The debate surrounding diversity in Star Wars is reignited.
Tl;dr
- George Lucas defends diversity in Star Wars.
- He criticizes accusations of lack of diversity in the Star Wars universe.
- George Lucas highlights the role of women and characters of color in the saga.
- He acknowledges that the path to diversity is still long.
George Lucas defends diversity in Star Wars
George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars saga, recently spoke out in defense of the multicultural aspect of his universe. Diversity has always been a sensitive issue in the world of Star Wars, sparking lively debates among fans about the level of representation.
Lucas responds to criticisms
According to Variety, George Lucas addressed the issue at the Cannes Film Festival. “Some were saying: ‘They are all white men…’,” he lamented before responding to these criticisms. He believes that the majority of characters in Star Wars are aliens, and the idea is to accept people as they are, regardless of their appearance.
The idea is that all beings are equal… In the first film, there were a few Tunisians who were dark, and in the second, I had Billy Williams, and in the prequels, which were also criticized, I had Samuel L. Jackson. He wasn’t a scam artist like Lando. He was one of the best Jedi.
George Lucas also talked about the treatment of women in Star Wars, emphasizing that criticisms in this regard were not fair:
Who do you think the heroes are in these stories? What about Princess Leia? She leads the rebellion… It’s their brains and their ability to think, plan, and be logical. That’s the hero.
Diversity remains a struggle
However, even though George Lucas points out the presence of strong female characters and characters of color in his saga, diversity in Star Wars remains a topic of debate. For instance, despite the significant contribution of characters like Princess Leia or Lando Calrissian, some feel that these casting choices are not enough to ensure true diversity.
Furthermore, the fact that the saga has never been directed by a woman is a recurring criticism. However, director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy plans to change this with her film “New Jedi Order.”
What do we think?
It is undeniable that George Lucas has helped diversify the Star Wars universe, both in terms of gender and race. However, it is equally clear that the saga still has a long way to go to achieve truly equitable representation. Hopefully, the future will offer more opportunities for diversity, both in front of and behind the camera.