Twitter is PISSED that Lucasfilm gave another white man a “Star Wars” project on International Women’s Day
Lucasfilm clearly needs a lesson on reading the room because while people all over the world were celebrating International Women’s Day, they announced that another white man would be helming a Star Wars project. Seriously, of all the days of the year. Frances McDormand did not make an impassioned speech about the need for diversity in film and get her Oscar temporarily stolen so Lucasfilm could do this to us.
This morning, Lucasfilm announced that The Lion King director Jon Favreau would be executive producing and writing a live-action Star Wars series for Disney’s upcoming streaming platform. This comes on the heels of announcements that Rian Johnson would be creating a standalone trilogy, and David Benioff and D.B. Weiss would be helming a set of films.
In a statement celebrating the Iron Man director’s hiring, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy attempted to *kind of* address the massive elephant in the room: Lucasfilm’s inability to hire a creative who is not a white man. “I couldn’t be more excited about Jon coming on board to produce and write for the new direct-to-consumer platform. Jon brings the perfect mix of producing and writing talent, combined with a fluency in the Star Wars universe. This series will allow Jon the chance to work with a diverse group of writers and directors and give Lucasfilm the opportunity to build a robust talent base.”
Ummm…
As a filmmaker, Favreau has a much better track record than many of his fellow Star Wars creators — he directed the now-classic Elf and has played a pivotal role in front of and behind the camera in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — and he genuinely seems like he could be a solid fit. But the timing of this announcement was about as bad as Luke’s terribly thought-out plan to rescue Han Solo in Return of the Jedi.
Naturally, Twitter couldn’t believe Lucasfilm chose International Women’s Day to make the announcement:
Lucasfilm hired another white dude to make some Star Wars. happy international women’s day!
— britt hayes (@MissBrittHayes) March 8, 2018
Hi Disney/Lucasfilm:
It's bad enough you don't have any women leading your Star Wars movies and shows.
Maaaaybe it's bad form to remind us on International Women's Day that you don't care about having us tell your stories.— Beth Elderkin (@BethElderkin) March 8, 2018
me: I really like Jon Favreau's movies! I like Iron Man 1! I like Elf! He's great!
also me: seething with rage that another white dude gets to make a Star Wars project pic.twitter.com/NVGD9KSVtd
— Erin Vail (@vailerin32) March 8, 2018
I go off twitter for two hours and they give another chunk of star wars to another white dude.
on international women's day?
thanks, star wars. you never disappoint.
— Joanna (@hothcouture) March 8, 2018
On the one hand, Jon Favreau is a proven blockbuster filmmaker with a strong command of fantasy storytelling.
On the other hand, announcing that another straight white dude is helming a Star Wars project ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY is… not great.https://t.co/cYeU7eGIyk
— Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) March 8, 2018
Star Wars is allergic to women of color in production, writing, and directorial roles. Yes, I know about the women in the LucasFilm Story Group. Let's have more than just that. https://t.co/hSxOfQsNXT
— Con-naissance (@ConStar24) March 8, 2018
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happy international women's day from disney & lucasfilm https://t.co/N7V5vgzCCN
— Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (@Hello_Tailor) March 8, 2018
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https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/971768813426425857
Jon Favreau is a GREAT fit for STAR WARS. I think he'll knock it out of the park.
I also think it was tone deaf as fuuuuuuck for Lucasfilm to announce his hiring on International Women's Day. C'mon, guys.
— Jacob Hall (@JacobSHall) March 8, 2018
Would love to see @Jon_Favreau commit to an #InclusionRider for this series. That is how allies do the work: they open the door for others using the power and privilege they hold. #Akuarel can help. #OscarsSoWhite @Inclusionists https://t.co/bo2tWiYsrM
— April (@ReignOfApril) March 8, 2018
But while Lucasfilm made some serious miscalculations in announcing Favreau’s hiring on International Women’s Day, the filmmaker can do something to bring something positive to the table.
For the love of Carrie Fisher and all things good in the galaxy far, far away, Jon Favreau, please listen to Frances and include an Inclusion Rider in your contract.