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BeforeDaisy Ridleybecame the face of theStar Warssequel trilogy with her portrayal of Rey , many other actress auditioned for the coveted role . Disney resuscitate the epic saga after their accomplishment of Lucasfilm with J.J. Abrams at the helm . Star Wars : The Force Awakenswas set 30 years after the event ofReturn of the Jediand mingle well - cognise figures with a handful of saucy face , include the central character , Rey .
Rey was a compelling character from the first minute she appear on screen in 2015’sThe Force Awakens . She was a magpie living alone on the major planet Jakku after being left there by her parent at a very young years . Rey then run across Finn ( John Boyega ) before find herself straight involve with the Resistance ’s fight against the First Order . After realizing that she was Force - sensitive , she became a target of Kylo Ren ( Adam Driver ) and afterwards take to be a Jedi with the assistance of Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill ) and General Leia Organa ( Carrie Fisher ) . By the oddment of the Skywalker Saga withStar Wars : The hike of Skywalker , it was revealed that Rey was the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine ( Ian McDiarmid ) , but she chose to identify as a Skywalker to extend on their legacy .
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Although dally Rey will likely be Ridley ’s vocation - defining role , it almost did n’t work out that style . It had been stated that nigh every unseasoned Hollywood actress cast her lid in the ring for the lead role , but a few name calling have been more talk about than others . When put begin in 2013 , Abrams had his own short list , which include names like Jennifer Lawrence and Shailene Woodley . He also reportedly had an interest in Elizabeth Olsen , but the actress was already devote to her function as Scarlet Witch in theMarvel Cinematic Universe . Saoirse Ronanalso reportedly auditioned forThe Force Awakens , presumably for the part of Rey . In addition , a few other name went through the casting unconscious process and ended up getting other parts in the films .
Jessica Henwick auditioned for the office of Rey , and the process live on six month . Considering the length of metre spend in argument , it was strike that Henwick was the runner - up . The actress put her heart and individual into the audition , but that was n’t lose on Abrams . Rather than play Rey , Henwick was call for to play another new character , Jess Pava , a woman who served as a pilot in the Resistance . Henwick then went on to look inGame of Thrones , Iron Fist , The Defenders , andLuke Cage .
early on on during the casting process , Abrams contactedBillie Lourd , the daughter ofStar Warsicon , Carrie Fisher . Lourd tried out for the part of Rey but was by and by found to be a fit for another new character , Lieutenant Connix . Not only was it her first acting gig , but Lourd had the chance to work closely alongside her female parent ’s character , Leia Organa . Lourd reprised her part forStar war : The Last JediandThe Rise of Skywalker , which later return the actress the chanceto honor her late female parent .
In the end , Lucasfilm decided to take a Sir Frederick Handley Page out of the original playbook by hiring relatively unknown actors for the lead roles ofStar Wars : The Force Awakens . Ridley was an inexperient actress but presented special qualities as if she was a veteran veteran soldier . She was also said to have a glint that would later be seen throughout her performances in the sequel trilogy . Despite the receipt surrounding the latestStar Warstrilogy , it ’s hard to believe anyone else could bring Rey to life better than Daisy Ridley .
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