(Spoiler Alert)
As I’m sure everyone has heard, the new Star Wars film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was a huge hit in the box office and among all crowds of every age. For children, this is a new movie filled with action, colorful things that look like swords, and a lot of flying in space. For others like me, this movie was long-awaited and it made me feel a sense of fulfillment I didn’t even know I still needed. The greatest aspect of this movie that I know many agree with is the fact that the main character of this new Star Wars chapter is Rey: a badass, soon-to-be jedi, girl. She’s a girl, guys!! Miracles do happen!
No, but really. It may come as a surprise to some to know that there has been an enormous amount of controversy over a woman with a black friend (Finn) to be the new faces of Star Wars. Honestly people, I still question why this is even a problem, but whatever. Rey from the moment she is introduced makes it a point that she does not need help from anyone. She’s lived her life alone on Jakku after her family basically abandoned her, and she’s a pilot. When Finn offers to help her and care for her, she’s confused and seems a bit insulted because she knows how to handle herself. She can shoot a gun (after a couple of practice shots, of course) and, best of all, she can wield Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber. She is literally the epitome of the woman I dream to be.
So after all of that in the film, let’s talk about Rey’s presence in Star Wars merchandise. After every epic action film, Star Wars included, there are films, action figures, Legos, and all other types of merchandise created for fans to enjoy the movie after they leave the theater. This is obvious, right? Well, it was exciting to see Rey make such a phenomenal impact on audiences and for her to represent women in such an epic film, but people still decided to fight against her.
Hasbro, one of the largest toy companies, faced thousands of complaints about Rey being excluded from the Star Wars themed Monopoly board game. J.J. Abrams, director of Star Wars, also complained about the underrepresentation of Rey in Star Wars merchandise. He came out to stay that he was unaware of the merchandise production and release and he understood that they did not want to spoil anything for fans with a Rey action figure holding a lightsaber.
It is evident that without Rey action figures, her importance and impact reduces because children are unable to experience her as she is: the main character in the movie and a powerful woman. Preventing spoilers is a good enough reason to calm fans as well as the release of Rey as a figure for board games and a general action figure. It’s important to have a female lead equally as present as other characters.
In a generation and society that realizes the importance and impact of representation in media, a heavy role is placed in the hands of Rey and the people producing her. She is an epic character and seeing her on the shelves of Walmart and Toys-R-Us is so vital to our society and the incoming female Star Wars megafans.
