Keri Russell’s character for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is shrouded in mystery, but the actress didn’t hide any of her enthusiasm at being a part of the epic saga. In preparation for the December 20th premiere, Russell shared a few details about Zorri Bliss with Screen Rant, and previewed the satisfaction provided by J.J. Abrams’ conclusion to the Skywalker story.
We're here at The Rise of Skywalker; the final chapter of the Skywalker saga. When you first got to see Zorri, what did you think about her look?
Keri Russell: Loved it. I mean, what's not to love? If you get to be in a Star Wars movie, and you get asked to be that character? Done. I mean, hit it out of the park. It's my absolute dream version of being in a Star Wars movie: wearing a badass costume, as one of those elusive characters that you're always trying to find out more about. And it's such a power play to have that big mask on, this tough outfit – you can see everyone, but they can't really see what you're thinking. Awesome.
But Keri, here's the thing. Sometimes the cool-looking characters, like Boba Fett, he got thrown into some pit in the desert. Captain Phasma, she was thrown into some hole. You got to be a little concerned when you have cool-looking characters. So did that cross your mind at all?
Keri Russell: That's true. No, I just stopped at the cool. I was like, "I'm cool!" That is a really good point that I should have thought through, but we'll just have to see how it all ends up.
But I had some really cool interaction with Oscar too, which was really fun. And the character helps describe some of his past, which is fun.
You're right, because I saw your character and I was like, "Wow, this is one of the coolest looking characters I've ever seen." What is the most intriguing part of your character? Without giving any kind of spoilers away.
Keri Russell: When J.J. asked me to do it, he told me about the mask and said, "Would you be cool to do this?" I said, "Yes, of course."
I think that the costume, without giving anything away, is indicative of who she is. It lets you know what kind of world [she's from]. First of all, the character is Kijimi, which is a snowy planet. And it's an occupied planet, so there's a lot of black market stuff has happening. I see it as, if you're covered and if you're anonymous, that's your protection. No one knows really who you are. So she's into some shady stuff, which is always the cool people. She's a survivor; you don't know where her loyalties are. Which is great, and I think that's part of the hiddenness of it.
But there's more details than that, which I think are enjoyable.
Would you be up for reprising your role, whether it be on Disney+ or a video game or any other media?
Keri Russell: Totally. In these giant movies, there's always a little bit more written and a little more shot than what ends up in the cut, because it's just so epic. And there were so many things to solve, and to satisfy people with this story, because it's the end of this huge thing. So, there were more details involved with it that could certainly be embellished.
I know you got to see the movie last night for the first time. Can you talk to me about your initial reactions after seeing the film?
Keri Russell: The biggest thing I have to say is, you hear that music - that beginning music - and you're just like, "Aaaah!" I had Matthew with me, my guy, and Oscar Isaac. That music comes on and "in a galaxy far, far away..." And I looked at Matthew and I was like, "How angry are you that it was me and not you in this movie? And he's like, "So angry." Because it's so cool.
But from the beginning, it just takes off. I'm not giving anything away, because I think it's in the trailer. There's some desert stuff, and there's just this moment when Daisy's about to get into something. She gets down and starts doing this thing, and I was just like, "[unintelligible screams]." I mean, you're just in it. It satisfies. I really cried at the end. It did everything I wanted to do.
