Despite delays and uncertain plans for future Star Wars films, Daisy Ridley’s Rey is set to feature prominently in several upcoming projects.
The future of the Star Wars franchise has remained in flux for years, with numerous projects announced but few actually reaching production. However, a new report reveals that Daisy Ridley will reprise her iconic role as Rey in several upcoming Star Wars films, signalling that the character will play a central role in the next phase of the franchise.
Since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hit theatres nearly five years ago, fans have eagerly awaited the next chapter of the beloved saga. However, the journey forward has been complicated, with Lucasfilm struggling to solidify a clear direction for the series. While various projects have been announced over the years, many have been delayed, cancelled, or put into limbo, leaving fans in suspense.
Despite these uncertainties, The Hollywood Reporter (THR) has confirmed that Rey will be integral to the upcoming slate of films. According to their sources, Ridley’s character will be “key to the franchise’s next turn,” serving as a unifying thread across several projects in development. The actress had already been confirmed to return for Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s standalone Star Wars film, but it now seems likely that Rey will also play a significant role in a new trilogy being helmed by Simon Kinberg, best known for Dark Phoenix.
However, the timeline and details around these films remain unclear. The standalone Rey movie, which was expected to begin production soon, recently faced setbacks, including the loss of its original writer, Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders). As it stands, there is no firm release date for the Rey-focused film, nor is it certain whether it will be the first project to make it to the big screen.
In an industry where plans can shift rapidly, it’s clear that Rey is seen as one of the franchise’s most important assets. A source close to the Star Wars franchise told THR that Rey is “the most valuable cinematic asset, in some ways maybe the only one, Star Wars has right now.” The statement underscores just how pivotal Ridley’s character is to Lucasfilm’s vision for the future. After the demise or conclusion of several fan-favourite characters, including Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo, Rey is one of the few surviving characters from the sequel trilogy still available to carry the saga forward.
With many of Star Wars’ iconic figures either having been written off or their story arcs concluded, the pool of beloved characters to draw from has become remarkably limited. One source noted that, when it comes to pre-existing characters, “The closet is a little bare.” This has led Lucasfilm to focus on Rey as a central figure around which to build future stories.
As the Star Wars franchise struggles to find its footing in a post-sequel era, the decision to bring Rey back suggests that Lucasfilm may be looking to stabilise the brand by continuing with a character who has already established a significant fan base. While there is no definitive word on when fans will see the next Star Wars movie, the return of Rey is likely to reignite excitement around the franchise. For now, though, the road ahead remains uncertain. The world of Star Wars continues to be a vast and ever-evolving galaxy, and with Rey’s return, it’s clear that Lucasfilm hopes to guide fans through the next chapter—whenever that may come.
