It's nearly 2016 and it's not exactly a secret that the film industry stubbornly remains very male and very white dominated, whether it's in front of the camera or behind the scenes. The most visible to audiences is, of course, in the casting. In reality, there isn't actually a shortage of talent in the sectors of actors who are female and/or non-white; Hollywood, however, still likes to insist that there are few quality leading roles available to those actors because, well, apparently they just don't make a big enough impact on the box office.
By now, this shouldn't even be considered a valid remark (especially considering the global success of The Hunger Games franchise, which was not only marketed to girls but led by a teenage female protagonist) and this is especially punctuated by the triumph of the latest installment in the Star Wars saga, The Force Awakens. This recent film skillfully blends the old with the new by introducing characters, conflicts and concepts while still paying homage to the original films from the late 70s and early 80s; and it has been received positively on an overwhelming scale by critics and fans alike. What's most important (and impressive) is that the film has broken records by generating $1 billion in just 12 days — and it happens to be led by a woman (Daisy Ridley), a black man (John Boyega), and a Latino (Oscar Isaac).
This sends a loud and clear message: whether this film has been successful because of or despite its leads, women and people of color sell. Should that be the standard by which actors from marginalized groups are hired and headlining quality films in quality roles? Absolutely not. But this is an excuse studio executives have used continuously to perpetuate racist and sexist exclusion in movies, and maybe an appeal to their wallets will be enough to finally put it to rest.
Audiences are diverse. And they want to see actors who reflect that very diversity in roles that are as well-written and as exciting as that of Ridley, Boyega and Issac in The Force Awakens. But this film simply cannot be an anomaly; there needs to be active change in this industry where leading characters are portrayed by women and people of color in ways that are not objectifying or stereotyping. Now the only question is whether Hollywood is ready to accept The Force Awaken's casting challenge and rise to the occasion...
But there's something that simply cannot be denied: Hollywood hasn't been trying as hard as they'd like you to think in the diversity department. And that's a problem. Maybe one that Star Wars can finally amend once and for all.
