By Audrey Magazine
Every year, the San Diego Comic-Con brings together thousands of fans and comic enthusiasts. This year, one of the most anticipated panels of the convention was for the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
During the audience Q&A session, two young Asian fans Corrine and Ryan asked director J.J. Abrams, a question many of us hope to hear more often: “We would like to know, do you plan on having any Asian characters join the cast in any of the upcoming Star Wars films?”
Ryan added, “What we really liked about your Star Trek films is the diversity of the cast.”
Abrams enthusiastically agreed by opening his reply with “Go Asians!” before going into more detail. Although Abrams will not be casting the upcoming Star Wars movies, he joked that if he could, he would cast them as only Asian. But on a more serious tone, he reassured fans that since he was part of the casting process for The Force Awakens, they will see Asians in film.
“We wanted the movie to look the way the world looks… And I think it is important that people see themselves represented in film. I think it is not a small thing. So I completely understand and think our question is hugely important. And it was a big consideration,” said Abrams.
Kathleen Kennedy, producer of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and president of Lucasfilm also said, “There is every intention to carry on exactly what J.J. is talking about in all the Star Wars movies that we’re going to make.”
Abrams’ thoughtful response and Kennedy’s reassurance is receiving a lot of attention. The movie has already received praise for its diverse roster, which includes Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong’o and actress Christina Chong in a minor role. Let’s hope this becomes a trend in Hollywood.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ is slated to be released on December 18, 2015.
Feature photo courtesy of flickeringmyth.com
