Star Wars: The Force Awakens kick-started Star Wars sequel trilogy with a promise that new legends will take center stage in a conflict between the First Order and the Resistance.
Newcomer Daisy Ridley joined the franchise as Rey, who attempts to find Luke, the last surviving Jedi. Jessica Henwick also made her debut in the franchise as Resistance fighter Jessika Pava.
Ridley’s character’s importance only grew in the second installment of the trilogy. However, Pava didn’t feature in the Rian Johnson-directed film, much to many fans’ surprise. The reason behind her absence is even more astonishing.
Why Rian Johnson Didn’t Cast Matrix Actress in His Star Wars Movie
Jessica Henwick caught the attention of Star Wars fans as Jessika Pava, a human female pilot of the Resistance during the war against the First Order. She worshipped Luke Skywalker and was a part of Poe Dameron’s Black Squadron.
Despite barely appearing outside of the cockpit in Episode VII, Pava did enough to leave her mark. As such, many were left puzzled about her absence in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Interestingly, The Matrix Resurrections star was keen to be part of the subsequent chapter but didn’t feature because director Rian Johnson – who succeeded J.J. Abrams – was confused about Pava’s fate in a galaxy far, far away.
Speaking to SYFY, the actress revealed she got the opportunity to clear the air when she worked with Johnson in Knives Out 2. Henwick said:
“I loved her and I was meant to come back for the next one. And then the director, Rian Johnson… I spoke to him about it the other day, because I finally have worked with him. I asked him, ‘Why didn’t you bring me back?’ He thought I died in [Episode VII].”
The 31-year-old, who supposedly has a whole series of comic books written about the character, corrected the filmmaker by revealing Pava didn’t die in Poe Dameron. “He didn’t know that. So he was upset,” she added.
The comic book series details events before and after the film Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi.
What Mark Hamill Thought About Rian Johnson’s Approach in The Last Jedi
The Last Jedi sees new heroes and galactic legends join hands in their attempts to unlock mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.
In the film, Luke is presented as an old and weary man, who guides Rey as she trains and develops her powers. However, after reading the script, Mark Hamill disagreed with Johnson. He told the director (via IMDb):
“I pretty much fundamentally disagree with every choice you’ve made for this character. Now having said that, I have gotten it off my chest, and my job now is to take what you’ve created and do my best to realize your vision.”
The Star Wars legend respected Johnson’s decision and in order to get into the mindset of his broken character, Hamill wrote a personal backstory for Luke.
