VIDBE-Q
Volume 62 Issue 1
Actors and actresses from multiple nationalities, ethnicities, races, linguistic backgrounds, and abilities
comprise the Rebel Alliance. This depiction holds a stark contrast to the Imperial leadership depicted
predominately by older white males. Could the Star Wars franchise be making a statement about the diversity
in a culture of political change and concern? Lewis Beale (2016), a CNN reporter, seems to think so in his
opinion article In 'Rogue One' a master class on diversity for Donald Trump. Although the movie casting is
not related in any way to the recent election, Beale's article demonstrates how some people are making
connections between the film and real life.
Rogue One embraces the most diverse cast in a Star Wars film to date. Children and adults alike
regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, linguistic background, or ability can now see people like themselves
depicted on screen as heroes and heroines in the intergalactic world of Star Wars. Stephen Whitty (2016)
elucidates that Rogue One allows the audience to "visit a place where differences are accepted not
exceptional, where people aren't prejudged based on race or ethnicity, when no one feels threatened by
other cultures, or intimidated from expressing their own." Deigo Luna, the Mexican actor who plays
Cassian, shared this sentiment in his interview with Esquire magazine. Luna (as cited in Miller, 2016)
explains, "It gives me hope that these gigantic films that reach everywhere are finally representing the planet
and not just one market." The lands of Star Wars finally reflect the diversity of the real world.
In light of recent criticism of Hollywood's lack of diversity in blockbusters, Rogue One stands as an
exemplar of the power of embracing the diverse fabric of our society. According to IMDb (2017), the cast
includes actors and actress of a variety of nationalities including British, Mexican, American, Chinese,
Australian, Danish, Irish, German, Lebonese, Welsh, and Norwegian, just to name a few. However, the
representations of diversity in the film do not end there. Rogue One also includes characters with diverse
needs including a Rebel warrior who is blind and another with prosthetic limbs. The film depicts both of these
characters as strong and able, focusing on their abilities rather than their disabilities. The inclusive nature of
Rogue One emerges as a model of the diversity we can expect to see from Lucasfilms from here on out.
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