The Star Wars actor on returning to a galaxy far, far away, singing with Streisand — and the meaning of life
Daisy Ridley was working in a bar when she won the part of Rey in 2015’s Star Wars Episode VII: the Force Awakens. It catapulted her from TV bit parts to a massive film franchise. She has since starred in Ophelia, Peter Rabbit and Murder on the Orient Express, where she met her husband Tom Bateman. Now 31, her latest film is The Inventor, a stop-motion animation about Leonardo da Vinci, in which she voices the noblewoman Marguerite de Navarre.
You were only 21 when you were cast in the Star Wars movies — how did that feel?
I felt quite insecure and that I didn’t deserve to be there. I was so worried, but now I look back and go, “God, why was I stressing?” Life goes quickly, and you have to just enjoy what you have. I wish I could have said that to myself.
My seven-year-old boy has started watching the films and I bought him a Star Wars book with you on the cover — does that still feel bonkers?
I once walked past a poster of me and someone asked if it was strange. And I said, “I don’t feel like that’s me.” It feels strangely separate. It’s an odd thing.
After apparently saying goodbye to Rey in 2019, you’re now returning for a new film — Star Wars: New Jedi Order, directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. How’s that going?
I was very excited meeting her and spending a bit of time with her. She’s very focused and very clear – I think documentarians often make really brilliant narrative directors. It’s also exciting to work with someone who has a particular vision and to feel like, “OK, I’m going to go on your ride.” It’s fun to be on a journey with someone you respect.
What did you learn about Leonardo da Vinci while making the animated film The Inventor?
I couldn’t really believe how ahead of his time he was. His thoughts, inventions and musings were so modern. There was such a profound sense of this man being almost plucked from another time and put into the past.
Your character works with Da Vinci in designing the ideal city — what makes an ideal city for you?
I love a centre. I think as a Londoner: when you go to cities and they don’t have a centre, you’re a bit confused! I want to know where the central point is so I know where everything leads to or away from. What else would I want in an ideal city? Probably a cinema, good restaurants and maybe a beach and promenade.
