Is the return of Rey Skywalker to the Star Wars universe in jeopardy? It sure looks that way, and it all boils down to Daisy Ridley's increasingly packed schedule. Back at Star Wars Celebration 2023, the announcement that Ridley would reprise her role as Rey in a "New Jedi Order" movie, helmed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, sent shockwaves through the fandom. But here's where it gets controversial... progress on this highly anticipated film has been slower than a Jawa selling scrap metal. In fact, Lucasfilm managed to announce and complete Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian & Grogu movie in the interim, and another project is already underway in the UK.
Rumor has it that the entire future of Star Wars hinges on Rey. Yes, you read that right! Apparently, she's considered the franchise's "most important cinematic asset," and whispers suggest Ridley might even be slated for multiple upcoming films. All eyes are glued to Simon Kinberg’s mysterious trilogy, which Lucasfilm head honcho Kathleen Kennedy has hinted is the cornerstone of their future plans. Some fans are even speculating whether Ridley might make a sneaky cameo in Shawn Levy’s Starfighter, which is currently in production.
But hold on! The prospect of seeing Rey back in action anytime soon just took a hit – a big one – because Ridley has just signed on for another major project.
Daisy Ridley's New Gig: Killer Bee
The last few years have been a whirlwind for Ridley since her Star Wars comeback was announced. She's been juggling a diverse range of projects, and now she's adding another to the list: Killer Bee, directed by Kenton Oxley. This film will tell the incredible true story of Bryony Tyrell, an ICU nurse who transformed herself into a British MMA fighter. In an official statement, Ridley expressed her excitement, saying, "Bryony’s story is one of extraordinary courage and resilience. I was deeply moved by her emotional and empowering journey. I can’t wait to bring her spirit to the screen.”
It's easy to understand why Ridley was drawn to such a compelling real-life tale. And this is the part most people miss... while this is great news for Ridley's career, it throws a wrench into the gears of Rey's return. Production on Killer Bee is slated to begin in Q2 2026 – sometime between April and June. Meanwhile, Lucasfilm seems to be aiming for a consistent output of one Star Wars movie per year, with filming typically kicking off in August. This means there's a high probability that Ridley will be tied up filming Killer Bee precisely when the next Star Wars production is scheduled to begin.
If this scenario plays out, the chances of Rey making a grand return in that as-yet-unnamed Star Wars project seem to have significantly decreased. At best, Ridley might only be able to squeeze in a cameo appearance, and that's about it.
Why the Holdup on Rey's New Jedi Order?
It seems Ridley herself isn't in a mad dash to return to the galaxy far, far away. Remember, the initial announcement of her return was back in 2023, and since then, things have been eerily quiet. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter this past February, Ridley argued that these delays are actually a positive thing.
She explained, “People have talked about it a lot that the release date often affects films and how quickly things go into production…So, the freedom to make sure that this script is the best way to tell this story is wonderful, and I don’t think any fans would want it to be rushed. The wait will be worth it. I know what George [the writer] is working on, and he is a phenomenal writer. So, I’m really looking forward to reading it, and yes, it’s all worthwhile.”
Ridley makes a valid point. Lucasfilm has been accused of rushing previous Star Wars installments, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is often cited as a prime example of a film that could have benefited from more development time, especially after the tragic loss of Carrie Fisher. Ridley understandably wants to avoid a similar situation, hence her insistence that the delays are a good thing.
But there's another factor at play here as well: Lucasfilm simply can't afford to mess this up. If Rey truly is Star Wars' "most important cinematic asset," then there's no room for error. It's absolutely crucial that the studio nails this, ensuring that Rey's New Jedi Order movie – whether it's Obaid-Chinoy's story or Kinberg's – is a guaranteed blockbuster. This would certainly explain why even the studio is happy to patiently wait for the New Jedi Order era to properly materialize.
In the meantime, Ridley gets to enjoy the best of both worlds. She has a secure future in one of the world's biggest franchises, while also pursuing passion projects like Killer Bee. It’s a win-win situation for her, but what about the fans eagerly awaiting Rey's return?
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the delays are justified, or are you frustrated by the lack of progress? Do you believe Rey is truly the key to Star Wars' future? Let us know in the comments below!
