Actress Daisy Ridley led the Star Wars franchise’s sequel era, playing the role of Rey. However, the sequels received mostly polarizing reactions from critics and fans aside. Furthermore, Ridley’s time in the galaxy far, far away was marred with several controversial moments that had the fanbase divided about the characterization of Rey.
During an interview, Ridley addressed one of the most controversial moments of her character. Ridley came out in defense of the controversial scene that capped off the sequel era. Here is what Ridley had to say about the scene she shared with co-star Adam Driver in The Rise of Skywalker and why the actress felt the moment was earned.
Daisy Ridley’s Kiss With Adam Driver Is Her Most Controversial Star Wars Moment
Daisy Ridley first appeared as Rey in 2015’s The Force Awakens, which was a major commercial success. However, Ridley’s first appearance itself stirred controversy among the fanbase when Rey piloted Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon, without any apparent experience of piloting.
Later, fan reaction to the moment became mellow, as the film’s novelization and dialog revealed that Rey had some experience as a pilot. However, by the time the sequel trilogy concluded with The Rise of Skywalker, another Rey moment divided the fanbase. The final film features a kissing scene between Rey and Adam Driver‘s Kylo Ren, which polarized the fans.
Despite serving as an antagonist for most of the trilogy, Kylo Ren has a change of heart during the final battle on Exegol. Ren sacrifices himself to save Rey by using force, and they share a kiss before Ren finally passes away. Given the lack of any previous setup of a romantic angle between the two characters, fans felt the kiss was out of place. Therefore, the kissing scene became one of Rey’s most controversial moments.
Daisy Ridley Defends Her Controversial Star Wars Kiss With Adam Driver
During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Ridley spoke about divisive reactions to The Rise of Skywalker, particularly the kissing scene between Rey and Kylo Ren. However, Ridley spoke in defense of the scene and shared her honest opinion of the kiss.
It felt earned … What was interesting again is intentionality. My feeling in that moment was that it was a goodbye, and that felt earned.
Ridley made the above statement regarding the highly controversial scene, explaining that the scene wasn’t meant to insinuate a romantic connection between the two characters.
The actress further reiterated that she felt the kiss was meant to signify the final goodbye from Ren to Rey, implying that their connection through the force was crucial to the moment feeling earned. In the same podcast, Ridley also expressed excitement over her impending return to the Star Wars franchise.
Ridley will reprise the role of Rey in a yet-untitled film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. The film will reportedly take place several years in the future and focus on Rey as she attempts to rebuild the Jedi Order. However, the film currently does not have a release date attached.
The Star Wars sequel trilogy and other entries in the franchise are streaming on Disney+.
