Kathleen Kennedy confronts toxic Star Wars fans: Women are attacked

In a new interview with The New York Times about the upcoming “Star Wars” series “The Acolyte,” Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said she is aware that women in the space series are more likely to be attacked online than men “because the fandom is so male-dominated.” Female stars Daisy Ridley and Kelly Marie Tran certainly faced online harassment from toxic fans when the latest “Star Wars” film trilogy was released, and now “The Acolyte” is already being attacked in certain corners of the fandom.

“The Acolyte” is an original story by Leslye Headland, set long before the events of “The Phantom Menace.” Headland, known for directing films such as “Sleeping With Other People” and co-creating the hit Netflix comedy series “Russian Doll,” is the first woman to serve as showrunner on a “Star Wars” series. Her show includes major new female “Star Wars” characters played by Amandla Stenberg, Carrie Ann-Moss, Jodie Turner-Smith and more.

As the Times reported, “A vocal, rabid part of the ‘Star Wars’ fan base has pushed back (against the series) in predictable fashion. ‘Why are so many women, girls and minority characters increasingly dominating the Jedi ranks?’ asks one comment on the trailer for ‘The Acolyte,’ with others expressing a similar worldview… Some trolls have nicknamed Headland’s series ‘The Wokelyte.'”

“In my opinion, storytelling has to be representative of all people,” Kennedy told the publication of her support for Headland’s “Acolyte” vision. “That’s an easy decision for me.”

“Working in these huge franchises today, with social media and the pressure of expectations – it’s terrifying,” Kennedy continued. “I think Leslye struggles with that a little bit. I think a lot of the women who are involved in Star Wars struggle with that even more. Because the fandom is so male-dominated, sometimes they get attacked in ways that can be quite personal.”

Headland has already begun limiting her participation in online conversations about the show to shut out the toxic fans, and the show hasn’t even appeared on Disney+ yet.

“As a fan, I know how frustrating some Star Wars stories have been in the past. I’ve felt it myself,” she said. “I stand by my compassion for Star Wars fans. But I want to be clear: Anyone who engages in bigotry, racism or hate speech … I do not consider a fan.”

“The Acolyte” premieres on Disney+ on June 4.