Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has once again alienated “Star Wars” fans by saying that female employees of the franchise sometimes face personal attacks simply because the franchise has a predominantly male fanbase.
Kennedy was speaking about the new series “Acolyte,” which will be the franchise’s first show created by a woman. Filmmaker Leslye Headland plans to introduce a new leading female character to the series, which she made possible by creating a storyline that takes place long before the series’ chronological first film, “Episode One: The Phantom Menace.”
Ahead of the series’ release, Headland and Kennedy The New York TimesThe studio president is trying to pre-empt any criticism the new director might face.
“It’s my belief that stories need to represent all people,” Kennedy said. “It’s an easy decision for me.”
The new show certainly follows the studio’s new women-first motto, with actress Carrie-Anne Moss appearing as the newThe most powerful Jedi in the roomThe character practices a form of kung fu, which was directly inspired by Moss’ character in “The Matrix.”
“I don’t consider anyone who engages in bigotry, racism or hate speech to be a fan.”
Kennedy continued her argument that the films contained an unnecessary overabundance of woke characters, again targeting male “Star Wars” fans who take issue with her work.
“Now, working in such a huge franchise with social media and the increased level of expectations is intimidating,” she said. “I think Leslie struggled with that a little bit, and I think a lot of women who go into the Star Wars universe struggle with it even more. Because the fanbase is so male-dominated, you can get some pretty personal attacks at times.”
“As a fan myself, I know how frustrating past Star Wars storylines have been – I felt that myself,” she continued. “I have every empathy for Star Wars fans, but I want to be clear: I do not consider anyone who engages in bigotry, racism or hate speech a fan.”
Kennedy was parodied on “South Park” in late 2023 as a mere pandering attempt to “put girls” in every Disney project and “make it lame and gay.” I was upset by her portrayal.Kennedy has been full steam ahead with more woke projects.
Headland’s selection as showrunner marks the second major announcement by Lucasfilm in recent months that will put a woman at the forefront of a major Star Wars project.
Earlier this year, Pakistani-Canadian director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy called the female-focused Jedi film “something very special.”
“It’s time for women to come forward to shape the story of a galaxy far, far away,” she said, adding that this year is especially justified.
Regarding Headland, Lauren Chen of Blaze TV called her “wholly ill-prepared and unqualified to helm a Star War project.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRTyC_llcxw
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