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As big a deal as it was that Star Wars got a Black lead in John Boyega, the stories really did turn him into a supporting character in the second two films. Let’s not forget how big a deal it was for Kelly Marie Tran to be cast and then she was Barry in The Rise of Skywalker.
As Star Wars fans, we must acknowledge the faults in what we love now in order for it to be better in the future. Otherwise, there are no real gains.
It is simultaneously possible that TLJ was perfect plotted and executed and sidelined the Black lead from TFA.
TRoS made up for this in some ways while essentially omitting Rose.
TRoS made up for this in some ways while essentially omitting Rose.
I do believe that Finn’s story in TLJ was extremely important, but it was too short in relation to the other character arcs in the film.
At some point, “pivotal” can’t be substituted for screen time.
At some point, “pivotal” can’t be substituted for screen time.
Let’s imagine an alternate timeline where a Black man was cast as Boromir in Fellowship of the Ring and a huge deal was made about it and then the awesome, important character is essentially gone from the two sequels, relegated to flashbacks.
I also think about Val in Solo: A Star Wars Story. If the role hadn’t been so small, Thandie Newton wouldn’t have been able to do it and the character would have been very different. At the same time, they didn’t consider the implications of a Black woman playing such a role.
Another thing that occurred to me: I think the problem is largely one of color blindness. If people “don’t see color” it frees them from thinking of the implications of what plot will do to people of color. What they need to do going forward is be color-conscious.
Barely.
