Star Wars is one of the most influential franchises in the history of cinema and pop culture. For such reason, it has been on everyone's lips for many years and has not been spared from criticism. Part of the community and critics have singled out the first 6 films of the saga for an alleged lack of diversity in its characters.
George Lucas, creator of the franchise, is aware of this, so he recently gave his opinion on the subject. The filmmaker made it clear that he disagrees with this perspective and explained why, from his point of view, Star Wars has never lacked diversity.
George Lucas denies lack of diversity in Star Wars
Thanks to a report from Variety, we know that George Lucas attended the Cannes Film Festival to receive the prestigious Palme d'Or award. Before accepting it, he talked a bit about the Star Wars films and touched on the alleged lack of diversity in the early days of the saga.
He recalled some of the criticisms that branded the early films for supposedly having characters played only by white men. He rebuked this stance and made it clear that the franchise has always been diverse in some form or another.
“Most of the people are aliens! The idea is you’re supposed to accept people for what they are, whether they’re big and furry or whether they’re green or whatever. The idea is all people are equal,” Lucas said.
He recalled that the saga has had actors such as Billy Dee Williams and Samuel Jackson, who played Lando Calrissian and Mace Windu. He further stated that the only beings that have been discriminated against in the saga are the robots.
“In the first one, there were a few Tunisians who were dark, and in the second one I had Billy Williams, and the [prequels], which they were also criticizing, I had Sam Jackson. He wasn’t a scoundrel like Lando. He was one of the top jedi,” added the filmmaker.
Finally, he highlighted the role that women have played in the franchise. He stressed that his heroines don't need to wear pants to stand out for their “ability to think, plan and be logistical.”
“Who do you think the heroes are in these stories? What do you think Princess Leia was? She’s the head of the rebellion. She’s the one that’s taking this young kid who doesn’t know anything and this boisterous, I-know-everything guy who can’t do anything and trying to save the rebellion with these clowns … And it’s the same thing with Queen Amidala,” Lucas concluded.
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