If you were to describe Princess Leia's character, you'd probably list a number of positive attributes. Intelligent, strong willed, empathetic, selfless. Yet whenever anyone brings her up, all anyone can talk about is the gold bikini Jabba the Hut made her wear in "Return of the Jedi." We're not saying that Carrie Fisher wasn't a beautiful woman in that film (she was). But there was more to her character than just sex appeal.
Fisher herself has expressed concerns that any future "Star Wars" films may try to push a female lead's sexuality to the forefront instead of allowing her to be a fully realized character. But Disney and Lucasfilm seem to be doing everything they can to make sure that doesn't happen with newcomer Daisy Ridley.
Comic book artist J. Scott Campbell, who has worked on previous "Star Wars" titles, said that Disney is currently removing the metal bikini outfit from all future merchandise.
"Daisy Ridley won't have to fight against anything," Campbell said in a Facebook post. "Disney is already well on its way to wiping out the 'slave' outfit from any future products period. You will NOT see any future merchandising featuring the slave outfit ever again. Trust me."
Campbell goes on to say that artists at Marvel, who have taken over the new line of "Star Wars" comics, are not even allowed to draw Leia in a "sexy pose." While it's true that sex sells, it can also impede narrative growth.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has been outspoken in her desire to have a female director for one of the upcoming "Star Wars" films. In addition, "The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams put an emphasis on diversity from both a gender and racial standpoint for his newest addition to the saga.
These decisions shouldn't be brushed off as mere PR-posturing. Bringing people of different backgrounds into the forefront allows for new perspectives to be explored on screen. This broadens the horizons of the films and makes them more interesting and relatable to a wider array of audiences. That is always a positive.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will hit theaters on Dec. 18.
