In a recent interview with The New York Times, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy discussed the troubling trend of female actors in the Star Wars universe facing significant online harassment. Kennedy emphasized that this issue is largely due to the fan base’s male dominance. This pattern was notably observed during the release of the most recent Star Wars film trilogy, where stars like Daisy Ridley and Kelly Marie Tran were severely targeted.
The Acolyte Faces Backlash Before Release
The latest series, The Acolyte, created by Leslye Headland, has already sparked controversy among certain factions of the fandom, despite it being set long before the events of The Phantom Menace. Headland, known for her work on Sleeping With Other People and co-creating Netflix’s acclaimed series Russian Doll, makes history as the first woman to serve as showrunner of a Star Wars series.
The show introduces new female characters such as Amandla Stenberg, Carrie Ann-Moss, and Jodie Turner-Smith. Nevertheless, parts of the fanbase have not responded positively. Comments on the trailer question the increasing number of women, girls, and minority characters in jedi roles.
Kennedy’s Stand for Diversity
My belief is that storytelling does need to be representative of all people.
Kennedy asserted her solidarity with Headland’s inclusive vision for The Acolyte.
Navigating Online Toxicity
Kennedy also noted the heightened challenges faced by women in powerful franchises like Star Wars. She mentioned,I think a lot of the women who step into ‘Star Wars’ struggle with this a bit more…
because they are subjected to personal attacks stemming from a male-dominated fan base. This has prompted Headland to limit her exposure to online discourse about her show to avoid toxic comments.
Support for Genuine Fans Only
Headland expressed understanding towards fans’ frustrations from past storytelling while making clear,I stand by my empathy for ‘Star Wars’ fans. But I want to be clear. Anyone who engages in bigotry, racism or hate speech … I don’t consider a fan.
The Acolyte is set to premiere today on Disney+, promising a fresh narrative focus and highlighting diverse perspectives within its storytelling fabric.
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