Since Daisy Ridley was cast as Rey in the most recent Star Wars trilogy, she’s been working non-stop. The 27-year-old has not only filmed for the famed franchise back-to-back in the matter of five years, but she’s also done Murder on the Orient Express, Peter Rabbit, Ophelia and Chaos Walking. On top of that, she’s also played Rey in video games, animated projects and most recently for Disneyland’s new Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, which she admits was a harrowing extra load. In her words:
That was really hard. We were shooting, and the only time we could do it was like on a shoot day or something. I was really tired. I think it must have been before Christmas. Like I worked a lot of days on that film. I was really tired and it was super technical. I could not for the life of me remember the lines. It was really stressful. But now I’m in a theme park.
Being a Star Wars character isn’t always fun and games! Daisy Ridley was candid about all the hard work it can be to be Rey on MTV’s Happy Sad Confused podcast. It certainly pays off, considering she’s one of the few actors in Hollywood to be immortalized on a theme park ride, but she didn’t get to really enjoy the process since it was on top of finishing up filming for Rise of Skywalker.
Daisy Ridley will be featured on an upcoming ride in Galaxy’s Edge called Rise of the Resistance, which features various characters from the most recent Star Wars trilogy. Rise of the Resistance will reportedly be the longest Disney ride in history, guests will encounter a holographic Rey with BB-8 in the ready room for the attraction, where she will ask guests to join the resistance and be part of an off-planet mission to fight the First Order.
Galaxy’s Edge opened in Disneyland back in May, with its first ride Smuggler’s Run. It’s an interactive attraction that has guests operating the Millenium Falcon with an option of four roles to play. The land also features a cantina, character meet-and-greets (even with Rey) and a new Disneyland special: blue and green milk.
Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Frank Oz, Paul Reubens, Jim Cummings and Kipsang Rotich also join Ridley as actors who have contributed their talents to Galaxy’s Edge. For many of them, including Ridley this year marks their last appearances in Star Wars for the foreseeable future as Rise of Skywalker closes out the 40 year saga.
Also on the podcast, Ridley admitted she contemplated quitting the franchise early on due to how intimidating the role is. Thankfully she didn’t, because her role is a fan-favorite and being in a theme park attraction will probably be a pretty sweet perk for her once she looks back.
Rey (and Daisy Ridley) will return for Rise of Skywalker, which hits theaters on December 20.
