Daisy Ridley Says Rey’s STAR WARS Return Will Be Worth the Long Wait
It’s been six years since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker closed out Disney’s sequel trilogy, and the future of those characters has remained quiet ever since.
While Lucasfilm has lined up a mix of Star Wars projects, some of which are set in new corners of the galaxy, one of the most anticipated ideas still floating in development is a Rey Skywalker-centered movie.
Progress has been slow, updates have been scarce, and fan patience has been tested. But according to Daisy Ridley, the wait is intentional and very much worth it.
Ridley recently spoke with ComicBook while promoting her new horror film We Bury the Dead, and she acknowledged how much time has passed since she last played Rey. That distance, she says, actually makes the return more compelling.
“I am six years older. I am in a different moment. I think the story will be wonderful. I think the wait will be worthwhile. I think it will be a discovery, as all roles are, of where Rey is when we meet her again.”
That sense of rediscovery seems to be a core part of why Lucasfilm is taking its time. The creative direction of Star Wars has shifted recently, with Dave Filoni now steering the creative aspect of the franchise following Kathleen Kennedy stepping down as Lucasfilm president.
The studio has confirmed several theatrical projects, including The Mandalorian & Grogu and Star Wars: Starfighter arriving in 2027, but beyond those, many projects remain officially “in development” without firm dates.
Rey’s solo film, often referred to by fans as New Jedi Order, is one of the biggest question marks. The project is set to be directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, with multiple writers having cycled through drafts over the years.
At one point, rumors even suggested the movie was on indefinite hold, sparking premature celebration from those eager to see it quietly disappear. Lucasfilm hasn’t confirmed that narrative, and Ridley’s continued enthusiasm suggests the opposite.
Even though Kennedy didn’t mention the Rey project in a recent update on upcoming Star Wars films, Ridley has continued to reinforce that real progress is happening. She previously said:
“There’s always movement, but the movement is at the right pace, because the best things are worth the wait.”
She also offered a grounded look at just how complicated these massive productions can be.
“Honestly, there are scripts that I read five years ago, and now I’ve gone, ‘Oh, maybe they will actually happen. I think over the years, I’ve learned how the reality of getting any film made is so massive.
“The hurdles are vast … But with [New Jedi Order] particularly, I know that incredible voices and creatives are part of it, and I know the wait will be worth it.”
There’s also been growing speculation that Rey may reappear sooner than expected. Rumors have pointed to a possible cameo in Starfighter, with some fans theorizing that Ryan Gosling’s character could cross paths with Rey while transporting a Force-sensitive young character to her emerging Jedi order.
For now, that idea remains in rumor territory, but it’s an exciting possibility that would help bridge the gap while fans wait for her full return.
Until Lucasfilm makes something official, Rey’s next chapter remains just out of reach. Still, Ridley’s confidence, combined with the slow but steady movement behind the scenes, suggests that when the character finally steps back into the galaxy far, far away, it won’t feel rushed or half-baked.