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Star Wars: The Force Awakens set all sorts of box office records when it opened in 2015 — and The Last Jedi looks on course to be even bigger. Daisy Ridley, who has fast become one of the hottest properties in Hollywood, reprises her role as heroine Rey.
It’s been a huge 2017 for the British-born actress as she also starred in the ensemble cast of Murder On The Orient Express, which included industry giants such as Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Kenneth Branagh, and Dame Judi Dench.
Despite such a quick rise to superstardom it’s not always been an easy ride — with Ridley admitting that the instant fame was initially hard to handle. She tells Gulf News tabloid! how she is getting used to the “new normal”, why she is now an expert with a lightsaber, and the best hotel experience of her life in Abu Dhabi.
Star Wars is probably the biggest franchise in the world. Are you used to everything that comes with it now?
I am not sure you ever really get used to it — but I suppose you do get used to a new normal. I always knew it was big... but it wasn’t until my first Comic Con that I knew what it really meant to the fans — for many it is a religion. When you know what it means to people it does put pressure on you for sure.
How do you keep a sense of normality when you are part of a global brand like Star Wars?
Friends and family are so important. Even when things get really crazy and wherever I am in the world I know that my mum is only ever one phone call away. I have called her crying more times than I care to remember.
There is secrecy around The Star Wars plot like no other movie out there. How easy do you find it to keep it all secret?
It’s something you just accept. It was harder with The Force Awakens. I couldn’t even tell anybody I got the part for three months. Now you know you can’t say anything, of course people are always going to ask, but I think it’s great... it helps build the anticipation.
How easy was it getting back into character for The Last Jedi?
You do sit there and wonder between movies, where am I going to take Rey, how is she going to develop, but the incredible writing of Rian Johnson [writer and director of The Last Jedi] makes it so much easier to get back into character.
There was some serious physical training this time around that wasn’t there before.
There was — as well as gym work. I also spent a lot of time rock climbing and sword training. It was tough, but also a lot of fun and really helped for sure.
You have said you felt more confident with a lightsaber in The Last Jedi than you did in The Force Awakens?
I did this time for sure. They are much heavier than they look, so physically I felt in better shape to deal with it. But it’s also down to some amazing training I was given. They are such an iconic part of the movies that you really want to get it right.
The Last Jedi was obviously Carrie Fisher’s last movie before her passing. How important is it that she is honoured?
It’s hugely important. She is one of all the time iconic Star Wars characters. She always had great advice for me and I count myself very fortunate to have known her. She is very deeply missed by everybody on set.
For The Force Awakens you actually spent some time filming in the UAE. How did you enjoy it?
I loved it. For me one of the most incredible things about what I do is seeing different places in the world that otherwise maybe I would never have seen.
What stood out about your time there?
We stayed in this amazing hotel in the middle of the desert [Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in Abu Dhabi] and it was just breathtaking. I think it’s probably my favourite hotel experience ever.
The UAE held a Comic Con this year. Would you ever attend?
Comic Cons are great. You really get to see the passion of the fans — it’s a great atmosphere. If a Comic Con visit in the UAE was ever on the schedule I would be delighted to come and meet the fans over then and hopefully even spend a little more time exploring.
___
Don’t miss it!
Star Wars: The Last Jedi releases in the UAE on December 14.
It’s been a huge 2017 for the British-born actress as she also starred in the ensemble cast of Murder On The Orient Express, which included industry giants such as Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Kenneth Branagh, and Dame Judi Dench.
Despite such a quick rise to superstardom it’s not always been an easy ride — with Ridley admitting that the instant fame was initially hard to handle. She tells Gulf News tabloid! how she is getting used to the “new normal”, why she is now an expert with a lightsaber, and the best hotel experience of her life in Abu Dhabi.
Star Wars is probably the biggest franchise in the world. Are you used to everything that comes with it now?
I am not sure you ever really get used to it — but I suppose you do get used to a new normal. I always knew it was big... but it wasn’t until my first Comic Con that I knew what it really meant to the fans — for many it is a religion. When you know what it means to people it does put pressure on you for sure.
How do you keep a sense of normality when you are part of a global brand like Star Wars?
Friends and family are so important. Even when things get really crazy and wherever I am in the world I know that my mum is only ever one phone call away. I have called her crying more times than I care to remember.
There is secrecy around The Star Wars plot like no other movie out there. How easy do you find it to keep it all secret?
It’s something you just accept. It was harder with The Force Awakens. I couldn’t even tell anybody I got the part for three months. Now you know you can’t say anything, of course people are always going to ask, but I think it’s great... it helps build the anticipation.
How easy was it getting back into character for The Last Jedi?
You do sit there and wonder between movies, where am I going to take Rey, how is she going to develop, but the incredible writing of Rian Johnson [writer and director of The Last Jedi] makes it so much easier to get back into character.
There was some serious physical training this time around that wasn’t there before.
There was — as well as gym work. I also spent a lot of time rock climbing and sword training. It was tough, but also a lot of fun and really helped for sure.
You have said you felt more confident with a lightsaber in The Last Jedi than you did in The Force Awakens?
I did this time for sure. They are much heavier than they look, so physically I felt in better shape to deal with it. But it’s also down to some amazing training I was given. They are such an iconic part of the movies that you really want to get it right.
The Last Jedi was obviously Carrie Fisher’s last movie before her passing. How important is it that she is honoured?
It’s hugely important. She is one of all the time iconic Star Wars characters. She always had great advice for me and I count myself very fortunate to have known her. She is very deeply missed by everybody on set.
For The Force Awakens you actually spent some time filming in the UAE. How did you enjoy it?
I loved it. For me one of the most incredible things about what I do is seeing different places in the world that otherwise maybe I would never have seen.
What stood out about your time there?
We stayed in this amazing hotel in the middle of the desert [Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in Abu Dhabi] and it was just breathtaking. I think it’s probably my favourite hotel experience ever.
The UAE held a Comic Con this year. Would you ever attend?
Comic Cons are great. You really get to see the passion of the fans — it’s a great atmosphere. If a Comic Con visit in the UAE was ever on the schedule I would be delighted to come and meet the fans over then and hopefully even spend a little more time exploring.
___
Don’t miss it!
Star Wars: The Last Jedi releases in the UAE on December 14.
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