Originally published July 2, 2019. Updated July 3, 2019.
Daisy Ridley, who stars as Rey in the upcoming Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, says that she wasn’t surprised by the online backlash to Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi received universal acclaim from critics upon release but there was a very loud contingent of fans who were not shy in voicing their dislike of the film online – often in very aggressive ways.
Was star Daisy Ridley shocked by this online response? Apparently not, with the actress explaining to USA Today that she wasn’t surprised to see such a strong reaction from those who care so much about the world of Star Wars:
“I wasn’t surprised, no. It’s just a different thing. Everyone’s going to have an opinion now anyway on the internet, but I also think it’s fair. If people hold something incredibly dear and think they know how it should be and it’s not like that, it’s fair for people to think they were done wrong. It doesn’t mean they were – ultimately, [writer/director] Rian Johnson’s a filmmaker and one person can’t dictate how a film is supposed to be – but freedom of expression, sure.”
SEE ALSO: Daisy Ridley says Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is “a brilliant end to the story”
That certainly seems like a sensible attitude to take. We will see how critics, audiences, and social media users respond to Episode IX when it comes out this December.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is set for release on December 20th 2019 with J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) directing a cast that includes Star Wars veterans Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix), Greg Grunberg (Snap Wexley), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) and Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa) as well as new additions Naomi Ackie (Lady Mabeth), Richard E. Grant (Logan), Dominic Monaghan (Lost), and Keri Russell (The Americans).
