Daisy Ridley Reunites With Star Wars Alum In New Rom-Com: Release Window And Plot Revealed

Let’s talk about the next big rom-com with some serious Star Wars flavor. If you ever wondered what Daisy Ridley (yes, Rey herself) would do outside the galaxy—besides awkward interviews and half-visible indies—here comes your answer, complete with palm trees, career crises, and another familiar face from her lightsaber-swinging days.

Ridley & Ehrenreich: Not in Space Anymore

'The Last Resort' is the name. It's set to hit U.S. theaters in 2027, thanks to Vertical (they're the ones handling distribution stateside). International sales are being taken care of by Voltage Pictures—they're even touting this thing at Cannes, which should tell you they're expecting buyers to bite. And before you groan about movies sitting in editing limbo: it's already finished. No vaporware scenario here.

So, what's the plot? This time, Ridley’s trading in the Force for a corporate suit as a driven hotel executive from New York. She’s so dedicated to her job that she flies across the world to the Philippines to choose a fancy resort site—because why wouldn’t a rom-com heroine take an urgent work trip right as her life needs upending?

Cue Alden Ehrenreich (yes, Solo from the prequel that even diehards debate about), playing a chill expat pilot who practically runs on tropical breeze. Their banter? I’m guessing cocktail-fueled. But the antagonist here is Ridley’s own ambition: should she double down on the Manhattan hustle, or let her guard down for a shot at something (and someone) new? If you know your rom-com tropes, you know where this is going—but at least we’re swapping out Manhattan for eye-popping island shots.

Stacked Creative Team (With Actual Comedy Chops)

Here’s a reason for actual optimism: Donald Petrie is directing. He’s the guy behind 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,' so safe to say he knows his way around a formula... and how to sneak in emotional weight when needed. The script is by Karen McCullah—aka the brain behind 'Legally Blonde' and half your guilty-pleasure 2000s comedies. Producers say the pair-up was a no-brainer since Petrie ‘finds the heart’ and McCullah makes characters 'feel honest and lived-in'—not just Revlon ads with dialogue.

Some Familiar (and Surprising) Faces

• Daisy Ridley as the overachieving exec
• Alden Ehrenreich as the expat pilot/love interest
• Sam Neill (yes, the one from Jurassic Park, for those keeping score)
• Tia Carrere
• Jo Koy

If Sam Neill isn’t the curmudgeonly resort owner or ex-pat philosopher, I’ll eat my hat. Jo Koy and Tia Carrere? That’s a Filipino twist the movie’s actually banking on—it shot on location in the Philippines, and the studio swears the local setting is 'both a character and a destination.' Translation: expect drone shots, stunning beaches, and probably at least one cultural montage.

Is This Just a Rom-Com… Or Something More?

On the surface, the film is pretty straightforward: career vs. heart, New York vs. paradise, and two leads with Star Wars on their resumes trying not to pretend they’re above the genre. But there’s something charming about the risk—it wants to give you that old-school rom-com feeling and make the Philippines more than backdrop wallpaper.

'Donald has a real instinct for finding the heart in these kinds of stories, and Karen writes characters that feel honest and lived-in,' the producers said.

So, if you’re counting, that’s two Star Wars alums, a Jurassic Park cameo, actual screenwriters who’ve done this before, and some executive enthusiasm about visuals. 'The Last Resort' lands in 2027. Start planning your pretend vacation now.