Star Wars fans and conservatives have rejoiced at the director's comments about a new female-directed film in the franchise, suggesting it will be another “woke” flop from Disney.
Two-time Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has declared: “It's time” for a woman to make her mark on a Star Wars film, as she will be the first woman and first person of color to direct a feature film for the franchise directs.
The film Star Wars: New Jedi Order is set after the most recent Star Wars sequel, 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, and centers on Daisy Ridley's character Rey.
However, many have found comments on a panel Obaid-Chinoy hosted with Meryl Streep and Jon Stewart that sparked outrage over Disney prioritizing politics over good filmmaking.
“I like making men uncomfortable. “I enjoy making men uncomfortable,” she said during the panel discussion, which she took part in after winning an Oscar for a documentary about acid attacks on Pakistani women.
Two-time Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has declared: “It's time” for a woman to make her mark on a Star Wars film, as she will be the first woman and first person of color to direct a feature film for the franchise directs
Here, the feminist director of the next Star Wars film says her goal is to “make men uncomfortable.”
This film is likely to be Disney's biggest flop to date. pic.twitter.com/KaihbiA7Oj
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) January 3, 2024
“It's important to be able to look into a man's eyes and say, I'm here, and recognize that, and realize that I'm working to bring something that makes you uncomfortable, and that should make you uncomfortable.” , added her .
People were quick to respond to the repeated comments, with Obaid-Chinoy also saying “it's about time” for a female-directed Star Wars film.
“Here's the feminist director of the next Star Wars film saying her goal is to 'make men uncomfortable,'” wrote commenter Matt Walsh.
“This film will be Disney’s biggest flop yet.”
Conservative pundit Ben Shapiro directed his ire at widely criticized LucasFilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy, calling her “rightly the worst entertainment executive of my life.”
Another
In a viral clip from a South Park special in October, Eric Cartman can be seen talking to a therapist about how he believes the “Wake” casting is leading to more diverse versions of his own friends in his nightmares himself be replaced before he complains about Kennedy.
“I want to scream and ask myself, 'Why are they replacing every single character with someone diverse?' But then Kenny says, “It’s not our fault, it’s Kathleen Kennedy,” but then Kathleen Kennedy just says, “Fuck it, make it lame!”
The film is set after the latest Star Wars sequel, 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, and centers on Daisy Ridley's character Rey
However, many have found comments on a panel Obaid-Chinoy hosted with Meryl Streep and Jon Stewart that sparked outrage over Disney prioritizing politics over good filmmaking
He later describes a nightmare in which he says, “Disney stocks keep falling, and then Bob Iger says, 'No!' NO! “What’s wrong with my stocks?”
Disney has long faced complaints, particularly from conservatives, as the company tries to appeal to a more liberal audience by replacing characters from popular films and series with more diverse options.
The new film comes at a time of increased scrutiny at Disney, as even CEO Iger admitted that the studio had relied too heavily on franchises and sequels.
“The Marvels” had a net budget of $274.8 million and featured a star-studded cast, including Oscar winner Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson – the “second highest-grossing actor of all time.”
After premiering in Las Vegas on November 7, 2023, the film experienced a disastrous reception, grossing just $188.5 million worldwide – nearly $100 million less than its budget – with just $77 million domestically.
Disney CEO Bob Iger said the bankruptcy was due to a “lack of oversight” due to pandemic restrictions that made it difficult for studio executives to oversee production.
The CEO admitted that Disney has made “too many” sequels over the years – something the Marvel Universe has been guilty of as the number of films in the series has increased to 33.
Disney's CEO claimed that “The Marvels” failed at the box office due to a lack of on-set supervision due to COVID and the launch of Disney+ streaming
“The Marvels” had a net budget of $274.8 million and featured an all-star cast including Oscar winner Brie Larson
Disney CEO Bob Iger said the bankruptcy was due to a “lack of oversight” due to pandemic restrictions that made it difficult for studio executives to oversee production
At the New York Times' DealBook Summit, Iger said, “I don't want to apologize for making sequels.”
“Some of them did exceptionally well, and they were good films, too,” Iger said, adding that “you have to have a good story” to make the films.
He also revealed that “a lot of times the story doesn't hold up” or “isn't as strong as the original story,” which can be a problem.
He went on to say that there has to be a better reason than just money to make a sequel – and admitted that Disney has been overdoing it in recent years.
But Iger made it clear that Disney won't stop making sequels – and revealed that the media major has a number of them currently in the works.
“We only greenlight a sequel if we believe the story the creators want to tell is worth telling,” Iger said.
Iger also blames the launch of Disney+ – the company's streaming service – which he said also diverted attention from production.
Executives warned investors that the company's products and political views may not align with what viewers want – and there is a risk the company could hurt its bottom line.
Disney also took a strong stance against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' “Don't Say Gay” bill, actually called the “Parents' Bill of Rights,” which bans sex and gender curricula for public elementary school students. Since then, the company has continued to publish agenda-driven content.
Back in January 2022, Disney debuted a new look for Minnie Mouse, which saw the popular character abandon her signature red polka-dot dress in favor of a “progressive” blue pantsuit by Stella McCartney.
In March 2022, it was announced that staff and receptions throughout the park would no longer include “gender-specific greetings” such as “boys and girls” or “ladies and gentlemen”.
Instead, they opted for gender-neutral terms like “Hello everyone” or “Hello friends”.
Disney has removed or changed things that were considered offensive when remaking their old films.
The 1992 animated film Aladdin contained a line in the opening song “Arabian Night” that many considered racist against Arabs.
Speaking to CNN on New Year's Eve, Sharmeen said: “I'm very excited about the project because I feel like what we're going to create is very special.”
“We now live in 2024 and it’s time for a woman to come forward to write a story in a galaxy far, far away.”
The film was written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and it was confirmed that Daisy Ridley will return to play Rey.
While it's unknown who else from the cast will be returning, including John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Kelly Marie Tran, the film is reportedly set 15 years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.
CNN reported that the film will be released in 2026 after Sharmeen hinted that filming would begin soon.
At a Star Wars celebration in London in April last year, it was announced that Sharmeen would be taking on the role of director.
She excitedly posted on Instagram: “It's been quite a day in London… The news is out!” I'm really looking forward to directing the next Star Wars film and bringing @daisyridley back to the galaxy…
“The hero's journey has always fascinated me and the world definitely needs more heroes!” – The blueprints of the heroes we see on screen are rooted in reality. – I've spent my life meeting real heroes who have defeated the most oppressive empires and fought against impossible odds, and that, for me, is the heart of Star Wars… That's why I felt the promise of a new Jedi Order attracted …
Sharmeen, pictured with Daisy in April 2023, said: “What we are about to create is very special.” We are now in 2024 and it's time for a woman to come forward.
“And why I'm particularly looking forward to immersing myself in a Jedi Academy with a powerful Jedi Master…”
Fans were happy for Sharmeen as they took to the comments to express their support.
One wrote: “Congratulations @sharmeenobaidchinoy 'May the force be with you!'”
Another added: “I'm so excited to see what you're cooking up!” Not just to see Rey again, but to see what kind of story you and the writers will tell! Super super excited!'
Another commented: “Congratulations @sharmeenobaidchinoy. A woman who constantly breaks barriers for women in Pakistan. What a proud moment!'
It was also announced that James Mangold will direct a film based on the first Jedi to discover “the Force,” set 25,000 years before the original trilogy.
Dave Filoni, the director of the upcoming Star Wars series Ahsoka, who has been involved in numerous Star Wars projects, will direct a new film set between episodes six and seven.
The film will draw on elements of the old Expanded Universe and serve as an endpoint for storylines in several Star Wars series, including The Mandalorian.