'Star Wars: Episode 8' plot & cast news 2016: Daisy Ridley responds to claims that Rey is a 'Mary Sue'

"Star Wars: Episode 8" star Daisy Ridley recently acknowledged the claims that her character, Rey, is a "Mary Sue," saying that she found the whole thing confusing.

While Rey was an instant fan favorite and was widely praised for being a positive role model, there are still those who, having seen 2015's "Star Wars: Episode 7 - The Force Awakens," found flaws in the mysterious and powerful new heroine.

Some have dismissed the brave and kind-hearted young woman as a so-called "Mary Sue," a term used to describe an idealized character who saves the day with her seemingly perfect and completely unrealistic abilities. A "Mary Sue" is often recognized as an author's thinly veiled insert or a product of wish fulfillment.

Those who argued that Rey is a "Mary Sue" said the character is too inexplicably skilled to be a realistic member of the "Star Wars" universe.

In a recent interview on MTV News' "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, Ridley weighed in on the "Mary Sue" comments, saying, "The Mary Sue thing in itself is sexist because it's the name of a woman."

"Everyone was saying that Luke had the exact same [capabilities]," she said. "I think Rey is incredibly vulnerable, and nothing she's doing is for the greater good. She's just doing what she thinks is the right thing. And she doesn't want to do some of it, but she feels compelled to do it. So for me, I was just confused," she added.

Indeed, those who watched "The Force Awakens" closely would have seen that Rey was a vulnerable character. According to "Episode 7" director J.J. Abrams, Rey's vulnerability was one of the character's defining traits. This was particularly evident in the scene when the villain Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) was using the Force to interrogate Rey.

Interestingly, Abrams said that this was the scene that Ridley had to act out during her audition for "The Force Awakens." "This character needed to be vulnerable and tough, sweet and terrified," Abrams said, adding that it wasn't until the actress auditioned that they found someone who brought all these aspects of Rey to the table.

As for what "Episode 8" will reveal about the heroine, rumors indicate that the film could unveil the truth about the character's parentage.

"Star Wars: Episode 8" will debut on Dec. 15, 2017.