Daisy Ridley Wants Star Wars Fans To Voice Their Opinions Without Being ‘So Vicious’

Daisy Ridley as Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

While Star Wars is still one of the most popular franchises to ever exist in the universe, a bit of the luster has worn from it in the last few years as more films have been produced. While many seem to universally love the original trilogy, and almost as universally hate the prequel trilogy, the new Star Wars movies have produced much more debate, with many loving them, and many others hating them just as strongly. Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley, for one, would love to see this passion displayed in a somewhat less viscous fashion.

It isn't exactly a secret that the new Star Wars movies have their detractors. Star Wars: The Last Jedi specifically caused a very vocal outpouring of vitriol. In a recent interview, Daisy Ridley says that, while she supports fans desire to be expressive of their opinions, she'd like to see them do it in a slightly different way. According to Ridley...

It’s great that people are expressive of their views. But this is people’s jobs. People worked really, really hard on that thing. I think there’s a way of having a discussion that isn’t so vicious.

Daisy Ridley relates a story to Bustle that she was once at a friend's birthday party and somebody she barely knew felt it necessary to tell her that she didn't like The Last Jedi. Clearly, this was information Ridley did not need, especially first hand from a relative stranger. Somebody went out of their way to attack Ridley's job directly to her.

It's fine if people don't like movies, that's certainly going to happen, not everybody likes everything. However, for the people who work on the film it's simply a job. Most of us don't feel inclined to let every person we come in contact with know if we don't think they do their job well. We just move on with our lives.

However, so many people identify on a personal level with Star Wars that the movies are more than just stories. There's clearly a passion here among so many, and Daisy Ridley isn't looking to stifle that passion, simply redirect it. Perhaps people shouldn't take movies so seriously. Nothing about the decisions made in these films is personal, and yet, many of the attacks are.

Daisy Ridley says social media is part of the issue, as when people like comments it reinforces the behavior.

The idea that we can dislike something without being viscous about it is certainly a nice thought. Although, evidence suggests that response isn't going anywhere anytime soon. If the majority of people like Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker then we might not get as many angry social media posts, but if the film gets a similar reaction to Star Wars: The Last Jedi, there's a good chance we'll be getting more of the same.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arrives in December.

Dirk Libbey
Content Producer/Theme Park Beat

CinemaBlend’s resident theme park junkie and amateur Disney historian, Dirk began writing for CinemaBlend as a freelancer in 2015 before joining the site full-time in 2018. He has previously held positions as a Staff Writer and Games Editor, but has more recently transformed his true passion into his job as the head of the site's Theme Park section. He has previously done freelance work for various gaming and technology sites. Prior to starting his second career as a writer he worked for 12 years in sales for various companies within the consumer electronics industry. He has a degree in political science from the University of California, Davis.  Is an armchair Imagineer, Epcot Stan, Future Club 33 Member.