Official: Lupita Nyong’o and Gwendoline Christie Join the Star Wars: Episode 7 Cast!
From StarWars.com:
Lupita Nyong’o joins the recently announced cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. This year, her breakthrough performance in 12 Years a Slave earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Gwendoline Christie, currently starring in the hit television series Game of Thrones as Brienne of Tarth, has also been cast in the production. She can next be seen in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2…
“I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII,” says Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “It’s thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape.”
Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the Saga Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.
Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.
Born on April 24, 1980.
Awesome news! congrats to both! Any reason why these two were announced together I wonder? Beyond the “yes, we added two more females to the cast!”. 🙂
Possibly that reason alone. A lot of people had problems with the big male-centric cast. I think announcing 2 females at once was a good move from LucasFilm to show there’s more diversity than we thought.
Food for thought – I don’t know if I found the right stats or not, but Google reported Gwendoline Christie as 1.9 meters tall (around 6ft 2). She would make an imposing NightSister if that other picture is what some think it is.
Wikipedia actually lists her as 6 ft 3. She’s amazing in Game of Thrones and a very imposing figure there too! Can’t wait to see her in VII. Awesome news.
Chewies love interest?
We don’t need any nightsisters.
Or, you know, she could just play a regular human character. Tall women are regular people too. The great thing about Star Wars is that creatures of all heights can be equals (Chewie, Ewoks, etc).
Rumor is that she is playing a stormtrooper who defected from Empire.
I don’t think Chewie does one night stands.
Pics from above certainly aren’t the best.
Is that Lupita in photo 44 of the TMZ series?
I was wondering that too. Sure kinda looks like her doesn’t it…
No. It’s another actress who happens to be black.
Lupita doesn’t have a gap in her front teeth. There are only extras in those pics. I think they were official “leaks.”
I thought the eyes and the mouth looked quite similar, though it does seem like their complexions may not be the same. (I’ve really only seen a few photos of Lupita, so I’m just going off of those.)
so cool
I hope that Gwendoline is in some lightsaber action
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBPviD44qJw
realy good with a blade.
Now are they dark jedis or maybe nightsisteres? I hope so.
or can Gwendoline be Lukes wife if he gets one.
Mark hamill is way too old for her.
What, Luke can’t get any robbing the cradle action?
Not when he’s old enough to be her father.
There won’t be a Mara Jade…She wasn’t canon!
More power to Luke if it’s the case! LOL!
Anon, did someone mention Mara’s name? I don’t recall. Let me scroll back and look……….nope.
well some latex will do the trick. 😉
Latex? Luke using protection? Stand up guy!
Creepy old man Skywalker.
My schwarts is bigger than your schwarts!
Last scene of Episode VII – Luke Skywalker in bed smoking a death stick with his new wife, played by Gwendoline Christie. “Well, that was a close one, now to tell Adam Driver that I’m his father by Mon Mothma.”
She is twice as tall as Luke, that might be a little awkward.
WE DO NOT GIVE A SHIT IF MARA ISN’T CANON…DISNEY AND THEIR MOUSE ISN’T CANON
Fortunately for you Mickey won’t be making any appearances in the saga…yet 😉
Perfect! Love this news! Gwendoline Christie would be a great Asajj Ventress IMO. Lupita Nyong’o is amazing too, but the required white face (and it would be required to fit with canon) would be a little weird.
And for the record, I find the “there aren’t enough females in the cast” to be P.C. B.S.
I just love that they are part of the cast because they are great actors.
So JJ and Lawrence Kasdan were being P.C when they decided they wanted 4 female characters??? .. wow. Can’t do anything remotely normal these days without someone thinking it’s somehow a tragedy.
Gwendoline Christie would not be a good Asajj Ventress.
This is why PC police make it bad for everyone else. An argument erupts about a random two actresses being announced. Wish people would get past this kind of crap.
“So JJ and Lawrence Kasdan were being P.C when they decided they wanted 4 female characters??? .. wow.”
I said no such thing. I was referring to all the complaints made when they first announced the cast. JJ and Kasdan never said there weren’t enough females, that was the criticism against them. I was simply saying that I am not supporting the new cast members simply because they are female as some undoubtedly would given the outcry.
Where’s Jeffery with the head count? He’s the official score keeper of male/female ratio.
And to clarify again (because some people don’t read entire comments before they jump on them) I LOVE the new casting announcement. But I love it BECAUSE they are amazing and perfect for Star Wars.
“Gwendoline Christie would not be a good Asajj Ventress.”
Um.. Why? http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/multimedia/archive/00559/TMM05GWEN1_a_559040b.jpg
“I said no such thing. I was referring to all the complaints made when they first announced the cast. JJ and Kasdan never said there weren’t enough females, that was the criticism against them.”
So people who said they want a handful of female characters are bad, but JJ and Lawrence who clearly also wanted a handful of female characters are not bad?? Well that’s really logical..
Can you guys just chill? It’s Star Wars, be happy!
Yah really can we stop calling people PC nazi’s for liking female characters and black characters or whatever. Grow up and get some morals people
Yeah, love it when someone talks about peace and love while taking a stab at a particular group.
To the anon commentor who first said “PC BS” let me remind you that if Episode VII was 90% women, you would have a real problem. You are just a hater who is butt hurt because JJ and Kathleen actually did something different from the Original Trilogy, which is make more women viewers happy.
“So people who said they want a handful of female characters are bad, but JJ and Lawrence who clearly also wanted a handful of female characters are not bad?? Well that’s really logical.”
No.. People who want quotas for the sake of having quotas are “bad.”
“can we stop calling people PC nazi’s for liking female characters and black characters or whatever.”
There is a big difference between “liking female characters and black characters or whatever.” and putting them in films to fill a politically correct quota. You people are completely ignoring that I love this casting. You act as if I hate that there are women in Star Wars and refuse to follow any other line of reason. You clearly ignore everything else I have said because you only care about your precious narrative. I actually think the lead should be female, but not because I’m a PC Nazi, but because it would make for an interesting story dynamic. You are only proving that you are illogical, P.C. police, race card players who only want to fill quotas. As long as people are being cast based on good storytelling and their acting skill I don’t give a damn what color, race, or creed they are from. Just give me good Star Wars and leave your politics at the stinking door!
Personally, I’m happy. In fact, I got precisely what I wanted, which was Lupita Nyong’o and another female actress. I for one am not going to bring up the gender imbalance because it looks pretty balanced at this point.
I only wish some of you guys would show the same kind of respect when it comes to talking about the prequels, clone wars, and EU.
Nice story babe, now go make me a sandwich.
“There is a big difference between “liking female characters and black characters or whatever.” and putting them in films to fill a politically correct quota. You people are completely ignoring that I love this casting. You act as if I hate that there are women in Star Wars and refuse to follow any other line of reason. You clearly ignore everything else I have said because you only care about your precious narrative. I actually think the lead should be female, but not because I’m a PC Nazi, but because it would make for an interesting story dynamic. You are only proving that you are illogical, P.C. police, race card players who only want to fill quotas. As long as people are being cast based on good storytelling and their acting skill I don’t give a damn what color, race, or creed they are from. Just give me good Star Wars and leave your politics at the stinking door!”
This.
Why does it have to be “balanced” at all. There isn’t balance in real life. Movies would be boring if there was an “exact” balance of sex and color. I would never complain if there were more women then men or more of one race over whites. The only reason to complain is due to an agenda or an obvious lack where there would be none in real life (like no black people in NYC or no Asians in a Universe where China is supposed to be a dominant culture – Looking at you Joss!).
And while we are at it, why is no one complaining that there are no Asians or Indians (from India) in the cast. And how about Little People in the main cast without masks! Represent!
Anon 8:15 PM
Answer me yes or no:
If you were a woman would you be happy that 9 out of 10 characters aren’t like you?
Anon 8:05
“leave politics at the stinking door.”
Politics infiltrate every aspect of filmmaking, in case you haven’t noticed. Always have. Always will.
“Politics infiltrate every aspect of filmmaking, in case you haven’t noticed. Always have. Always will.”
Doesn’t mean that it is right.
Anon at 8:25pm “If you were a woman would you be happy that 9 out of 10 characters aren’t like you? “
10 out of 10 characters aren’t like me regardless if they’re male or female… because I define myself by the things I do and the skills I have not how many parts I have where…
Anon at 8:25pm “If you were a woman would you be happy that 9 out of 10 characters aren’t like you? “
10 out of 10 characters aren’t like me regardless if they’re male or female… because I define myself by the things I do and the skills I have not how many parts I have where…
Anon at 8:25pm “If you were a woman would you be happy that 9 out of 10 characters aren’t like you? “
10 out of 10 characters aren’t like me regardless if they’re male or female… because I define myself by the things I do and the skills I have not how many parts I have where…
Anon at 8:25pm “If you were a woman would you be happy that 9 out of 10 characters aren’t like you? “
10 out of 10 characters aren’t like me regardless if they’re male or female… because I define myself by the things I do and the skills I have not how many parts I have where…
Asajj Ventress converts a young night sister and re-starts the sith…
Or use their brains to create something new.
Why so snarky? Of course it could be something new, but unless you have theories, what’s the discussion? Things we do know is that this is Episode 7–9, that is, part of a long arc. It’s not going to be 100% new. There will need to be connections to the past and the established. I find it interesting to look at what the final season of the clone wars decided to focus on and include, either for setting up Ep.VII or stuff in Rebels. A couple relevant things in that final season were more night sister stuff and immortality (i.e. familiar characters, particularly on the dark side since we already knew about good-guy force ghosts…).
I would rather they are a new type of Force user rather than more Sith. I like the idea of a third way to use the Force that combined “magic” with the Force. I don’t see Asajj wanting to be a Sith based on what I have seen of her character in TCW, which IS canon.
I have had an idea since the Sequels were announced that would see a new group of Force users being created by the end of the series that aren’t evil and yet do not follow the Jedi ways. My idea involved a group of Jedi corrupting the new order from within and framing Luke as a fallen Jedi like his father (perhaps revealed to the public for the first time in the Sequels). These “Jedi” would be a group advocating a return to the old ways of no attachment and taking only children as Jedi. Behind Luke’s back they would also be stealing children, taking them to a hidden facility, and killing any Force users who refused to join the Jedi, justifying there actions as stopping a new Sith from emerging. Think the vigilante cops in Magnum Force. I thought it would be interesting if this group was actually led by the Nightsisters and they had been plotting for years to overthrow the Jedi and replace them. The other group of Force users would be made up of those that escaped being killed by the “Jedi” and possibly being led by Luke himself. The real Jedi and this new group (not necessarily organized but doing what they pleased while using the Force in harmony) would then co-exist in peace by the end.
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This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
I think we’re going to be seeing, Asajj Ventress and Ahsoka Tano! Think about it, they’re fan favorites at Disney show for kids. And they want to bring in more female fan base.. These two characters are to do it!
If Ahsoka was alive during the OT it undermines so much of the “last remaining hopes” storyline.
No way thats going to happen.
It’d only undermine the OT if you assume Yoda would know of her existence. No reason to assume that. She never became a full Jedi and it’s not like Yoda could conjure up where she went into hiding. But that said, I don’t expect to see Ahsoka.
Why would they stress the fact that Luke was the galaxy’s last hope if that were the case? Why wouldn’t they just call on ashoka for help to begin with, instead of starting from scratch with Luke?
Because Ahsoka is in Hiding and exiled from jedi.
I suspect they will cover what happened to Ahsoka in the comics.
I would like to point out that ONLY Luke and Leia were the last hopes. This is because only through the children of Anakin Skywalker could Vader be brought back to the light side and become Anakin again. Any other Jedi alive (Kanan?) don’t factor into the last hope discussion because they would not have been able to turn Vader back.
Who knows, maybe Ahsoka was frozen in a block of carbonite throughout the OT? But I doubt they will bring in characters from the animated show, even though the level of canon is technically the same. The live-action movies should be kept more or less self-contained. If Ahsoka suddenly turns up and is introduced as the one-time apprentice of Anakin Skywalker, a LOT of people would ask: “Huh? I don’t remember Anakin having any padawan in the prequels.”
Yoda and Ben weren’t trying to turn Vader back, so it wouldn’t have mattered that the “last hope” was a Skywalker, but I get what you’re trying to say.
OK, I’m really confused now. Anyone know the story of that pic?
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=828412
Was it removed from here? Viral?
They were told to remove it by Disney or Lucasfilm reps.
ehm… I don’t know why there’s so much noise around Asajj Ventress, but with all that “let’s do like the OT” stuff I really doubt that they’ll take characters from the prequels or frome TCW. I also believe they wouldn’t bring in a live action form any character born as a cartoon in TCW. Moreover, I guess Gwendoline isn’t thin enough to portray Ventress (not meaning she’s fat, ugly or something)
Ok good I’m not the only one haha.
Canon is canon. Just because they want the feel of OT doesn’t mean they wouldn’t put ties into the PT or TCW. I believe the have to put some references in there so they can tie the canon together. They know there are plenty of PT and TCW fans out there and wouldn’t want to leave them out. And just because you don’t like TCW doesn’t mean they will portray any character from it in the exact same way.
As far as Gwendoline as Ventress, remember the age involved. I could imagine Gwendoline playing an imposing old witch version of Ventress who is training a new young nightsister much more in the Ventress mold (as we know it).
We don’t know Asajj Ventress’s age…she could age like wookies and yoda’s race does.
Everyone bear in mind that events during the TCW took place ~50 years before epVII.. TCW/PT characters would be quite elderly the ST.
Disney will pat you on the head and say , he’s a new tv show and here new Star Wars Rebels merchandise get it while you can. But better believe these word , Disney will not let a cartoon dictate or influence a live acton movie franchise. The Clone Wars was George Lucas but now he’s gone, and the only reason Star Wars Rebels is being made is to get “kids” excited to go see the new movie.
She can play an old ventress just look at Ian as the Emporer in Return of the Jedi.
Thanks Duke couldn’t have said it better.
Duke I’m sorry to say this but you are very wrong about that. Rebels is deeply connected to EpVII. They said to look for the clues to the new film in the CW and Rebels. Rumor that a new version of Mara Jade is going to be introduced in Rebels at some point. Her name won’t be Mara but she will absolutely end up in the same role as Mara. If you don’t want to watch Star Wars Rebels because you think it is only being directed at “kids”, thats just silly because Disney knows that all the true Star Wars fans are going to watch this show. Yes lots of kids are going to watch this show and it will be because there parents are watching it with them or because they are already a Star Wars fan. Disney has to know this based on the CW. It is going to be the same crowd watching Rebels. Little kids are not going to be watching this show on there own. It is through parents that Star Wars is passed down to the next generation.
There is no such thing as a true Star Wars fan and it will not be deeply connected. This show will be cancelled after two maybe three seasons, and to tell you the truth Disney does not care that much about hardcore Star Wars fans. All they really care about is the mass movie going audience.
LOLZ
Jeeeze Enough with TCW already. Those characters were so dull and sterile! That show made light saber duels boring. I vote for interesting and unique characters not Filoni Cliches.
Bla Bla Bla…
Really? I thought TCW did much better with the characterizations than the prequel movies. The basically had their own take on Anakin; the right way to do Anakin. Padme had more depth in not making things so black and white politically. Obi-Wan was more dynamic and not so one-dimensional. Sure, some episodes and sequences were just plain cartoon entertainment, but when they dealt with the characters, it was much more well done than the PT, imho.
Aras you are spot on. TC and TCW were sterile and uninteresting child-pandering.
PT, excuse me.
Aras and JAR JAR sitting in a tree together… mahahahaha LOL j/k
Yup Anakin in the TCW was how they should have done him in the movies.
I have to agree that I thought the Clone Wars TV show to be better than the Prequel films,
My only problem with TCW was when they got into real world politics. Which was too often and too overt. Halle Burtoni, anyone?
Anakin was waaaay too nice in TCW! He was on his way to becoming darth Vader, not a 3rd grade math teacher or whatever. I thought Anakin was disappointing in both PT and CW toons. I didn’t like whiny/ creepy stalker Anakin and I didn’t like 3rd grade math teacher Anakin. Obi wan was laaaaaaaaaaaaaaame in TCW.
The Clone Wars by Genndy Tartakovsky 2003-2005 had the best Anakin Skywalker.
The more I think about it, the more it seems odd that Asajj Ventress would be a villain. I thought her character seemed to be turning good. Remember “the new me.” I actually thought that she might be the mother of Obi-Wan’s supposed child (or grandmother to his grandchild). They were pretty flirtatious after all.
Then again, who knows, maybe Asajj did turn back to evil (or at least wanted to start the Nightsisters again) and left Obi-Wan on Tatooine without telling him she was pregnant. Then she raised their daughter as a Nightsister who also used the Force…
tcw storylines make me want to vom
“tcw storylines make me want to vom”
So what? That has nothing to do with what the Sequels may do with the characters.
no
Seriously people.Gwendoline Christie would make an awesome Asajj.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/multimedia/archive/00559/TMM05GWEN1_a_559040b.jpg
Nope.
Looks like something from Mad Max series, actually.
“Nope.”
Well put, sir. You have swayed me with your amazing argumentation!
Sometimes, fewer words are the best argument.
Seriously! http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BkEX7ihIIAAfHrV.jpg:medium
Maybe this will appease the shrieking feminazis.
No, they’ll be clamoring for more. The more they get, the more they want. It’s like feeding a stray dog. If you dare feed a stray dog, you’re stuck with ’em!
they’ll soon return …… and in greater numbers.
^ WIN
“they’ll soon return …… and in greater numbers.”
HAHA. Perfect!
You are very good at making people feel bad for wanting more characters who represent over half the worlds population. You guys are just butt hurt because men aren’t 100% dominant in this film.
“shrieking Feminazis?”
Seems to me like the only people “shrieking” here are the stubborn men who can’t stand seeing women as more than 5% of the cast of Star Wars VII.
Go listen to Rush Limbaugh and leave the adults alone to talk about their space fantasy.
Or maybe we’re perfectly fine with this addition. Unlike the shrieking feminazis for whom nothing ever seems to satisfy.
Besides. It’s Star Wars. Not Star Equal Representation.
I don’t have any problems with female action heroes. But women who engage in warfare tend to look like this:
http://afemalemarine.com/2010/03/female-marines-in-the-media-52.html
Not like glamour models from a tween fashion magazine.
“they’ll soon return …… and in greater numbers.” – prophetic words…..
AnonymousJune 2, 2014 at 7:56 PM
AnonymousJune 2, 2014 at 8:00 PM
GlossonJune 2, 2014 at 8:01 PM
I’m assuming there will be more. We should not have fed them. Homer Simpson “Doh!!!!!”
Oh, look who’se mad. Anon 8:02! By the way moron, films are not some magical part of your childhood (which you probably think it is,) it is a product created by a group of people, and this same group constantly finds ways to make it accessible to contemporary audiences (which is why the movies have all changed since the first Episode in 1977.) If you want to go dick-crazy about how evil it is for an individual wanting to see more women in a film, go right ahead. But I for once applaud the efforts of JJ and Kathleen for including more women who make up over half the population. It’s you Third Reich masculinists that are the problem. While you’re at it, complain about the evolution of special effects in film. Because of people like you, we’d still be watching grainy black and white television with all-white casts like the 1950s.
Why are you people so full of hate? Am I really bad because I want to see a film where there are more people who look like me? You guys are trying to make me ashamed for being a woman and for wanting to see my own sex represented in this film…
^it’s ok. these guys are just angry because Star Wars is slowly becoming less of a boys club and more of….everybody’s club.
Original Trilogy fanatics= Tea Party Republicans.
We should call them Tea Party Star Wars fans.
Re: 8:14 PM
No one is mad here.
But you need to settle down, because you’re arguing against points that no one has made.
Ultimately, you’re really just proving my point. Here’s two more female cast members, which is perfectly fine, and the shrieking harridans are still angry. Someone should probably lace the nation’s water supply with Midol or something.
Re: Anon 8:17 PM
Not at all.
What we’re really trying to get across, is that it’s simply not your place to make demands about the nature of a story that someone else is telling.
You PC guys are acting like it’s the 1960’s! You think that you’re standing up for a cause like Women’s lib or civil rights. Let me tell you something, you’re no MLK Jr’s. If you know what it was like in the 1960’s then you’d know that we’ve come a long way. It is YOU are now stirring the hate. It is YOU that is the racist or chauvinist/feminist!
You want a cause to fight for? Do you realize there are MILLIONS upon MILLIONS who don’t get enough to eat everyday? Where’s your PC BS on that? If you really cared about making the world a better place you’d be at your local food market with a shopping cart full of food for your local food pantry.
Find a real cause instead of making something that brings joy for so many into some kind of political statement.
Re: Anon 8:19 PM
That’s a deeply stupid comment. It always was everybody’s club.
If there’s any irritation at all, it would be that it might be becoming more of a Disney-ized cosplay celebration with really expensive special effects, rather than a semi-gritty take on the old 30s and 40s Sci-Fi serials. But even that judgement is premature considering no one has even seen a trailer much less the film yet.
Ultimately you need to stop parroting your clueless professors. Remember, the worthless garbage they’re teaching you in schools and universities was developed with the use of LSD and other mind altering substances. That’s why most of you won’t be graduating with any employable skills. And while these words may make you angry now, the reality of it will hit you post-graduation. I’m truly sorry for that.
^^ Amen
Look who’s going off topic! There are many forms of oppression, but this forum is addressing the subject of gender imbalance, not starving children. (by the way, I donate to charity, do YOU?) The power of film and media is extremely important because the entire country watches these films, as carefully and obsessively as you and I. Star Wars is the myth and legends of our time, for not just men, but all the “others” in this country you don’t want to admit are slowly becoming the nation’s majority. When a young girl watches Star Wars and only sees Leia or Padme or Zam Wessell representing her own sex, how do you think that makes her feel? Ever think about putting yourself in the shoes of girls? If you do, perhaps you will see what I’m talking about. Wanting more women as main protagonists in films is NOT a “politically correct bull shit” issue but something called “being fair.” Calling me a chauvinist/feminist does not help your argument either, as if a “feminist” is a dirty word. Go ahead and crucify me for wanting more women in Star Wars. You have yet to give me one good reason why I am at fault for wanting this and why bringing up the issue is in some way a bad “PC BS” motivation.
“oppression” – typical grand standing speak.
Anon 8:28
Ha!! So not only am I bad for wanting to see more women in film but I am bad for talking like a University professor? You are so funny! For one thing, University professors actually strive to do a bit of research, read books, converse with other experts in specific topics, and don’t just… sit around all day watching Star Wars. Second, how exactly do you know I don’t have a high paying job due to a college education? You just don’t know. What is your fulltime career, Anon, a gas station worker? I don’t know you, nor do I want to, but should stop making personal attacks when you have no clue as to who anonymous commenters are. You just crack me up. “worthless garbage they teach you in schools..” Let’s all act uneducated to each other! that’s SURE to solve every problem!
“Re: Anon 8:17 PM
Not at all.
What we’re really trying to get across, is that it’s simply not your place to make demands about the nature of a story that someone else is telling.”
ha! ha! ha! ha! Tell me again what you did when George Lucas made the prequels? Oh, that’s right, you made demands about the nature of a story that Lucas was telling!
Anon 8:43, you liked it well enough when you watched Star Wars the first time. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be posting on this site. If you were so offended by the previous movies, why did you like them? Want to change the NFL, too?
And they’re off!! The Tea Party Star Wars fans, who criticize women for wanting to see women in movies, shriek and have a fit!
So much for “shrieking feminazis.” You Tea Party Star Wars fans shriek even louder.
Who threw fits first, the shrieking feminazis or the tea party OT fans? The world may never know.
Re: Anon 8:37 PM
I’m just not even sure how to respond because most of what you’re saying is responding to points that no on is making.
I’ve never even said anything about there being too many women in the films, or anything like that, so I truly have no idea who you’re responding to.
In fact, if you look through this thread, I’ve already said that this casting is fine, but that I’d prefer women who look more like they’ve seen battle than those who look they should be on the cover of Tiger Beat.
So I honestly have no idea who you’re even talking to.
Look, let’s juxtapose this for a second. Let’s take Han Solo for instance. The classic masculine hero, which apparently is a problem or something.
Let’s imagine Lucas had cast Han Solo with a less rugged actor, say Justin Bieber. How believable would that have been?
So that’s the point I’m trying to get across, which unfortunately for you, has nothing whatsoever to do with sexism, misogyny, misandry, or any other imaginary representational victimization nonsense.
I would ask you though, if you’re currently writing any stories, how much control over the narratives are you prepared to hand over to others?
@Anon 8:46
I like Star Wars for the fact that each one was different. I like the prequels because the design, special effects, and characters were different. Did you read that? CHARACTERS. Mace Windu was the first Black jedi shown on screen. I like that. Zam Wessell was the first female bounty hunter shown on screen. I like that. And ever since 1977, I’ve wanted to see a female (or african american actor) lead Star Wars. We may finally get this wish. I am excited. And no, I don’t watch the NFL, but they need also need to make many changes in how they are run too, which I’m sure is being done.
Re: Anon 8:51 PM
Whoever wasted their time writing multiple paragraph long screeds about this silliness.
Anon 8:51
Aha, I think I understand the source of your anger. You have misinterpreted most feminists and fighters for equality. We want EQUALITY, not to take away macho males like Han Solo. Keep Han Solo the way he is. That’s fine. I have no problem. Keep the masculine jedi. Keep all that. However, give us more variety. Give us some women jedi, a women Han Solo character, etc…
Re: Anon 8:46 PM
Not at all.
I originally didn’t care for them, but have since warmed up to them. But I never demanded that he should have had more dwarf characters, or more disabled characters, more Siamese twins, or more paraplegics, or more people with dandruff, or whatever, mainly because I’m not constantly feeling sorry for myself.
So much anger for such a little thing. Women main characters. Is that such a bad thing to want?
If you guys can go on and on about how bad Jar Jar is, than we have every right to address the bigger issues of racism/ sexism, etc in these films. It’s what we Star WAs fans do: critique movies and think of ways to improve them.
Anon @ 8:57
Seeing more paraplegics or disabled characters (and everything else you mentioned) is fine and dandy….
…but let’s learn to walk before we run, why don’t we?
How about representing the majority of this country first? (aka women.)
Re: Anon 8:43 PM
No. I’m sorry. They don’t.
I had the fortunate experience of returning to school later in life, and was able to see first hand what is happening through the eyes of a mature adult with decades of life experience under my belt. Today’s professors are barely able to muster passable grammar in the very syllabii and hand-outs that they themselves write. As I said, these words will anger you now, but post-graduation when you find that there aren’t any employers seeking to hire people who know the things they’re teaching you about in school, these words might come back to haunt you, and you’ll be even angrier. I really am truly and sincerely sorry for that.
My full time position is in the entertainment industry as an animator and editor.
I’m just satisfied that there are two more women characters in this film. Nobody’s going to ruin my day… I’m just sad that some of these men can’t see it, so they just spend their time bashing those who support women in film. (As a woman, some of you guys’ comments offend me. It’s as if you’re saying I’m not worthy of Star Wars.)
You’re not.
“they’ll soon return …… and in greater numbers.” – Prophetic words, indeed!
Anon 9:03,
Well I also work in the oh-so-fickle entertainment industry too, so I can relate to your experiences. You must have had some really bad professors, because I learned quite a bit from my University experiences and colleagues. True, our educational system is screwed up, but there’s reason we shouldn’t act like rational human beings and seek to make a better future and, in the case of Star Wars, a better film fit for 21st Century audiences.
Anon 9:08? Please go to hell.
Re: Anon 8:56 PM
Well, no you don’t. First of all because there isn’t any anger here. I’m actually in a quite jovial mood at the moment. Second of all because your interpretation has nothing to do with the points I’ve made.
You may want equality in all caps; fine. But pay particular note to how I’m not arguing against that.
What I am saying is that casting glamour model types as rugged fighters is dumb. Very dumb. I have no problem whatsoever with female heroes and villains on the battlefield. But they ought to look like this:
http://afemalemarine.com/2010/03/female-marines-in-the-media-52.html
Rather than this:
http://www.pinterest.com/darknight29d/starwars-cosplay-girls/
So for the umpteenth time, this has nothing whatsoever to do with not wanting women in Star Wars. I’m not sure how many times I’m going to have to make this point before it finally breaks through the crusading feminism.
Re: 9:01 PM
Majority? But wait a second. I thought we wanted perfect equal representation. You know, equality in all caps.
This is all getting ridiculous. We should all drop this topic because it’s too much hate growing.
The hate is swelling in you now. With each passing moment you make yourself more my servant.
“The hate is swelling in you now. With each passing moment you make yourself more my servant.”
A++
Anon 9:16, right. Equality. And here’s a new’s flash for you: there aren’t a lot of women in Star Wars but there are a lot of them in the real world. If men can dictate how few women appear in a film despite the fact that they are the minority, than surely they can include a few more on film. The perfect world scenario is a more-or-less equal male/female ratio, but with men like you running Hollywood, a 3:2 male:women ratio would do at this point.
Re: Anon 9:11 PM
I went to one of the top 25 film schools in America. What I learned there I could have gained from a couple of good books on film making for $24.95. In most cases professors are highly paid because they have tenure, not necessarily because they’re competent, which usually isn’t the case. The lectures you’ll be sitting through, particularly those of the politically charged variety, are rants that you can hear from any average drunk on a bar stool. Unfortunately, students are paying thousands for this, and subsequently employers are wondering why graduates don’t have any skills.
What exactly is wrong with people angry about the lack of women in Star Wars? I mean, you OT morons complain and screech your dick off over jar jar binks… and he’s a creature that doesn’t exist! Please explain to me why it’s “OK” to diss the Phantom Menace for 15 years and why it’s “not OK” to discuss the topic of women in film and media.
Can’t you just feel the Love? “Anon 9:08? Please go to hell.”
I think we should all just stop before we really start to destroy ourselves.
Re: Anon 9:29 PM
I feel that these kinds of mandates are poor methods for storytelling. It would essentially wipe clean stories like George Lucas’ Red Tails, Sucker Punch, Fried Green Tomatoes, Do The Right Thing, Roll Bounce, Coyote Ugly, or any of these:
http://movies.allwomenstalk.com/awesome-movies-with-an-all-female-cast
How dreadfully boring the world would be if all stories were representationally equal. Frankly I want different representations in my stories because I want to experience and be exposed to things and ideas that I otherwise might not be able to in real life.
Good link.
Re: Anon 9:31 PM
It’s just so weird how people insist on arguing against points that no one makes. Who are you talking to? What specific points made here are you addressing?
I think what she is angry about is a personal attack to her kind, PC Nazies. I don’t believe she’s upset about anything in particular.
Or maybe she’s upset about everything in general.
I think you’re right.
@ Rebel ScumJune 2, 2014 at 9:32 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUIEFp9_1nI
It’s like, they want to be angry about people who don’t want more women in Star Wars.
But I’ve never seen anyone seriously argue that they don’t want more women in Star Wars. In fact if you review this thread, you’ll see that no one here made that point. Not once.
But they want to make these grandiose supposedly truth-to-power feminist statements on behalf of their cause. So in order to do that, they have to fabricate the counter point to argue against, which again, nobody made.
It’s weird.
Agreed Anon 11:12. So, can we hopefully just drop this inane topic NOW?!? (its only been going on, just like this, since the initial cast announcement, when logically we all should have known they were not done…)
@anon 8.08 You obviously haven’t seen Kate Upton’s bazookas!
Oh, for crying out loud. This needs to stop. Think of me as a mediator, as I am willing to go the extra mile to sum up all of your points to end the argument.
Firstly, to be fair at the beginning of this list of rants the word ‘feminazis’ was dished out, and it was not until six posts later that someone spoke up against it. This is something that has been happening on many boards as of late (and I read all of them) as such even when no one makes an argument someone has to poke and prod them until they do.
The arguments thus far are that people need to stop over-complaining about equality when prejudice is not what is intended by JJ and company, women/men of all races/genders deserve to be equally represented, Han should not look like Justin Bieber and school may or may not have its’ merits.
That is it. That is all this is in a nut-shell. An entire page of complaints, summed up in a few mere sentences. Let it go… calm your inner rage as no one person HAS to be right… you are all winners. For people who just want Star Wars we got a bunch more pics of Episode VII, for those who want more women cast we got two knew female cast members, for people who do not want Justin Bieber to play a role… rest assured, he intends to never be seen fully clothed again, so at best the only door this opens for him is playing a female twi’lek slave in Jabba’s palace and as for school it is there for better or worse. See… it is all good.
@ 11:42 PM
It will never be dropped. Here we are, two more female roles just announced, and they’re STILL angry. The shrieking harridans will never be satisfied.
Unfortunately, you are probably right…
This is shaping up to be an amazing case. Especially curious about Lupita and Oscar Isaac’s roles, considering they were both in great films last year. The addition of Brienne also adds intrigue. Overall, I’m surprised by the sheer size of the cast (numbers, not height). It makes me think that this movie will be huge in scope. Wondering if some of these younger adults could be an entire “class” of Jedi’s who studied under Luke.
Lupita as Tano. Most definitely. Way I see this: Luke dies in Ep VII (his too important politically and “magically” to stay alive), then Tano begins to train young Solo. On the top of that we can throw dialogue like:
Tano to Daisy: I abandon your grandfather, I won’t abandon you.
I am tired of old/wise/calm Jedi Masters. I would like somebody like Kyle Katarn, like Jolee Bindo, like… Ahsoka.
Besides fact, that technically she is not a Jedi anymore can make for a nice plot arc.
hell. no.
Nope.
“I am tired of old/wise/calm Jedi Masters.”
Wow
Oh can we please stop with this asaj ventress rubbish. Why not create a new character that is of the same species? or a new species that looks similar to asaj ventress’ species. Why does every little thing have to be something pre-established with you lot? Drives me mad. Thank goodness JJ and Lawrence are helming this and there are brains able to come up with ideas.
Yes, i totally agree with you on that first part.
If you’re looking for new ideas, don’t go see a sequel. Sequels expand on previous ideas.
Right, thinking Luke, Leia, and Han might be in this movie was just crazy talk. They have brains.
June 2, 2014 at 7:33 PM
The key word there is expand. Good sequels don’t just mimeograph what came before.
“If you’re looking for new ideas, don’t go see a sequel. Sequels expand on previous ideas.”
Well that makes no sense. If I’m looking for something that’s not a rehash then I can’t watch sequels??..
no
I mean why bring old Big Trio? Can’t they really came up with something new? Why always center the plot on Skywalker family?
But seriously, I alyways thought that there is room for… I don’t know legacy stuff?
I am sure JJ will bring plenty of great new characters, which doesn’t mean, that there is no room for some comebacks.
Asajj Ventress wasn’t even a nightsister originally, she got retconned.
If you can’t find the difference between bringing back main characters and bringing back a minor character.. then oh dear
“If you can’t find the difference between bringing back main characters and bringing back a minor character.. then oh dear”
Well… then pity, that those bastards bring back R2D2 and C3PO and Chewie.
^^ I disagree that R2D2, C3P0 and Chewie are minor characters. For example, R2 brought Ben and Luke together and made sure the Death Star Plans were safe.
“^^ I disagree that R2D2, C3P0 and Chewie are minor characters. For example, R2 brought Ben and Luke together and made sure the Death Star Plans were safe”.
Come on, this is very strange logic. Just look, ad Tano, she saved Anakin multiple times. No Anakin, no Star Wars. ;P She saved Padme multiple times, no Padme, no Luke, no Star Wars. ;P
If 3PO and R2 are such minor, unimportant characters, why are they in EVERY film?
They ain’t minor, they just ain’t main characters. Ashoka and Ventress ain’t main either. I just don’t buy all this “bring something new” argument against Ahsoka and Ventress. I understand that someone might not like them, that’s cool, but lets not say that we don’t wan’t characters from past, because SW was always about legacy and continuity.
Sorry to chip in, but R2 and 3PO are main characters. Not to the ultimate conclusion of the film or the plot, but central characters to the series and narrative of the films. Chewie on the other hand isn’t a main character either naratively or for the plot. But he’s the falcons co-pilot so if the falcon’s back then I guess they can shove him back for old times sake although it wont make a huge difference to the series, unlike R2 and C3PO
Christie as Nightmother (Talzin was also tall, perhaps they do to Mothers what they did to Savage). Nyongo as Nightsister. Boyega as Luke’s adopted son and Nyongo’s twin, abandoned at birth because he’s male and thus not to be trained by Nightsisters.
My former theory still possible.
Sounds like a bad tcw episode.
What’s the count, Jeff?
Count of what?
Don’t pretend that you don’t know. You’re the official score keeper.
Proof we’ll see Characters from TCW in SW7?
Dave Filoni, the former supervising director of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, is now hard at work with his crew on Star Wars Rebels. Empire recently revealed a clip from the upcoming animated series and had a short interview with Filoni along with it. They asked Dave if Rebels would have any connection to The Clone Wars and how Rebels works alongside Episode VII:
“We asked executive producer Dave Filoni if these films would have a connection to Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
“I think it’s important that Rebels be its own thing,” said Filoni. “We created a monster in Clone Wars and there is a generation of kids now that love those characters, so you can imagine that when we’re in the story room I am pitching connections here and there. And to be honest [fellow executive producers] Simon [Kinberg] and Greg [Weisman] have watched Clone Wars and they are excited by it. Star Wars is such a universal thing. I think people would be disappointed if there wasn’t some connection, but at the same time I want the Star Wars Rebels characters to shine in their own right, and I want them to capture a new generation of fans as each, you know, moment in Star Wars storytelling does. They need their own space as well.”
But what about the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII? Is there a sort of Star Wars High Command to determine that the series and the movie (which are both canon) don’t clash?
“The answer would be yes. I am aware of things that are going on all over the Star Wars galaxy. The same story team that is working on collaborating with the creatives on the feature collaborates with me, so I have a direct link to everything going on, which is incredibly exciting and incredibly stressful because of all the secrets that we now carry inside our astromech units. You know, I think it’s important. I love working with creative teams that appreciate that and take the time to make it all happen, because you can imagine that it’s a tremendous effort to have all these stories going on the whole time.””
This is great to hear from Dave! Now that canon has been defined and the Lucasfilm story group is in place, Star Wars stories from all different mediums – books, comics, TV shows, Movies – should now work together in unison to tell one cohesive story. Characters from the Clone Wars could show up in Rebels, and Rebels characters could connect with Episode VII, and so on. How exciting is that?
Anon 8:35, I’ve never “kept score” or suggested that anything has to be a certain way. My arguments were always against those saying what couldn’t or shouldn’t be. I’ve stressed that people shouldn’t discount possibilities based on societal prejudices. It’s not about score, it’s about opportunity. In against people saying, “No black main characters. No black Skywalker.” I’m for choosing the best actor for whatever character they’ve written.
I’m also for seeing opportunities and representation for the under represented. But that still has nothing to do with any count. It’s not about numbers, it’s about treating people like people. It’s about recognizing that white male isn’t some universal default for others to deviate from. Just part of the same spectrums everyone else is in.
What does that have to do with Star Wars?
The OT cast was frankly a diverse cast. Leia, Lando, a Wookie. So was the PT. Padme and Mace.
Yeah, if you say that having only 1 female lead is not enough then you are keeping score.
SAPPHIIIIIIIIRES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What worries me is that Kathleen Kennedy called this an ensemble cast and we have now seven or more heroes. Doing this has been a problem for the X-men movies and will certainly be a problem for Star Wars. Lucas got this one right, focus on one main character and let the rest be secondary and tertiary.
Who says they’re all heroes? Some have to be Scum
Hey, I resemble that remark!
Surely some of them will take supporting roles. And who said they all would be heroes?!
some have to be scum and villainy!
Nyong’o was signed on so late that it’s likely a supporting role tacked on to end of the script. And will most likely introduce her character for a full spin-off movie.
Ahsoka Tano movie? for the girls..
I distinctly remember when they announced the spin-off movies that they would not involve characters in the saga movies. But who knows now?
“Ahsoka Tano movie? for the girls..”
Classy.
Anon 10.03 – the script was written months before they signed Nyong’o and most, if not all of the main characters would have already been cast by then.
With her global recognition after her Oscar win, Disney would want to take advantage of that, and what better way that give her a spin-off movie.
But they’d need to introduce her character first in SW7, probably with a few minutes near the end.
Can someone please explain to me how it’d make even an ounce of sense for Ashoka to be a character in EpVII?
I don’t necessairily advocate for it but she’s an established character in the canon who could still be alive I guess?
Yes her existence is now canon, but that does not expel the fact that Luke was the last of the Jedi. If she were alive during the OT, it’d take all of the substance out of that trilogy and render it pointless.
“Pointless” seems like a strong word but I agree that Luke’s story has more meaning if he’s actually the last of the Jedi. The problem is that it’s going to be difficult for them to do much of anything in the ST that doesn’t take away from the OT. I’m actaully more worried that whoever the new villian is will make the Palpatine/Vader threat seem insignificant and thus sort of unravel the OT from that angle. Hopefully they took an extreme amount of care in crafting the story.
Luke was last of the Jedi? I always thought that order 66 destroyed Jedi Order. It was nearly imposible, to kill every Jedi in existance. For example Kanan Jarrus survived, and Tano technically wasn’t a Jedi anymore.
That seemed to be the idea that was advanced in Episode VI when Yoda said as much. As you point out though that idea has been diluted over time in the name of producing additional stories.
Also we don’t know that either of those 2, or any other Jedi, survives until the OT so it’s still possible.
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Apparently nobody cares about the narrative or cannon. They just want to see a bunch of cosplay girls twirling light sabres about.
Check this out….
“I have story treatments of seven, eight and nine and a bunch of other movies. And obviously we have hundreds of books and comics and everything you can possibly imagine. So, you know, I’ve sorta moved that treasure trove of stories and various things to [Kathleen Kennedy] and have I complete confidence that she’s gonna take them and make great movies.” – George Lucas
Disney bought those treatments…
We’ve known this for almost 2 years
Let’s take that word BUNCH…That means 12????. 7 8 9 + 12 = 15 total so is that what we’re getting 15 movies?
Disney are going to make films, tv shows, and games for the next 40 years.
At a minimum …
Gwendoline Christie from Game of Thrones! That is awesome!
Btw I always thought that whole complaint about “not enough female characters” in Episode VII is so damn hypocritical. No one ever complained about Leia and Padme being the only major female characters in their respective trilogies and suddenly its such a big deal for the ST ? Makes me wanna Force Lightning certain people so hard.
“No one ever complained about Leia and Padme”
Seriously? I always heard people complain about it. And so what anyway? Just because you don’t hear people complain about a problem the problem doesn exist? At some point nobody stood up for discrimination against blacks, or stood up for the right for women to vote, or animal abuse, etc etc. Doesn’t make it right though. More awareness means you’re going to hear more people talk about it, but the problem was still there before people began to catch on.
Is Star Wars the difference between women voting and not? African Americans being free or slaves? Muslims at peace or warring with the Jews? NO! Get yourself a time machine and find the right time period to fight.
.. I never said it was. It’s called, an example. Clearly you are unfamiliar with the concept. I’ll give you a definition don’t worry.. “a thing characteristic of its kind or illustrating a general rule.” In context, I used those example to illustrate the rule that some people may not notice a problem until later, for which the problem can then be fixed due to the awareness built up. I hope that clears things up. So sorry to confuse you. So sorry for your confusion and the fact you think I need to get myself a “time mashine and find the right time period to fight” or whatever…
If Star Wars has no history of institutional sexism or racism like the United States, then it SHOULD be more inclusive. Only the Empire is really shown to discriminate. There is no reason why roughly half of the characters should NOT be female, especially in the Rebellion. Where are the female starship pilots and bounty hunters and criminals? The cartoons at least get this right, so why can’t the films?
10:14
Exactly
10:14 (me), That said, I’m glad to see this news. Not only that we’re going to have a Star Wars film with more than one main female character, but also because I’ve enjoyed the recent work of these two actresses. I hope that all of the new characters (heroes and villains, humans and aliens) will be at least half as iconic as those from the original trilogy.
And droids, of course!
@ Anon 10:14 PM
Because Star Wars was intended to be a semi-realistic take on the 30s and 40s sci-fi serials. Look about you in the real world. How many female fighter pilots, bounty hunters, criminals and soldiers exist in the world today? Certainly there are some, but they certainly don’t constitute a 50/50 ratio.
Additionally, of the female fighter pilots, bounty hunters, criminals, and soldiers that do exist, how many of them look like fashion models off the cover of Cosmopolitan, and how many look like this:
http://www.lundberg.tv/cfpa/history.html
Nobody is suggesting that there shouldn’t be more women. But the female characters that engage in combat ought to be of a bit sturdier stock and more battle hardened, as opposed to the runway models they seem to be casting.
And here we have our first of those “certain people”. Didnt take you long to come crawling out of the woodwork lol
I have NEVER heard those complaints before, certainly not among the Star Wars fans that I have had regular contact with over the decades. I dont hear people moaning “You know the OT was discriminating women because there was only Leia kicking ass”
And while the PT has been been subjected to much criticism and mindless uneducated bashing I certainly dont remember “padme as the only female main character” being one of those bashing arguments.
Also who gives a gorram fuck about how many men or women are in the story? Or how many blacks or whites? I am so sick of all this PC bullshit in products of entertainment. I just want a great story with great characters. Wether they are male, female, black, white, orange or goddamn purple is completely irrelevant.
I mean this is such a slippery slope anyway. You could go “the movie is discriminating chinese people if they are not chinese in it. Or its discriminating to midgets because there arent any small people in it and lets not forget how discriminating it is to not have any gay, lesbian or bisexual people in it. And how dare they not having any paraplegic people in it. What a disgusting disrespect for their community!
That kind of thinking destroys a movie. It doesnt matter how many female or male characters are in it or how many skin colors and ethnicities are in the film. And I am so sick of people clinging to that PC bullshit when all that should matter is story and characters.
And as history has proven, many of the worlds greatest movies had only one major female character and thats all they needed to make a masterpiece. Because what matters is the character itself not his/her gender or skin color.
“That should be enough for your….committee”
Amen, let’s be friends!
Anon 9:12 Well, either way you see it we “PC bullshit” people are winning because there are two new characters cast in VII, both women. To most people, this is a reason to celebrate.
But you can stay an ignorant fool if you like. Just know that I’m on humanity’s side, not Rush Limbaugh’s.
I think you’re confused, Anon 9:25 – It was Lord Deathstroke who posted at 9:12. The Anon at 9:21 simply agreed with him.
I think the OP was just expressing frustration over the arguing, hate, and gnashing of teeth over something as simple as a number of who’s and what’s people are OBSESSED over.
Now, let’s just be friends like Anon 9:21 suggests.
Just for the record Lord Deathstroke, “midget” is viewed as a derogatory term to people of short stature. While you may not like the “PC bullshit,” the kind of ignorance (or lack of caring) on that fact insures the topic of “PC bullshit” will continue for the foreseeable future.
And also for the record, I am sick of the gender equality debate on these boards. The point was made, albeit prematurely before any final casting announcements had been made, it has been heard, and it would be great if we can all just move past it now.
“I just want a great story with great characters. Wether they are male, female, black, white, orange or goddamn purple is completely irrelevant.”
So you’re saying you don’t care? To clarify, you do NOT care? Do NOT care?… Well then what’s the problem with people who enjoy a varied cast?
LOL I bet its him just not posting his name so he can agree with himself LOL
If all these guys care about is a great story with great characters, why not accomplish that with a diverse group of talented people? Having a greater female and minority representation won’t hurt Star Wars because they’re still talented actors.
So what’s the problem? Oh yeah – they’re not white men. -_-
What on Earth does Rush Limbaugh have to do with anything?
Lord Deathstroke:
The Internet is filled with hateful, emotional people like yourself who harshly criticize those who are tired of always seeing the bulk of blockbuster movies filled with white men. We don’t all look like that, and we won’t remain silent about that fact.
Star Wars lends itself to racial and gender diversity. If ALL people like you are really concerned about is talent, then rest assured that the cast has more than enough talent to get the job done.
Diversifying the cast doesn’t = inferior movie
I’m sorry, but in a world where Mara Jade Skywalker, Asajj Ventress, Jaina Solo, Luminara Unduli, Shaak Ti, Aayla Secura, Bastila Shan, Tenel Ka, Deliah Blue, Nomi Sunrider, Barriss Offee, Tahira Vela, Darth Talon, Lumiya, et al. exist, it is absolutely egregious and offensive that a cast of almost TWENTY characters contained TWO women–only one of whom was a new character. It’s just not an accurate portrayal of the Star Wars universe. The anger was justified and if you can’t understand why it was frustrating that 51% of society was basically ignored in this representation–when the Star Wars universe is RIFE with compelling female characters–well, that’s on you, buddy.
I’m sorry, which of those characters you just listed ACTUALLY exist after the EU was retconned? Again, you all got butthurt about casting before casting was complete. It was premature and unwarranted. Fin.
Nerd Central here. Give it some time. Gwendoline Christie is probably not even going to get much screen time. Odds are she’s playing an alien. Somehow, I don’t think she will have anything to do with light sabers. They cast a 6’3″ actress who is strong and kinda manly for a specific reason. That’s why I don’t think she will see much time behind the camera. That said, I think they will make her into a great character, but it’s just too early to speculate like this.
She’ll be a female Wookie
12 Years a Sith.
I feeeel your anger. The hatred is swelling in you now.
Palpatine
*Clears throat* TOLD YA SO TOLD YA SO TOLD YA SO TOLD YA SO TOLD YA SO
Still no Asian folks in SW, despite the Huge Population in the Far East.
Don’t forget about Yeti representation, too.
ohhhh man, no one from greenland, no one from russia, no from India ect.
no cats, no dogs, no jar jar…
please just focus on the story.
to be honnest I realy don’t care if all are asian as long the story is good.
Peace
that’s right, and I can’t understand it since Lucas wanted to shoot the original film with japanese actors.
*LOUDLY COUGHING* One step at a time dear god! You have to pretend some people don’t exist come on now. I mean people are actually pissed that 4 women are going to be in this film for crying out loud. But shh keep it down you’ll be called a nazi.
But we do have a Turtle and a large Pig…
Oh no!
What about in return of the Jedi?
Yeah, that is strange. :-/
Since Disney said they were doing an original story and weren’t beholden to the EU, I thought it would’ve been cool if someone like Michelle Yeoh could’ve played Luke’s wife, giving him either a mixed son or daughter.
Gwendoline Christie for Ventress?
LMAO!
All you folks proposing this lunacy, do yourselves a favor: put down your SW EU trash and pick up the REAL fine piece of literary work titled A Song of Ice and Fire, just so you know why Gwendoline Christie was chosen for the role of FREAKISHLY big Brienne of Tarth; only like the total opposite to gaunt, smallish, wiry Assajj Ventress.
HAHA I am so loving all these comments from butthurt men who want star wars to be an all men’s thing. ‘Ewwww no girls allowed girls have cooties ew stop the p.c nazi’s and their wish to have a varied cast in a film it’s almost as though the world is made up with half men and half women or something stop the madness ! ‘ My god it’s hysterical.
If you actually read carefully, you will see that no one is butt hurt about it and in fact embrace it. We are all just sick of hearing about it, especially since there was so much hand wringing before the final cast announcements. As someone said above, “I told you so.” Everybody up in arms for absolutely no reason at all. SO. PLEASE. JUST. DROP. IT.
Read carefully? Well ok then let’s have a look.
“There are TOO MANY women in the star wars universe”
“is it just me or does this feel a little forced”
“Women? In star wars?
Clearly JJ is desperate”
“Or maybe we’re perfectly fine with this addition. Unlike the shrieking feminazis for whom nothing ever seems to satisfy.”
“Maybe this will appease the shrieking feminazis.”
“No, they’ll be clamoring for more. The more they get, the more they want. It’s like feeding a stray dog. If you dare feed a stray dog, you’re stuck with ’em!”
The list of bitter comments goes on and on.
Well, maybe if you stop shrieking people will stop making the comments.
I am afraid you are the one is is not reading carefully. I find nothing in this thread even remotely close to the comments “TOO MANY women in star wars universe” or “Women? In star wars? Clearly JJ is desperate.” perhaps you have pulled these from a prior thread, but without context, who knows what was meant. Chances are it was total sarcasm, because sometimes that is an effective tool to make a point of how extreme someone’s perspective is.
Speaking of extreme, I don’t condone anyone referring to another as a “shrieking femi-nazi” or escalating the hate in the discussion by introducing politics and countering about the Tea Party. but there is an important point about those kind of comments that you fail to realize: none of the other comments you have raised above is a complaint about more women in Star Wars. It is a complaint about the incessant whining about the subject, especially when it started before a complete cast announcement. In other words all the griping was premature and unwarranted. But apparently you are unable to divorce yourself from the subject of women in Star Wars vs. complaining about a problem that did not, and does not exist.
The only reason there are any bitter comments going on and on is because you keep perpetuating it by making false accusations and using empty rhetoric to advance your agenda, despite no opposition here to it.
Hmmm. Sounds like typical politics, which I hate. So, to summarize, NO ONE HAS A PROBLEM WITH GENDER EQUALITY OR MORE WOMEN IN STAR WARS. PLEASE STOP THE BITCHING ABOUT IT.
Same ANON 5:42 PM again: And BTW, the comments below about having a wank and My Little Pony are reprehensible. However, I suspect they are the result of frustration with the perpetuation of this inane argument, which has no basis given the way the casting has played out.
Seriously, folks… is this ALL there is to talk about with the announcement of two major new cast members? “Fuckin’ PC Narzis!” versus “Fuckin’ sexists bahstards!”?!
Lupita and Gwendoline look like they’re going to be great additions to the cast. Doesn’t that warrant a bit more than more endless rounds of verbal Ro-Sham-Bo between those who don’t think there are enough women in the cast and those who gripe about too much political correctness?
Gwendoline is seriously fucking cool on Game of Thrones, very talented, and I can only imagine what she’s going to bring to Star Wars. Could make a great Ventress if they want to go that direction, or (my personal preference) a completely new character who needs the kind of power that Gwendoline can so easily project.
In Lupita’s case, I haven’t seen 12 Years A Slave, and she hasn’t really done a ton of other stuff beyond that, so I don’t know much about her as an actress, but she looks amazing, everything I’ve heard about her role in 12 Years makes it sound like she’s an excellent actress, and in the one interview I did see of hers (on Conan O’Brien) she was very fun and engaging. I’m really excited to see what she gets to do in Star Wars.
Both of these actresses just seem incredibly cool overall, and if they’ve got interesting characters in Episode VII I can see them both becoming fan favorites. Here’s hoping!
A++
♫ Apparently Lupita Nyong’o was the first person cast, Lucas wanted her specifically for a certain role. Now with Filming back at Pinewood, Everyone involved will be there, it is a matter of time before more info leaks, that’s why I’d expect more official announcements. ♫
First person cast!! More likely one of the last cast. It was sometime in March that the talk of her being in talks with JJ arose, around the time she won an Oscar. Which is far too late for her to be playing a main character in SW7.
More likely it’s going to be a supporting role leading into a spin-off movie.
“Also, Dude, chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature. Asian-American, please.”
Or just American, because you know…they are american.
Well the American ones are at least, some are Canadian I suppose.
“Well the American ones are at least, some are Canadian I suppose.”
lol. The only people in the world without a demonym of their own is U.S. folk. Hence “Americans”, which is a terrible mistake, of course.
Americans are all those folk born in the Americas, all the way from Alaska to Patagonia, Argentina. Thus, by definition, Canadians are also Americans, their forebears’ origins not withstanding.
The fact that you, U.S. folk are actually gullible enough, to put it mildly, to believe that you are right, and the rest of the world is wrong, is as hilarious as it is mind-boggling.
Asian-Canadian?! Where have you BEEN all my life?! ^-^
I see it now…….From these comments!
1.Assajj Ventress
2.Chewbacca’s Wife (all the way back from the star wars holiday special)
3.Talzin or some other sith witch
4.Some one from star wars rebels making a cameo
5.Add yours here..
I would enjoy if The Clone Wars-style Nightsisters played a part. I really loved them in that show, for being a fascinating “third faction” of Force-wielders besides the Jedi and Sith. Granted, they’re an evil faction too, but their style and culture is really different, more arcane and magical, and the sheer fact that there’s “Magicks” in Star Wars opens up so many cool questions about just how deep the supernatural elements in Star Wars goes. The Nightsisters were an awesome addition to the show, and I would not mind in the slightest if VII features them somehow.
there is also a new pic of the darkside creature on twitter, but I think it’ fake:
https://twitter.com/WDean70/status/473238424653430784/photo/1
You guys are ruining the fun. Sit back and enjoy it. What else can you do? We as star wars fans need (finally) a female protagonist / villan.
Boys have Star Wars girls have My Little Pony. No need to balance out any gender numbers! But if the feminists really want a cast full of beautiful women then I’ll be happy to bring my box of hankies to the cinema and have a good wank.
Boys have Star Wars girls have My Little Pony. No need to balance out any gender numbers! But if the feminists really want a cast full of beautiful women then I’ll be happy to bring my box of hankies to the cinema and have a good wank.
I´m a girl and I love Star Wars. I have to say too that I´m the only girl in my class who is a star wars fan. It never crosses my mind that in the past 6 movies there is this number of male characters and this number of women characters. I just love the story. Fact is, that geeks and star wars fans are mostly men, say 90%, and the rest are us – fangirls 🙂 I don´t care if the new movies will have this much of women and this much of men, really. I just want a good story. Seems like the new trilogy will have the main hero a woman and the “bad guys” also women. No problem with that. Same with opposite – if it´s all just guys. But the story has to be good, please!
I don´t wan any character from TCW or SWR to be involved in E7. And fuck the EU, no sisters, brothers, Maras Jades and other EU BS. If you like to masturbate on cartoon characters or EU please do it in private, thank you :-)))
Those photos from the set look like Burning Man to me!!!! haha
Very good news! IMO Lupita Nyong´o could be Lando´s daughter, even if his father won´t appear in the episode VII. I have no idea what character Gwendoline Christie will interpret.
K. All of you guys are missing the point. This is supposed to be fun. I’m 41 and I grew up on starwars and I remember the FUN. So sit back, feel the majic, and enjoy it. Is that so hard?
Totally off the whole sexism/racism in star wars thing…..
I was thinking about the rumour of Kenobi’s grandchild in the new films, at first I thought “Nah, must be crap, he’s a jedi” But, since watching the last season of the clone wars over the last week (and remember people TCW is now considered canon now) it made me think of the little scene in the banking clan/clovis arc, where Annakin is highly pissed off and jealous about Padme having to work closely with clovis.
Obi Wan visits Annakin and has his heart to heart with him about how he senses the attachment and jealousy in him, which he denies, stating that they are just close friends. But Obi Wan goe’s on to tell him that although it is forbidden for Jedi to have relationships and romantic ties etc, they are not restricted from having feelings like this, and mentions his for Satine. Ok, there was clearly a romantic past with satine for old Obi Wan, so it’s possible that if he were to have a grandchild, then the possibility of it being linked to her?
Ok, you can get back to the bitching now!
If anyone from GoT should be in star wars, its Charles Dance, the most perfect actor for a star wars movie if I’ve ever seen one. Having said that, It’s a very predictable/safe choice to cast an ‘old white british male’. I’m glad we are heading in a fresh direction with classic steam punk visuals to tie the saga together. I’m pleased that we can pull some more female talent into the saga and gwen christie certainly has the skills with a sword/lightsaber to not look out of place in battle!
Am loving the thought of A.Tano popping up. A good mix of Luke and Han, and as number 3 in TCW not even close to a minor character. Bring it on!
First the ultra PC crowd was complaining about the lack of women in lead roles (before final casting was announced). When more women join the lead cast then they complain that they aren’t ugly enough. Jeeeze guys give it a rest.
They are really going for the “next generation” thing. We have: The daughter of Han Solo and Leia, the son of Han Solo and Leia, the son of Luke Skywalker, the daughter of Chewbacca, the daughter of Lando Calrissian, the brother of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the son of Palpatine…it will be fantastic.
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female sith
How come there aren’t any characters with STDs represented here?