Full Breakdown
Olivia Cooke Confirms Rey Audition, Calls Performance ‘Really Bad’
6/24/2026, 1:59:32 AM
Rey Audition and Self-Assessment
Olivia Cooke, the actress known for “House of the Dragon,” told host Josh Horowitz on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast that she auditioned for Rey in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” She said the process involved a reading in Los Angeles and a second session with director J.J. Abrams. Cooke described her performance as “really bad,” saying she felt she let herself and the room down. The role went to Daisy Ridley when the film opened in 2015.
Context and Rumor Clarification
The 2015 film was Disney’s first “Star Wars” release after buying Lucasfilm for $4 billion, prompting intense competition; many actors, including Brie Larson, auditioned. Before Cooke’s interview, speculation linked her to a secondary role in “The Last Jedi” (Rose Tico) and to sequel trilogy. Cooke denied ever auditioning for “The Last Jedi,” calling the Rose Tico rumor “an agent-started story.” She stressed her only involvement was the Rey audition.
Official Summary of Cooke’s Remarks
Cooke confirmed she auditioned multiple times for the role that ultimately went to Daisy Ridley, noting that the competition was extensive. She described her own audition as a failure, calling herself “shit” and “really bad.” She praised Ridley’s performance and concluded she was not the right type of actor for the part at that stage.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Some outlets reported that Cooke had been considered for Rose Tico or that she auditioned for “The Last Jedi,” contradicting her own statements. Sources differ on the number of Rey auditions—some cite “a few times,” others specify “once in L.A. and once with Abrams.” No independent verification beyond Cooke’s podcast interview is provided, and many sources lack reliability ratings.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think I auditioned once in L.A., and then once with J.J. [Abrams]. And I was shit. I was really bad,” — Olivia Cooke, Actress
- “You know when you go into an audition, and you’re just not bringing it and you’ve let yourself down, you’ve let everyone down in the room?” — Olivia Cooke, Actress
- “I did audition a few times for the other one, where Daisy Ridley got [the role of Rey].” — Olivia Cooke, Actress
- “Daisy did such an amazing job, I just wasn’t that kind of an actor at that time. It just wasn’t a fit.” — Olivia Cooke, Actress
Impact on Cooke’s Career and Fan Interest
Cooke’s openness clarifies a casting rumor and shows the competitive nature of major franchise auditions. While missing the Rey role, she secured prominent parts such as “Ready Player One,” “Sound of Metal,” and the lead in “House of the Dragon,” where the third season is airing and a fourth season is slated for 2028. The interview sparked renewed fan discussion of alternate casting.
What’s Next for Cooke and Star Wars
Lucasfilm’s theatrical project “Starfighter,” directed by Shawn Levy, is set for release on May 28, 2027, alongside other untitled Star Wars films. Cooke has not signaled further pursuit of Star Wars roles, focusing on her ongoing HBO work.
