Daisy Ridley has dropped a subtle hint that seems to confirm the rumours that her character in the forthcoming Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Rey, is the daughter of Han Solo (and presumably Princess Leia's, since the two of them end up together at the end of the previous episode, Return of the Jedi).
In an interview on Japanese TV, Ridley said: "I'm not sure how much I can say. I guess because I have said that I am 'solitary', that's how I begin — that is probably a big clue as to what it is."
After making the comment, Ridley and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy both laughed.
Further Ridley/Solo rumours doing the rounds online suggest that Rey will also pilot the Millenium Falcon, presumably having inherited the ability from her father, which should make the fan boys very happy indeed.
In other force-related news, Lawrence Kasdan, who is writing the new movie and also wrote the classic Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, has revealed that the movie will not be going down the road of self-indulgent three hour epic beloved of many franchise reboots. Kasdan told Vanity Fair: "One of the things that we always refocus on from the get-go was that it not be one of these very long, bloated blockbusters. A lot of very entertaining movies lately are too long. In the last 20 minutes, you think, why isn't this over?"
He added: “it’s a big movie. It’s full of wonderful stuff, incident and character stuff and jokes and effects … JJ [Abrams] directed it so beautifully.”
cnewbould@thenational.ae
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ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
Results
5pm: Al Falah – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bshara, Richard Mullen (jockey), Salem Al Ketbi (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Al Dhafra – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Mualami, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
6.30pm: Al Khaleej Al Arabi – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Hawafez, Adrie de Vries, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Mafraq – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi
7.30pm: Al Samha – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Patrick Cosgrave, Ismail Mohammed
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)