After the Final Lightsaber: Kennedy & Ridley Reflect on the Future of Star Wars
Kathleen Kennedy: A New Chapter Is on the Horizon
When the last lightsaber was turned off on the set of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Lucasfilm’s president, Kathleen Kennedy, already had her sights set on what comes next. She teased that the saga’s door remains ajar, hinting that beloved characters might still return in future films.
Storytelling Unshackled
“We’re not confined to a three‑act puzzle board,” Kennedy explained to the Los Angeles Times. “Instead of carving the narrative into neat boxes, we let the story itself dictate the shape of the journey.” That open‑ended approach, she muses, bodes well for a franchise that thrives on its I‑shaped labyrinth of adventure and mystery.
Looking Ahead
- Re‑introducing iconic figures from the original trilogy.
- Exploring new families and power‑players beyond the Skywalker‑clan.
- Investing in fresh worlds with distinct cultures and threats.
- Connecting Spinoff characters into a shared sub‑universe.
“It’s a critical transition,” Kennedy added. “After solidifying the family saga, the time is ripe to segue into something new and, dare I say, exciting.
Daisy Ridley’s Emotional Departure
The actress who breathed life into Rey reported that the final day of filming brought a flood of tears that could have taken out a ship. According to her account, the sound crew were passing the mic, and all conversations faded into a blur.
“I can’t remember what I said – it felt like a fleeting whisper,” she reflected, “then I was in a car, tears rolling, realizing this chapter of the Star Wars universe is over for my character. I’ve been fortunate to explore such rich territory across the three films.”
Why It Matters
For fans, these candid moments remind us that even the galaxy’s brightest adventures ebb and flow like the tides of emotions.
