfilm… Do The Right Thing. Bring back Finn. Give us the arc you stole from us. Bring back John Boyega.

2. This is really cool but I desperately want them to give John Boyega the story he deserves. If he doesn’t want to come back, I 100% understand and respect that decision but they should at least try. They did him so dirty.

3. No desire to see anybody but Finn with a lightsaber in they hands. I’m cool.

4. Place your bets, will John Boyega return yes or no.

5. I’m glad it’s unanimous that John Boyega was wasted in the sequel trilogy.

Production on Star Wars films over the past few years has been rocky, with projects frequently changing directors or being pulled altogether. With such a critical fanbase, the franchise can’t afford to take things in the wrong direction.

Fans love Daisy Ridley, but will Rey’s return be enough to win back a loyal but scorned audience? With the level of support fans are throwing behind Boyega, Lucasfilm should consider the advantages of Finn’s return to the cast as well.

About Lana Porter

Lana has never lost a Disney Trivia night. Maybe it’s the hundreds of times she’s been to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, her love for Disney’s ’90’s era hand-animated musicals, or the fact that she’s often likened to cartoon characters, but Disney and its magic have a special place in her heart. Her favorite Disney experiences include the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, eating Mickey Bars on the PeopleMover, and crying during the Magic Kingdom fireworks show. One day she hopes to be chosen as the rebel spy on Star Tours. When Lana isn’t Park Hopping, she’s at home reading books of all topics, watching her favs on Disney+, or snuggling her two cats, which she swears are not named after Disney characters. She loves surprising people with her knowledge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe but admits she is still catching up with Star Wars. She is happy to combine her excitement for writing with her love for Disney-style storytelling and share what she can with the world!