'“That lightsaber belongs to me!”: Star Wars the Gender Swap\r'

'A long beat ago in a galaxy off the beaten track(predicate) far away… the very words that began genius of the worlds most recognized and well-established franchises. booster Wars, a h wholenessy series that continues to contri besidese an ever growing yello compliments brown base. However, when ane considers the fan base of the picture show series, it is flaccid to associate its image with that of a potent figure. During the skipper trilogy fans had Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader and Princess Leia.\r\nIn the prequels there was Anakin, Mace Windu, Count Dooku, Yoda, and Padame. Noticing a trend here? All of these characters to some stratum fulfill the agency of the archetypal male maven with a egg-producing(prenominal) companion, which is some foreshorteng the listening is accustomed to seeing, though natur al wholenessy they are non all(a) the same. why is that? Perhaps that is the research viewers should ask themselves when ceremonia l anything from the sorcerer Wars series.\r\nIt is no bewilderwork forcet that Star Wars is a series loved by homosexualy end-to-end the world, as it offers a sense of science fiction and epic command on fantasy. However, it has been recognized to have a bit of a sexual urge line or suffer from what is known as the â€Å"Smurfette load”. Much like its counterparts in Lord of the Rings, and elicit Potter, which offers multiple male-led regions, accompanied by nonpareil or two other(a) effeminate fibres.\r\nIn the superior trilogy †episodes four through six †the three primary(prenominal) characters that stuck out were recognized as Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamil), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher). However, the role that stood out the most was that of Princess Leia, known as the attractor of the rebel alliance, and iconic figure who had the courage and say-so to dismantle the operations of those who sought to destroy everything s he stood for.\r\nShe nonetheless was presented the opportunity to save much(prenominal) male roles and remained as the only empowered feminine character throughout all three original films. However, this was all viewed as a secondary thought as the roles compete by men were seen as the primary entity to the series, scarcely this still was seen as a study uncovering for females in film. Around the time the series was fired the role and idea for a salutary female hunt character to exist was revolutionary and had a major impact on the way viewers and directors looked at films and the way female roles were handled.\r\nThis of course would set the alley for future films to be released. We would see this once once once much(prenominal) when the prequel films were released †episodes one through 3 †as characters such as Padme Amidalla, Keira Knightley, and other female Jedi roles came to light. Once again these characters were portrayed to be women of power and viewe d as a great importance to the public. However, once again these features were viewed as a second thought and taken commode the roles of men and their importance to the series.\r\nMaking it no surprise that the target demographic for the series was predominantly male-oriented. disrespect this, Star Wars has an audience of female fans equal to those of their male counterparts and with such a large number of female fans. You would think that the universe would have more be with roles of fair sex shining beyond or communion the roles of men. Sadly, this was not the case and women presented were often shown to fall improvident of universe any type of role model-like figure.\r\nIt was seen as though if boys were to watch Star Wars films, they commode worship or plays as Obi-Wan or Anakin, characters who were portrayed to be cunning, brave, and would organization danger head on. Girls on the other hand, were they supposed to support being submissive, and in carry of a hero like that of Leia and Padme? Was this the trend that all of the series films would fall victim to? Women depending on men to shape and care for their futures? These types of questions remained unanswered for the longest time, until new-made years when the Star Wars franchise announced it would issue to the big screen in 2015 under the summon â€Å"Star Wars: The Force Awakens”.\r\nHowever, this would not be a â€Å"per usual” Star Wars film dominate by light male men and their secondary female counterparts. No, this film sought to abolish all of the wee characteristics the series had become known for, and decided to wee the series a criminal no one could have seen coming. As the film itself was presented with the idea of having the franchises send-off female hotshot role, first female villain role, first African American lead, and include more minor female characters in unexpected areas.\r\nThe film was withal set to have a long This sent the world into a compl ete zeal as it had a mixed reception from fans. nigh plant they loved and looked forward to the idea of a fresh take on the series and mournful along with modern times. Fans could now be untied to an entire new world, and see what could come from such a diverse cast of characters.\r\nOthers however, took this as an insult, and aphorism the series falling give to the social referee warrior movements and being nothing more than mere propaganda that would distress the series. Causing multiple Mens Right Activists to foretell for boycotts of the film, and multiple online protests, as several utter it was an good time on the hold men had throughout the series. In weeks leading to the release of the film, trailers and images taken for the film were labelled with â€Å"#BoycottStarWarsVII” and â€Å"#StarWarsaMensGalaxy”.\r\nDespite the protests, and negative feedback from multiple activists and fans, the film generated $529 cardinal its opening week. Stomping o ut the superstitions that this one film would ruining the image of Star Wars that was established. However, the biggest victory this film had, was with its characters and their roles in the film as director JJ Abrams made it resolve that The Force Awakens was something that would change the Star Wars forever.\r\nMany speculated that, in spite of the latest additions to the franchise would still be dominated by men, and have small hints of a cleaning lady being in power. However, when the film debuted umpteen found the storys main character, Rey, a mysterious character with a hidden backstory, was not only cunning and well-rounded. She was in truth independent, did not rely on another character, move up herself in the middle of a love scene, or eagerly waiting for a knight in shining armor to come save the day.\r\nThe ambient she comes to something of that sort, is her companion Finn, who also made a sputtering being the franchises first African American lead role. However, i t comes across as two friends looking afterward one another, it could even be recognized as a bond strictly forged by survival. However, this was not the only shocker of the film, as another twist to the plot of the story comes during the climax of the film. When Rey would even defeat, and have the best the films only white antagonist known as Kylo Ren in a lightsaber battle.\r\nSome would say that it was one of the most horrific sputter scenes on a Star Wars film to date, but not if you take a closer look as the fight itself has a hidden meaning. Analyzing the fight scene, Kylo playthings with Rey and does not face as a real opponent. Taunting her, and demo his superior strength to push her to a attenuate state but at the one depict he offers her a chance to join him as an apprentice and teach her what she lacks as a Jedi.\r\nThis can be seen as a moment of man beating down the thought of a woman taking on such a role. Demonstrating that a woman such as Rey is not meant to be so strong. That she is not meant to al-Qaida as a warrior, or as someone who can stand their ground and can easily fall prey to the words of a man who appears to be stronger and offers a way out a difficult situation.\r\nHowever, as Rey, struggles to hold off her opponent, she takes a moment to mull on who she is, and why she is fighting. She then becomes focused and forges a stronger bond between herself and the force which allows her to become more powerful than Kylo could have ever become in such a short time. Rey, who has never fought with a lightsaber, never used the force in anyway, or faced an evil as strong as Kylo Ren emerges victorious.\r\nMaking an impression on the young man, and the audience that this female character is not one to be taken so lightly, that women can take on such a role, and be just as good of a Jedi warrior worthy of wielding a lightsaber in battle. This scene alone can be indicated as one of the most iconic, visually pleasing, and outspoken of all time, with the simple message it carries through its actions and depiction. Just one more thing for the world to fall in love with, and that it did.\r\nFollowing the success of the film came the fantastic demand for the toys, and video game figures that the public would be open to collect and enjoy. The new line of Star Wars figures and video games include almost every adept cast member and their costumes, all except one major piece. Rey herself, was not found to be included in any of the merchandise produced by toy distributor Hasbro, except for one. One that was part of a â€Å"Speeder Bundle”, a pre-sale toy hatful before the film was released.\r\nHowever, this one toy suddenly robs Rey of any gender as she is fully mask and clothed. One would not even notice it was a female character in the form of a toy. This of course drove a massive callout from fans and gender activists, both(prenominal) raising the question as to why? Why was this important female character bei ng left out when so many were concern for her to appear?\r\nThe answer came from an inside report from Hasbro that stated toymakers were specifically directed to exclude Rey from their ingatherings because â€Å"Star Wars toys were pitch toward boys and boys dont like playing with female action figures. No boy wants to be given a product with a female character on it.” Which brought both Hasbro and Disney to come forward and made a thin excuse saying their intentions were â€Å"mistaken, as they did not wish to reveal or spoil anything for anyone who had not seen the movie.”\r\nIt was also found that both Disney and Hasbro invested heavily in the white antagonist male character Kylo Ren as many executives expected his role to be the breakout role of the century. Returning old world views of woman not being able to have as strong of a hold in the entertainment sedulousness as men and bringing forth the question of whether or not this trend would continue with the s ubsequent series of episodes the Star Wars franchise planned to release in years to come.\r\nAlthough the answer may not be fully known, it is clear that creators and directors under with the Star Wars brand are working toward undoing the toll set forth by past films for their picture of women. With the latest installments of Star Wars: The Clone Wars Animated, Rogue One, and The come through Jedi †all featuring more independent and empowered female characters, the franchise is on the right path but still has a large road up till many see women equal to men.\r\n'