The Last Jedi – the eighth instalment of the Star Wars Skywalker saga and the middle chapter of the sequel trilogy – was critically acclaimed when Rian Johnson brought it to fruition two years ago, and general audiences awarded it an A-grade with CinemaScore.
But online, the series’ most passionate fans were split amongst those who liked Johnson’s interesting narrative choices, and those who hated them.
Aside from the disappointing misogyny and racism amongst outright trolls, Luke Skywalker’s character arc was met with particular dismay – and some fans even wanted the whole movie remade.
Now, in a new interview, Ridley has called the whole backlash “fair”.
“I wasn’t surprised, no,” she told USA Today. “It’s just a different thing.
“Everyone’s going to have an opinion now anyway on the internet, but I also think it’s fair.
“If people hold something incredibly dear and think they know how it should be and it’s not like that, it’s fair for people to think they were done wrong.”
But she added: ”It doesn’t mean they were – ultimately, Rian’s a filmmaker and one person can’t dictate how a film is supposed to be – but freedom of expression, sure.”
In the same interview, Ridley promised that upcoming saga finale The Rise of Skywalker will be a different kettle of fish once again.
“Genre-wise, it’s different from the other two, which will become clear when the film comes out,” she said.
“It’s quite emotional. There’s a different drive than the previous two films, but there’s a lot of fun.
“I really missed John (Boyega, Finn) during the last one, but we’re back together and now Oscar (Isaac, Poe) is part of it.
“To me, it felt like kids going on an adventure.”
Ridley, who is promoting her work in the new indie film Ophelia, has also recently revealed what Carrie Fisher was saying in her ear during the shot of her crying in an embrace in the trailer.
It’s an offcut from The Force Awakens; being given fresh usage here as a way of inserting the late Fisher into the concluding part of the story.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is out on December 19.