In a recent interview with The New York Times, Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, discussed the unique challenges that women face within the Star Wars franchise. She noted that female cast members often endure more online attacks compared to their male counterparts because of the fan base being so male dominated.
This isn’t an isolated issue. Daisy Ridley, who portrayed Rey in the latest Star Wars trilogy, and Kelly Marie Tran, who played Rose Tico, have both openly shared their struggles with harassment from toxic fans.
The Acolyte Takes Center Stage
The upcoming Disney+ series, The Acolyte, helmed by showrunner Leslye Headland, is already facing its share of scrutiny. Set long before the events of The Phantom Menace, this series features prominent female characters played by Amandla Stenberg, Carrie Ann-Moss, and Jodie Turner-Smith.
Kennedy acknowledged that working on high-profile franchises can be daunting because of the intense scrutiny amplified by social media. She mentioned, Operating within these giant franchises now, with social media and the level of expectation — it’s terrifying…. Because of the fan base being so male dominated, they sometimes get attacked in ways that can be quite personal.
The Reality for Female Creators and Characters
Kennedy isn’t alone in addressing these challenges. Headland has deliberately limited her exposure to online comments to shield herself from toxicity. Reflecting on her position, she said, 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‘s narrative follows an investigation into a crime spree that pits characters Mae (Stenberg), Lee Jung-jae’s respected Jedi Master, and dark warrior Carrie’s character in highly choreographed battle sequences. This showcases Headland’s intent on delivering a story enriched with diversity and complex female roles, despite the backlash.
Moving Forward Despite Online Hate
History has shown that vocal minorities can create significant noise. Kennedy highlighted this when discussing her efforts to foster a safe environment at Lucasfilm: I have a responsibility to make sure that I have an environment where people feel safe to express their opinions, where people feel heard.
Meanwhile, Ridley admitted feeling nervous about returning as Rey in an upcoming untitled project, even after her successful trilogy run.
The Acolyte Will Debut June 4 on Disney+
The Acolyte premieres today on Disney+. As anticipation builds, the cast and crew remain focused on bringing fresh perspectives and inclusive stories to the beloved galaxy far, far away. Despite the backlash from certain fan segments, Kennedy and Headland continue to champion representation and empathy within the franchise.
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