Olivia Cooke reflects on unsuccessful Star Wars audition for Rey

Olivia Cooke, known for her role as Alicent Hightower in "House of the Dragon," has shared details about her unsuccessful audition for the coveted role of Rey in the 2015 Star Wars film "The Force Awakens." Speaking on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, Cooke admitted that she auditioned multiple times for the part ultimately played by Daisy Ridley.

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I did audition a few times for the other one, where Daisy Ridley got [the role of Rey]… The first one.

"I think I auditioned once in L.A. and then once with J.J. [Abrams]," Cooke recalled, referring to the film's director. "And I was s, . I was really bad."

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I think I auditioned once in L.A. and then once with J.J. [Abrams]. And I was s, . I was really bad.

She elaborated on the audition experience, explaining, "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?" Cooke acknowledged that Ridley was the right fit for the role, stating, "Daisy did such an amazing job. I just wasn’t that kind of actor at that time. It wasn’t a fit."

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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?

Cooke also touched upon other career disappointments, including a screen test for the remake of "Endless Love" when she was 19. She confessed that the role, which went to Gabriella Wilde, was a significant heartbreak at the time, leading her to question her future acting prospects. Despite these early setbacks, Cooke has since achieved considerable success, starring in films like "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl," "Ready Player One," and "Sound of Metal," and gaining widespread recognition for her performance in "House of the Dragon."

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Daisy did such an amazing job. I just wasn’t that kind of actor at that time. It wasn’t a fit.