Daisy Ridley fans, fear not: you’ll get to see much more of her in the next year or so. First and foremost, Disney dropped a bomb yesterday in telling the world that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker would arrive on Disney+ two months early. Now the film will hit the streaming service a week from today on May 4th. For Ridley, however, it’s time to move on from Star Wars.  She’ll apparently do so starring in the crime-thriller The Ice Beneath Her.

Daisy Ridley; The Ice Beneath Her
Daisy Ridley as Rey in The Force Awakens.
(Image: Lucasfilm Ltd.)

Avid readers of the genre will recognize the title as that of Swedish author Camilla Grebe’s 2015 bestseller. Cut from the same cloth as other “unreliable narrator” works such as Gone Girl, The Ice Beneath Her follows a psychological profiler and detective as they try to solve the mystery of a beheaded woman found in a prominent businessman’s home. According to Deadline, Ridley is in serious talks to serve as the film’s star.

Daisy Ridley to star in The Ice Beneath Her

The Ice Beneath Her

The Star Wars sequel trilogy was rife with controversy from the moment Episode VIII: The Last Jedi hit theaters. That resulted in even The Rise of Skywalker facing its own pointed criticism. With that backdrop, perhaps the news that Daisy Ridley is moving on from the franchise couldn’t come at a better time for the young actress. The Ice Beneath Her could be the acting challenge she needs to truly set her apart from Star Wars.

Film company STX won the bidding war for the rights to the film. Andrew Lazar (American Sniper) will produce. The directing choice is interesting, however: Ready or Not’s directing trio Radio Silence will helm the production. Writing credits for The Ice Beneath Her rest with Supergirl’s Caitlin Parrish.

Daisy Ridley; Ophelia
Daisy Ridley appears in the title role of Ophelia.
(Image: IFC Films)

Daisy Ridley has already begun her career beyond the franchise that put her on the map. She starred in Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express, don’t forget. She also gave a much-underrated performance in the independent production of Ophelia. The Ice Beneath Her, however, may very well allow the actress to fully tap her potential.

Source: Deadline