Kevin Feige: From the MCU to the Galaxy Far, Far Away

Move over Spidey, Kevin Feige is making space in his heart for the Galaxy Far, Far Away. As reported on October 25, Feige has been invited by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy to have a hand producing a future Star Wars film. Among the fan community the reaction has been mixed. Some, quite fairly, groaned at the aspect of creative control of a Star Wars property in the hands of one more white man. To recap, here’s the list of previous Star Wars films that have not had a white man in the captain’s chair so to speak: .

Right, only with the advent of The Mandalorian has a live action property had a director that did not meet the aforementioned demographic. Hence, the disappointment that followed the news. Diversity behind the camera, in the production side, is important because different people bring with them different experiences, perspectives on the world around them, and channeling just one demographic narrows this creative conduit. However, some fans greeted Feige’s stepping over from Marvel Studios as a possibility for advancement in representation.

After all, once Feige was able to operate without the interference of Ike Perlmutter, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was enriched with the additions of Black Panther and Captain Marvel. Indeed, Feige has already announced sequels to these highly successful films, the former being the first MCU film to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Feige’s Phase 4 promises to be the most inclusive round of superhero films ever produced, but what does that mean for his role in producing a Star Wars film? This is where the crystal ball becomes cloudy. Feige has shown he will tap people of color and women to direct films, but will he do it here? It is, unfortunately, a wait and see that is bereft of the potentially more exciting prospects for storytelling had a different candidate, a person of color, for example, been offered the same level of opportunity.

February 21, 2021

Deborah Chow, Announced Showrunner for Obi-Wan Kenobi Series

By Jess Shitara

After a dry spell on the representation front, StarWars.com announced that Deborah Chow will be directing the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney’s streaming service— starring Ewan McGregor as Kenobi.

Chow will be directing an episode(s) of The Mandalorian, airing on Disney+ November 12, which also has a diverse directing roster.

Chow will be joined by Hussein Amini, an Iranian-British writer (The Alienist). Other than Doug Chiang, these are the first Asian creatives announced for a live-action project and it shows promise that the TV arm of LFL’s Star Wars train is listening to our plea for more diverse storytellers behind the camera. Kennedy’s comments from Starwars.com mentioned that they saw how well Chow was able to develop characters in The Mandalorian, and it gave them faith she would do right by Kenobi.

A few comments were floating around the Twitter-verse about how Chow is not a well-known Director. Systemic misogyny and racism in Hollywood has historically made it difficult for people with backgrounds like Chow and Amini to break into major franchises like Star Wars. It’s a good sign that these big studios are actively assessing their head count and seeking out different perspectives, especially for original trilogy fan favorites like Kenobi.

While the team at #swrepmatters is thrilled by this news, we are still ready to see more diversity and inclusion on the silver screen, and not just TV, books, and comics.

February 21, 2021

Black Lives Matter

By Wakandan Sith Witch

Hello Rebels,

We know it has been a long time since we have had the honor to engage with the Star Wars community. An unplanned, but much-needed hiatus pulled us away, we have had the pleasure of seeing how the fandom has grown and evolved since TRoS, and we are happy to return and bring some positivity and light to all supporters, new and old, who believe in the overall message that representation matters in a galaxy, far, far away.

While Star Wars is our passion, we must acknowledge that there are real-world issues that demand our attention and continued support. We want to inform you that all of us firmly believe that Black Lives Matter, including Black Trans Lives, and Black Women Lives, and that systemic racism has denied, and continues to deny, justice to and perpetuate violence against black communities.

We know that these are dark times and that it may be necessary to escape into a fantasy world where the message of Hope is the thread that holds the entire franchise together. However, while we escape, Black lives are being taken every day. Let’s not bury our heads. There are many ways to help, and the journey of being anti-racist is lifelong but here are a few places you can start: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

Ways To HelpWays To Help WAYS TO HELP

We will continue to share resources and aid funds.

There are many ways to educate yourself on the reality Black folks have been living in for hundreds of years, and the ways we can dismantle the systems that keep the status quo. Here at #swrepmatters, we talk about representation and inclusion in media, but that means nothing if the white supremacist system of Hollywood and celebrity worship continues to exist as is. We must reckon with this reality and fight for our place in media.

We acknowledge this response was delayed, but we wanted to provide the space and time for those on the crew to take action individually before we came back together after a hiatus to move forward collectively. Our mission is to always center marginalized voices first, and we will continue to do so as we begin our commentary once more.

We also acknowledge that we are still in a global pandemic, where Covid-19 disproportionately affects Black and brown people. The leadership in the U.S. has failed us. This is, again, a symptom of the system, the status quo, that we will continue to dismantle.

Our fight is for representation and inclusion in an industry that is part of a white supremacist system, that ultimately shapes and influences how many of us see ourselves and others is not a solitary endeavor. It is a part of the bigger picture of breaking down all systems of oppression. So we are ready to continue uplifting marginalized voices and hope that you continue to do the same. There are many marginalized voices that have been fighting this fight for decades and we need to learn from their expertise and honor their wisdom, as well as cultivate and uplift a new generation of leadership and activism.

#BLM Book Resources:
Left Bank – BLM Reading List

#8toAbolition

#BlackMentalHealthMatters

Black Mental Health MattersResources for mental health

BLACK MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

#BlackTransLivesMatter

Donate to Black Trans Orgs Today!Split a donation to all the Black Trans groups listed on this page OR allocate specific amounts to individual groups. Then be sure to share… ACTBLUE

February 21, 2021 0

Shadow Fall: A Squad Divided

This review contains minor spoilers for Star Wars: Shadow Fall, an Alphabet Squadron novel by Alexander Freed. Reader be warned!

Alphabet Squadron: Shadow Fall by Alexander M. Freed

Alphabet Squadron: Shadow Fall
By Alexander Freed

Review by Matthew Boccia

Following the events of the first novel, Alphabet Squadron, author Alexander Freed takes readers deeper into the minds of the New Republic’s secret fighter squad in Shadow Fall. The rivalry between the Alphabet Squad and the Imperial remnant’s “Shadow Wing” is at the center of the story and drives each character on their journey.

While the first novel focused on setting up the timeline, characters and circumstances, this follow up allows a more character driven entry into the series. Juggling an ensemble of characters that are completely new to readers is not an easy task. There is something refreshing about finishing that introduction and getting to know each of them individually, and this novel does just that.

As leader of the squad, Yrica Quell is probably the character readers have gotten to know the most, and yet who becomes more complex the more information is revealed. Author Alexander Freed takes a very grounded approach to the inner workings of Quell’s mental and emotional state following the events of the first novel, in addition to the course of her life that brought her to the present. While dealing with guilt, anger, fear, and a lot of denial, Quell is trying to figure out how to be a leader and check in on her team. This is incredibly difficult when she’s not taking proper care of herself, and there remains the lingering secret of her involvement with Operation Cinder still hanging above her head. It’s also noted, as she opens up to an IT-O interrogator droid, that one of the moments that shaped her was her involvement with another female who had left the Empire while Quell had stayed. While this is a moment that is pivotal in helping explain Quell’s character and adds another layer to who she is, it’s worth nothing that it’s not used as a commodity. The big reveal is that Quell was in love at all, and had decided to stay where she was under Imperial service- not who she was involved with. This not only adds a more diverse and inclusive element to the Star Wars universe, but does so seamlessly.

Chass na Chadic, known to have a love of action and a lack of trust in others also gets a deeper backstory. We discover her past involvement with a cult that seemingly said all the right things but manipulated and controlled their members. When she finds herself stranded in the middle of another cult with a member of Shadow Wing, things get very complicated. Kairos is aloof as always, hiding her true appearance, and with a determined taste for fighting. Yrica is even tasked with a heads up to check in on her team, especially the enigma Kairos. Her connection with Caern Adan is a strong one, as he is the one who recruited her, as is her fierce determination to take down Shadow Wing.

Wyl Lark and Nath Tensent remain on the heels of Shadow Wing, measuring out a plan of taking them on the ground before they can get their ships in air. Both struggle with learning how to lead, and the uncertainty of the fates of their teammates who they lose contact with as the story progresses. Their struggle is a fantastic look at a journey from angry recruit to determined (albeit unwilling) leader. War is not without losses, and the author does a wonderful job of putting the reader in the heads of each character and how they are viewing everything around them: wins, losses, death, uncertainty.

Freed also gives an insight into the enemy, giving readers the viewpoint of Soran Keize, who is helping lead Shadow Wing. Hearing a villain’s perspective on events is always interesting, but even more so when it comes to war. On the one hand, the reader can almost understand why they feel the way they do, but it falls apart when set against the atrocities their side
has committed. Yet, it still feels genuine not a caricature of a “bad guy.” While reading the thoughts inside Soran’s head, it’s easy to feel like this is a real person in the world.

Shadow Fall is a perfect follow up in the Alphabet Squadron series and follows the tradition of Star Wars sequels. The characters are seperated, in dire circumstances, and the villains are hitting back as hard as they can. If Alphabet Squadron was a taste of the world being created, then this novel is the main course. With characters who feel like people that have crossed your path in real life, Shadow Fall will have you questioning the same complexities of life that they do, and coming out even stronger for it.

Click here to learn how to buy a copy of Star Wars: Shadow Fall by Alexander freed!

February 18, 2021 0

Review: Star Wars: A Crash of Fate by Zoraida Cordova

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: A Crash of Fate
Author: Zoraida Cordova

By Matthew Boccia

Zoraida Cordova’s new novel Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: A Crash of Fate is one of those rare moments where something that was originally meant just to promote another product far exceeds expectations. Set on the planet of Batuu, with most of the action taking place at Black Spire Outpost, A Crash of Fate serves as a deeper dive into the themed land Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland in California and Hollywood Studios, Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

While the book is classified as a young adult novel, the story is a great way to get a more grounded look at the events happening in the Star Wars universe- particularly during the time of the sequel trilogy. The novel focuses on Izzy and Jules, childhood best friends who are quickly separated when Izzy was six years old and flown off planet by her parents, only to find her way back thirteen years later. Jules, on the other hand, stayed behind on his family’s farm, finding work at the outpost, and as our insight to this new world.

In many ways, Izzy is very much like the reader. We are familiar with the type of world Batuu displays itself as, but seeing as how she left it at such an early age, she is unfamiliar with all the inner workings of the outpost. She is also represented as a Latinx character, her full name being Izzy Garsea, and described as having golden-brown skin. This is a great addition to the lineup of diverse characters in the universe, especially to have her be front and center in a Star Wars novel. Jules (Jules) Rakab works as the reader’s insight into how those living in Batuu view the rest of the galaxy and everything happening within it. There are some major players in Black Spire Outpost that tie into the themed land at Disneyland. Oga, the crime boss who runs the cantina is someone to be feared and respected in Batuu. All business dealings go through her, and she makes it clear that she is on nobody’s side but her own in the ongoing war. Dok Ondar runs the antiquities shop and is always searching for more rare artifacts. This is also where we find Jules working thirteen years later.

Izzy, on the other hand, grew up to learn to only depend on herself, while Jules stayed behind and knows Black Spire Outpost like the back of his hand, as well as everyone in it. When fate brings them back into each other’s lives, Jules is forced to revisit his feelings for Izzy that never truly left. However, it’s Izzy who has the biggest arc to traverse, as this new adventure must teach her how to block out the voice of her mother and an independent smuggler’s life, and learn to rely on community and let herself be loved. While not a foreign concept to the Star Wars universe (I’m looking at you Han Solo) – what makes this novel so special is not the themes that run through it. What truly sets it apart is that it takes place on a smaller scale. None of these characters are heroes of the rebellion or villains of the First Order. Most of the action takes place planet side at the outpost, and there’s only passing references to belief in what people have been calling “the force.” This is very much a story about people overcoming themselves and forming connections with others.

That being said, A Crash of Fate stretches beyond the genre of YA novel and is accessible to anyone who has a love for the Star Wars universe. While it enriches the experience of visiting the theme park, it also paints a vivid picture of the planet General Leia sends her Resistance spy, Vi Moradi to, whose story is found in the novel Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire by Delilah Dawson. It comes as no surprise as to why Leia would choose Batuu as a starting point to rebuild the Resistance once you begin to explore the world through Izzy and Jules. Is it a love story? Yes. However it’s also so much more than that. It’s about becoming part of something bigger than ourselves and allowing fate to show us that life has a way of forming connections between us no matter how far we may fly of what we may have lost.

February 18, 2021