News culture “I want to make it clear.” The creator of Star Wars The Acolyte attacks certain fans and doesn’t mince her words
Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm, Ltd., is facing criticism from Star Wars fans who point the finger at a group she describes as hateful and sexist. In a world full of tensions and hopes, the future of the saga remains uncertain, between disappointments and hopes.
Summary
- A mixed assessment
- The regret of the fans
A mixed assessment
Since Disney acquired the Star Wars franchise in 2012, the saga’s cinematic universe has been marked by a series of ups and downs. In a recent interview, Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm, Ltd., took the stage to address some of the negative criticism of recent productions.
At his recent appearance in Cannes, where he received the Palme d’Honneur, George Lucas himself expressed reservations about recent developments in the space saga he created. He highlighted the lack of novelty in the latest films, especially in the new trilogy consisting of Episodes VII to IX. This criticism joins that of many fans who also lament the lack of innovation and coherence in these stories.
If the main films left some fans wanting more, the announced spin-offs were often abandoned while other projects turned to the small screen. Television series such as “The Mandalorian” have been well received, but there have also been disappointments, as shown by the mixed reception of “The Book of Boba Fett.”
The regret of the fans
Kathleen Kennedy, who was initially seen as the natural heir to the management of the franchise after Disney took over, also came under criticism. Fans questioned his ability to maintain consistency and quality in productions. In a rare interview with The New York Times, Kennedy acknowledged some responsibility for the criticism, but also emphasized the difference between disappointed fans and those who express hateful and sexist views.
“As a fan myself, I understand the frustration that some may have felt in the past,” Kennedy said. I want to express my deepest sympathy to Star Wars fans. However, I want to be clear: those who express bigotry, racism and hate are not fans in my opinion.
The statement comes at a time when Leslye Headland, the showrunner of the new series The Acolyte, is facing disproportionate criticism, largely due to her predominantly male fan base. Even before it was broadcast, the series was the target of discriminatory campaigns on social networks and was cynically renamed “The Wokelyte” by some Internet users due to its diverse cast.
But despite these controversies, Kennedy remains committed to supporting Headland and his team. She sees this as an opportunity to diversify the saga and bring it to new audiences, which she hopes will help enrich the Star Wars universe.
Ultimately, the future of Star Wars seems both promising and uncertain. As the franchise continues to evolve, tensions between different fan groups reflect the challenges facing such an iconic saga. It remains to be seen whether they will have the strength to overcome these divisions and ensure that Star Wars remains a source of inspiration and fascination for generations to come.
As a reminder, the Star Wars series The Acolyte is available on the SVOD platform Disney+.
