In a candid interview, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has addressed the toxic behavior exhibited by certain segments of the Star Wars fanbase, particularly towards women involved in the franchise. Kennedy’s comments come in defense of The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland, who has faced online harassment and backlash from some fans, even before the Disney+ series has premiered.
“Operating within these giant franchises now, with social media and the level of expectation — it’s terrifying,” Kennedy told The New York Times. “I think Leslye has struggled a little bit with it. I think a lot of the women who step into ‘Star Wars’ struggle with this a bit more. Because of the fan base being so male-dominated, they sometimes get attacked in ways that can be quite personal.”
Kennedy’s remarks highlight the ongoing issue of misogynistic behavior and personal attacks directed at women working on Star Wars projects by a portion of the fanbase. This toxicity has plagued the franchise for years, with actors like Daisy Ridley and Kelly Marie Tran facing online harassment and bullying in the past, leading some to abandon social media altogether.
Headland, the creator and showrunner of The Acolyte, has also been a target of online vitriol, with some fans dubbing the series “Wokelyte” due to its diverse cast. Headland addressed the criticism, stating, “As a fan myself, I know how frustrating some ‘Star Wars’ storytelling in the past has been. I’ve felt it myself. I stand by my empathy for ‘Star Wars’ fans. But I want to be clear. Anyone who engages in bigotry, racism or hate speech… I don’t consider a fan.”
Kennedy defended the importance of inclusive storytelling, asserting, “My belief is that storytelling does need to be representative of all people. That’s an easy decision for me.”
The toxic behavior from a portion of the Star Wars fanbase has been a longstanding issue, with directors like J.J. Abrams previously condemning the backlash against Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi, attributing it to fans who feel “threatened by women and need to lash out against them.”
As the Star Wars universe continues to expand with new projects and diverse creative voices, Kennedy’s comments serve as a reminder of the ongoing battle against toxic fandom and the need for a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all creators and fans alike.