The conversation regarding Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will never end. Why would we ever think so? We still talk with reverence about the original trilogy and discuss the prequels’ problems, why would these films be any different? Whatever you think about this latest trilogy, one thing is clear: reaction to The Rise of Skywalker was not good. Fans by-and-large disliked JJ Abrams’ finale, and star Daisy Ridley has addressed the backlash.
Appearing on The DragCast, Ridley chose her words carefully when talking about the negative response to The Rise of Skywalker. She couldn’t help but take a shot at fans, though, saying they just don’t have the same love for Star Wars anymore…
“It’s changed film by film honestly, like 98% it’s so amazing, this last film it was really tricky. January was not that nice. It was weird, I felt like all of this love that we’d sort of been shown the first time around, I was like ‘Where’s the love gone?’ I watched the documentary, the making-of, this week, and it’s so filled with love; and I think it’s that tricky thing of when you’re part of something that is so filled with love and then people…You know, everyone’s entitled to not like something but it feels like it’s changed slightly. I think in general that’s because social media and what have you.”
Ridley’s dismay over the social media reactions was mixed with her genuine appreciation of the work they did. And you can see that in the many featurettes from the set. She was basically an unknown before landing the role of Rey. It only makes sense she’d have strong feelings about her time on Star Wars…
“Trying to scroll through my news feed in January and trying not to see Star Wars stuff, I’d see headlines and be like ‘Oh my god this is so upsetting.’ It’s been tricky but then it’s having that thing of I feel really proud of it, and I’m so thrilled to be part of it. But it’s a funny thing.”
Still, one has to wonder if Rey has been paying attention. Ever since the Special Editions and the prequels, Star Wars fans have been extremely critical of the franchise’s direction. That’s never going to end, but let’s not pretend it’s some new phenomenon.
