Daisy Ridley has seemingly confirmed that her upcoming New Jedi Order Star Wars Rey movie will be overtly political, following comments made by the film’s new writer, George Nolfi. As Lucasfilm struggles with audience fatigue and declining interest, it appears the studio is once again prioritizing messaging over storytelling.
Daisy Ridley as Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Lucasfilm
Nolfi, the third writer to take on the troubled project, recently spoke with Film Stories about his vision for Star Wars, stating, “If you think about George Lucas, the six movies that he did, and the universe that he created, it’s actually very steeped in broad notions of politics. It’s not talking about today, per se, but there’s the Empire’s N*zism slash Roman Empire.”
This perspective was eagerly endorsed by Ridley while speaking to Inverse.
“I feel like [the Star Wars films] are all political,” she said. “I feel like it’s the individual versus the big corporation or the big group, so I think they always have been. And ultimately, I think the films are emotional in that it’s good and evil, which we all can relate to very specifically in our day-to-day lives. But yes, I do feel those conversations are woven within the story, and I’m very excited to see what George does.”
Ridley’s comment about Star Wars being “the individual versus the big corporation or the big group” only highlights how little she understands the franchise.
Star Wars has never been about a lone individual fighting against a massive entity—it has always been about groups of like-minded people uniting against oppression. The Rebel Alliance wasn’t a single person taking on the Empire; it was a coalition of different factions, species, and ideologies working together to restore freedom to the galaxy. Even in the sequel trilogy, the Resistance—though far less compelling than the original Rebellion—was still a collective effort, not some lone-wolf rebellion.
Ridley’s misunderstanding underscores how Disney’s version of Star Wars has abandoned its core themes, replacing them with shallow, modern interpretations that miss the spirit of what made the franchise great in the first place.
Daisy Ridley as Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Lucasfilm
While Star Wars has always touched on broader themes of rebellion and tyranny, modern Lucasfilm has repeatedly taken a far more explicit and divisive approach, turning Star Wars into a vehicle for identity politics rather than timeless storytelling.
Nolfi acknowledged that the politics George Lucas incorporated into Star Wars were rooted in classic themes of good versus evil, drawing inspiration from historical events such as the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Germany in World War II. These broad, universal conflicts resonated with audiences because they transcended specific political moments, allowing fans from all backgrounds to engage with the story.
However, under Kathleen Kennedy’s leadership, Star Wars has increasingly shifted toward modern identity politics, focusing on divisive social and ideological issues of the day, rather than timeless struggles. Instead of exploring moral dilemmas and the nature of power as Lucas did, contemporary Star Wars projects have prioritized messaging about gender, sexuality, race, and activism—alienating a large portion of the fanbase in the process.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Political Vision for Rey Movie
Ridley’s comments should come as no surprise, given the film’s director, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, has already made it clear that her Star Wars will have a feminist agenda. Rather than focusing on Rey’s role as a Jedi, Obaid-Chinoy has emphasized that she’s exploring her role “as a female Jedi,” pushing the idea that gender politics must take center stage in the story.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 07: (L-R) Daisy Ridley, Kathleen Kennedy and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy attend the studio panel at Star Wars Celebration 2023 attends the studio panel at Star Wars Celebration 2023 in London at ExCel on April 07, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Disney)
Obaid-Chinoy, best known for her work in documentaries rather than narrative filmmaking, has been outspoken about her political views, stating that she enjoys making men uncomfortable with her work. Given this perspective, it’s likely New Jedi Order will continue the trend of agenda-driven storytelling, a formula that has already led to declining fan interest in Star Wars.
The Decline of Star Wars Under Kathleen Kennedy
Since Kathleen Kennedy took over Lucasfilm, Star Wars has seen a steady decline in both box office performance and fan enthusiasm.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 23: Kathleen Kennedy, President, Lucasfilm attends the launch event for Lucasfilm’s new Star Wars series The Acolyte at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
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While Disney’s sequel trilogy had a divisive reception, the post-Rise of Skywalker era has been nothing short of a disaster.
- Ahsoka failed to generate the excitement Disney had hoped for, drawing in low viewership despite heavy marketing.
- The Acolyte has been mired in controversy even before its release, with showrunner Leslye Headland pushing heavy ideological messaging. It performed even worse than Ahsoka and was canceled after a single season.
- Skeleton Crew, another Disney+ series, barely registered on fans’ radar, signaling just how fatigued audiences have become with Disney’s approach.
Rather than learning from these failures, Lucasfilm appears determined to keep pushing the same formula that has driven fans away. The continued focus on identity politics and messaging over compelling storytelling only reinforces why audiences have checked out.
Fans Are Tired of Politics in Star Wars
Despite clear signs that fans are moving on, Lucasfilm remains steadfast in its approach. With the Rey movie already struggling to find its footing—cycling through multiple writers and delays—it’s clear that the studio’s leadership remains out of touch with its audience as it continues to seek a political narrative.
Daisy Ridley as Rey in The Force Awakens (2015), Lucasfilm
At a time when Star Wars desperately needs a course correction, New Jedi Order appears to be doubling down on the very approach that has alienated so many fans. While the franchise was once known for its universal themes and rich world-building, modern Lucasfilm seems more interested in pushing divisive narratives than recapturing the magic that made Star Wars an enduring cultural phenomenon.
Do you believe the Rey movie will be political in nature? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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