Daisy Ridley Says Rey Was Originally a Kenobi in Rise of Skywalker

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Daisy Ridley says Rey was originally a Kenobi in Rise of Skywalker

We are almost a year removed from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the big finale to Disney’s Star Wars trilogy that was mostly met with negative reactions by fans and critics alike. Even the cast has voiced their displeasure with the film. Case in point: Daisy Ridley, who spoke with Jimmy Kimmel Live! guest host Josh Gad about the problematic production. You can check out the video below!

Naturally, the main talking point was the story behind Rey’s lineage. In the film, Rey turns out to be a Palpaltine and the heir to the Sith lord’s powers. Except, that wasn’t always the case.

“At the beginning, there was toying with an Obi-Wan connection,” Ridley said. “There were different versions, and then it really went to she was ‘no one.’ Then it came to Episode IX and J.J. pitched me the film and was like, ‘Oh yeah, Palpatine’s granddaddy. And I was like, ‘Awesome.’ And then two weeks later he was like, ‘Oh, we’re not sure.’ So, it kept changing. So, then even when I was filming, I wasn’t sure what the answer was gonna be.”

It’s typical for big blockbuster films to shake up their script even during production — just listen to the Mission: Impossible — Fallout commentary between Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie to get a taste of how blockbuster Hollywood works — but one would think Disney would exercise a little more care with one of its most coveted properties. Oh well. There’s always The Mandalorian.

After six months since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker had made its premiere in December, director J.J. Abrams’ epic conclusion to the Skywalker saga has already earned more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office and has recently received three Oscar nominations including Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Editing.

Returning cast members for The Rise of Skywalker include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo and Billie Lourd. Joining the cast are Naomi Ackie (Doctor Who), Richard E. Grant (Logan), Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings), and Keri Russell (The Americans), who will also be joined by veteran Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian. The role of Leia Organa is once again played by Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Daisy Ridley has revealed they toyed with an Obi-Wan connection before making her a Palpatine.

“There were different versions and then it really went to that she was no one – it kept changing.”

(@JimmyKimmelLive) pic.twitter.com/7D2vH0EoC0

— Star Wars Stuff (@starwarstuff) September 9, 2020