Credit: Inside the MagicStar Wars actress Daisy Ridley has confirmed her openness to starring in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Star Wars fandom is endlessly passionate, which means that new projects are often met with fairly split responses. This was especially true with the sequel trilogy, which saw the likes of Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), and Harrison Ford (Han Solo) return alongside a new, younger cast to wrap up the Skywalker Saga.
While some fans embraced Disney’s vision for the next generation of Star Wars characters, others were critical of the creative choices made to conclude the stories of the franchise’s most iconic figures.
In particular, the way Luke Skywalker’s arc was handled proved highly divisive, with many fans expressing disappointment over his decision to isolate himself and seemingly surrender following his nephew, Kylo Ren’s (Adam Driver), fall to the Dark Side.
As is common with legacy franchises, the new stars often bore the brunt of criticism from disappointed fans. Daisy Ridley, who portrayed Rey – a young orphan from Jakku with a strong connection to the Force, just like Luke before her – faced particularly harsh backlash online. Many fans also expressed discontent with the fact that a young female actor was now at the forefront of the franchise.
Where’s Rey’s Solo Movie?
For a while, it seemed like Ridley had bowed out of the franchise in the wake of the especially fierce response to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
However, back in 2023, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy surprised everyone by bringing the actress out onto the stage at the Star Wars Celebration to announce that she would lead her own solo outing that focuses on Rey’s efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order.
Two years later, we’re still waiting for this film to hit production. It’s been hit by multiple setbacks since 2023, cycling through several screenwriters. The latest to join the project is George Nolfi, who replaced Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight after his exit from the movie in 2024.
While Ridley has emphasized that the project is still very much happening (despite rumblings within the fandom that the film will, like a lot of Star Wars projects announced over the years, quietly disappear into the Hollywood abyss), she also recently told ScreenRant that she doesn’t think it’ll be the next project she pursues.
Ridley clarified her comments further to Comic Book Resources, adding, “I have not read the latest script, but I know what’s happening, and I know the story, and I think what feels really good is that George is a phenomenal writer. I think we’re making sure that this story is the best way, this script is the best way to tell the story, and I think it will be worthwhile for everyone watching it, and I am very excited, yeah.”
Is Daisy Ridley Heading to Another Mega-Franchise?
In the meantime, Ridley revealed that she’s extremely open to joining other mega franchises. While promoting her upcoming appearance in Cleaner, she added to Comic Book Resources that she fully plans on saying yes if asked to star as a superhero – whether that’s in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or a DC Studios project.
“Look, I’m open to loads of stuff,” she said. “I work with this amazing second AD called Matthew Sharp, and he texts me cause he’s doing Avengers, and he goes, ‘If they call.’ So I was like, ‘If they call, absolutely.'”
She added: “I then, of course, love Batman, love The Penguin. I’m a fan of so many sorts of films. Yeah, I’m open to everything.”
This isn’t the first time Ridley has been linked to a potential role in the MCU. Many fans have claimed the actress as their chosen actress to portray Jessica Drew, AKA Spider-Woman, opposite Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. With the fans and Ridley on the same side, it’s your move, Kevin Feige.
Would you like to see Daisy Ridley join the MCU?