Daisy Ridley Swaps Lightsabers for the Octagon in 'Killa Bee'

Your favorite Jedi, Daisy Ridley, is gearing up for a seriously physical new role, taking on the inspiring true story of an ICU nurse who became a fierce MMA fighter in the upcoming film, Killa Bee. Get ready to see Ridley like never before!

TL;DR

• Daisy Ridley is set to star as Bryony Tyrell, a real-life British ICU nurse and championship MMA fighter, in the movie Killa Bee.
• Production for Killa Bee is slated for Q2 2026, which could potentially impact the timeline for her highly anticipated return as Rey in the Star Wars universe.
• Ridley is excited about the project, emphasizing the "extraordinary courage and resilience" of Tyrell, while Lucasfilm appears content with a slower pace for the "New Jedi Order" film.

Daisy Ridley Is Ready to Rumble in an Inspiring True Story

It seems like Daisy Ridley is always on the move, and her latest project sounds incredibly intense! The actress, best known as Rey from the Star Wars sequel trilogy, has officially signed on to star in Killa Bee. This film is a true-life biopic about Bryony Tyrell, a remarkable British woman who balanced life as an ICU nurse with a thriving career as an MMA fighter.

Imagine working long, demanding shifts in an intensive care unit during the day, then transforming into a cage-fighting prospect by night. That's Bryony Tyrell's incredible story, and Ridley is set to bring it to the big screen. Tyrell is a mother of two with advanced degrees in nursing and molecular biology. She started her combat sports journey with kickboxing in university, earning a black belt before diving into various martial arts disciplines like Kung Fu, Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu, and wrestling. Her professional MMA record stands at 4 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw, competing in promotions like Cage Warriors and Bellator.

Daisy Ridley on Bryony Tyrell's Story:

"Bryony’s story is one of extraordinary courage and resilience. I was deeply moved by her emotional and empowering journey. I can’t wait to bring her spirit to the screen."

Stepping Into the Ring: Meet the Killa Bee Team

This isn't just any fight story; it's one with deep personal connections. Kenton Oxley, who previously directed the film Farah, will be at the helm for Killa Bee. What's cool is that Oxley has been friends with Bryony Tyrell since their school days in the UK, bringing a truly personal lens to the project. The screenplay was penned by Ruth Sewell, marking her first major feature writing credit.

The production is a collaborative effort between Knockout Productions, Picture Perfect, and Moviehouse Entertainment. The producing team includes Lucinda Thakrar and Mark Vennis, with Michael Foster serving as executive producer. The team has made it clear that Bryony Tyrell herself is actively involved, consulting on the script and shaping the narrative in close dialogue with her family to ensure emotional truth and creative integrity. International sales manager Nathan Wang, who brokered the deal, also shared his excitement, saying, "It’s our first time partnering with Daisy Ridley, and we cannot wait to see her bring Bryony’s grit, vulnerability and sheer inspirational drive to the screen.” Tyrell even expressed her own excitement on Instagram, stating, "I am so honoured and overwhelmed by this! I can’t believe it’s real!"

Daisy Ridley's Impressive Line-Up of Diverse Roles

While we all know and love Daisy Ridley for her epic galactic adventures, she's been incredibly busy expanding her acting chops since her initial Star Wars run. She's really diversifying her filmography, taking on a mix of big-budget and more intimate, independent projects. For instance, she recently starred in the action flick The Cleaner, a film for which she actually trained in MMA, giving her a head start on preparing for Killa Bee! She's also in post-production for the romantic comedy The Last Resort, co-starring Alden Ehrenreich, which is set in the Philippines.

Beyond that, Ridley has appeared in the acclaimed zombie thriller We Bury the Dead, which premiered to positive reviews (90% "Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes!) at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival. Her 2023 Sundance hit, Sometimes I Think About Dying, showcased a different side of her talent, and she also starred in The Marsh King's Daughter and even received a story credit and produced Magpie. This varied slate truly highlights her range and dedication to exploring different characters and genres. Before Killa Bee, she also played legendary swimmer Gertrude Ederle in 2024’s Young Woman and the Sea.

How Will 'Killa Bee' Impact Rey's Return to Star Wars?

Now, let's talk about the galaxy far, far away. Fans have been eagerly awaiting Daisy Ridley's return as Rey in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's "New Jedi Order" movie, which was announced over two years ago at Star Wars Celebration 2023. However, progress on this film has been noticeably slow. In fact, Lucasfilm has already announced and completed The Mandalorian and Grogu, and another Star Wars movie is currently filming in the UK, all while the Rey film seems to be in a holding pattern.

This is where Killa Bee comes into play. Production for the MMA biopic is scheduled to begin in Q2 2026 (sometime between April and June). Lucasfilm seems to be aiming for a schedule of one Star Wars movie filming annually, typically starting in August. This timing could create a scheduling conflict, potentially limiting Ridley's availability for a significant role in any Star Wars production slated to begin filming in late 2026. While some speculate she could still make a cameo in Shawn Levy’s Starfighter (currently in production) or Simon Kinberg's mysterious trilogy, a major role might be tough to pull off if she's busy with Killa Bee.

Taking Their Time: Why Star Wars Isn't Rushing Rey's Next Chapter

But here's the twist: the delays might not be a bad thing, according to Ridley herself. In a February interview with THR, she actually defended the slower pace:

Daisy Ridley on Star Wars Delays:

"People have talked about it a lot that the release date often affects films and how quickly things go into production… So, the freedom to make sure that this script is the best way to tell this story is wonderful, and I don’t think any fans would want it to be rushed. The wait will be worth it. I know what George is working on, and he is a phenomenal writer. So, I’m really looking forward to reading it, and yes, it’s all worthwhile.”

She's got a point! Rushing films, especially massive ones, can lead to issues. Remember The Rise of Skywalker? Many felt it could've benefited from more time for rewrites, especially after Carrie Fisher's passing. Lucasfilm seems to agree, understanding that Rey is considered their "most important cinematic asset." They can't afford any missteps. The studio wants to ensure Rey's "New Jedi Order" movie is an absolute hit, whether it's Obaid-Chinoy's vision or something from Kinberg's overarching plans. This commitment to quality over speed means Ridley gets the best of both worlds: a guaranteed future in one of the world's biggest franchises while also having the freedom to pursue passion projects like Killa Bee.

So, while fans might have to wait a little longer to see Rey back in action, it sounds like Ridley is making the most of her time, delivering powerful performances in unique and challenging roles. We can't wait to see her transform into Bryony Tyrell and continue to impress us with her incredible talent!

Frequently Asked Questions About Daisy Ridley's 'Killa Bee' Movie

When is Daisy Ridley's 'Killa Bee' expected to begin production?

Production for Killa Bee is scheduled to kick off in the second quarter of 2026, meaning sometime between April and June of that year.

Who is Bryony Tyrell, the real-life person Daisy Ridley will portray?

Bryony Tyrell is a British ICU nurse, a mother of two with degrees in nursing and molecular biology, who also became a successful professional MMA fighter with a background in kickboxing and various martial arts.

Will 'Killa Bee' affect Daisy Ridley's Star Wars commitments?

The production schedule for Killa Bee in Q2 2026 could potentially limit Daisy Ridley's availability for a major role in a Star Wars film that might begin filming in August 2026. However, Ridley and Lucasfilm seem content with taking their time on the next Star Wars movie to ensure quality.

What other projects has Daisy Ridley been working on recently?

Besides the upcoming Killa Bee, Daisy Ridley has recently starred in the action film The Cleaner, the zombie thriller We Bury the Dead, and is in post-production for the romantic comedy The Last Resort. She also appeared in Sometimes I Think About Dying, The Marsh King's Daughter, and Magpie.

Sources

• ComicBook.com
• Deadline
• MovieWeb
• Dark Horizons
• Fantha Tracks
• Fightful
• Yahoo Entertainment
• See News
• MMA Mania