The world of Star Wars is an amazing place. They have mastered everything from laser guns, to artificial intelligence, and even faster than light travel. However, one thing they seemingly are still unable to crack is something as simple as gender equality. Both behind the camera, as well as in front of it, the women of Star Wars have long languished as powerless when compared to the influence wielded by their male counterparts. There are new rumors, though, that suggest we may finally start to see a change in this trend some time in the near future.
A new report from the Los Angeles Times indicates that a major summit was recently held by Women in Film and the Sundance Institute, which sought to address the major gender gap wage issue in Hollywood. Adriana Alberghetti, an agent from the William Morris Endeavor talent agency, has since secured meetings for various female creatives to potentially take part in future Star Wars projects. No official names have been revealed as of yet, but it’s known that Alberghetti represents currently hot female directors Sarah Gavron (Suffragette) and S.J. Clarkson (Marvel’s Jessica Jones), as well as various female screenwriters, including Linda Woolverton (Maleficent) and Marti Noxon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Bringing more women into the creative process of the Star Wars films would not only have a positive influence on the Hollywood landscape, but it would also help to address a major issue within the Star Wars universe itself. With the exception of Leia Organa – as well as her mother Padme Amidala from the prequel films, if you choose to remember those – female characters are often given next to nothing to say or do in the Star Wars films. This problem has become so apparent that even Family Guy poked fun at the underdeveloped world of Star Wars' women a few years ago, check it out below:
A strong female presence behind the camera and script could be just what the franchise needs to balance out its major gender issues in the future. However, at this stage most of the major creative positions have already been filled by male directors and writers, save for the directorial position in the Boba Fett solo anthology film, which is currently due to hit theaters in 2020. This means that if any of these women are to be brought on board for a Star Wars film it may not even happen until 2019.
For now, Star Wars remains a decidedly male centric affair. If change is, in fact, coming, then we’re hoping that it occurs swiftly and effectively. But, until then, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set to hit theaters in two weeks on December 18.
