Keri Russell Admits She Played Zorii Bliss in The Rise of Skywalker Because She Didn't Want to be a Lead

For some, being included in a huge franchise such as Star Wars could be somewhat appealing, since your name will be a part of a cultural legacy. But for Zorii Bliss actor Keri Russell, she found a different interest in starring in The Rise of Skywalker besides wanting to become much more popular.

In a recent interview with Town & Country, Russell described her character and revealed what she found appealing by starring in Episode IX. "There was a lead for it already," she claimed. Obviously, the actress was referring to Daisy Ridley, who will play Rey. "So it was very attractive, the idea of not being the lead."

Russell admits that she felt safe while wearing the mask and that she felt tough in it. The actress wasn't even wearing any makeup. However, this isn't something she is bothered with because Russell claims she won't "have to be embarrassed by anything" by having to wear the mask.

In short, the actress preferred to appear in The Rise of Skywalker without, in theory, actually appearing in the movie.

Russell described her character in the movie as someone inspired by a female character director J.J. Abrams saw when he was young from Space Runner. The said character rode a motorbike and had a helmet on all the time, which got the director "obsessed" over what the character actually looked like. "That was the genesis of this character because he always wanted to know who she was," Russell added.

Are you excited to see Russell's Zorii Bliss in Episode IX? Tell us in the comments below!

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premieres December 20.

Also Read: John Boyega Admits He was Responsible for The Rise of Skywalker Script Ending Up on eBay