Daisy Ridley as Rey inStar Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens(2015).Photo: Lucasfilm/Bad Robot/Walt Disney Studios/Kobal/Shutterstock
Rey is making her return to the galaxy.
On Friday,Daisy Ridleymade a surprise appearance atStar Wars Celebration 2023in London, taking the stage in a red gown alongside Lucasfilm PresidentKathleen Kennedyas the latter announced Ridley, 30, would be leading a newStar Warsfilm.
Obaid-Chinoy, 44, said her movie, the one starring Ridley, “will tell the story of rebuilding the new Jedi order,” according toDeadline.
As for Ridley — who will return as her conflicted scavenger-turned-trained-Jedi character, Rey — she told the audience, “I am very thrilled to be continuing this journey.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
Daisy Ridley at Star Wars Celebration 2023.Jeff Spicer/Jeff Spicer/Getty
Speaking with PEOPLE at the event, Filoni, 48, called Ridley’s return to the space-western franchise “astonishing” and “fantastic.”
“I’m so excited to see her come out on stage and the crowd roaring,” he raved. “Star Warsis generational and she represents that iconic hero character to a generation ofStar Warsfans, and I thought it was really beautiful. I was so happy for her.”
Jon Favreau, who created and executive producedThe MandalorianandThe Book of Boba Fett, told PEOPLE that it is “a thrill” to have the “tremendously talented” Ridley back on board.
“It’s always great to see people returning to theStar Warsworld,” added Favreau, 56.
RELATED VIDEO: Daisy Ridley on Landing a Role inStar WarsAfter Months of Auditions
The news comes after Ridley first debuted as Rey in 2015’sStar Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, ushering in a new generation ofStar Warsfans alongside other fresh faces including John Boyega,Oscar IsaacandAdam Driver.
The trilogy also saw the return of familiar characters — namely,Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker,Carrie Fisher’s Leia Organa andHarrison Ford’s Han Solo — as the original trio helped the new one (Ridley, Boyega, 31, and Isaac, 44) attempt to bring order to both the galaxy and themselves.
Ridley’sStar Warstrilogy wrapped in 2019, followingThe Force Awakens,Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi(2017) andThe Rise of Skywalker.More recently, she has focused on other projects like her latest filmSometimes I Think About Dying, which she promoted earlier this year at theSundance Film Festival.
During the festival, Ridley shared advice for otherStar Warsfranchise actresses, and encouraged them to avoid the dark side of feedback.
“The world is a crazy place,” she toldVariety. “It’s important totune out the stuff.”
Daisy Ridley in 2019.Samir Hussein/WireImage
“Not just withStar Wars, but with everything,” she continued. “You try and be in the moment and enjoy what it is because life moves quickly.”
“Everyone knows how things are and how they can be,” Ridley said about the huge public reaction to appearing in theStar Warsfranchise inthe age of social media. “We’re all living in that, with people saying more than they need to and commenting more than they need to. It’s so individual.”
Her advice: “Find the good in it all and enjoy it.”
source: people.com
