'Star Wars Episode 7': Is The Force With The Ladies For A Change?
Despite the fact that Princess Leia is every bit as iconic as Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, the fact remains that the entire Star Wars series has a total of five women with speaking roles, and only three of them — Padme/Amidala, Leia, and Anakin's mother — count as major characters. It's no wonder then, that Anakin had to be conceived by the Force itself, since apparently, there aren't enough women in the Star Wars galaxy to populate a trailer park, much less a multi-planet republic, by normal means.
But could the force finally be with the double-X chromosome squad for a change? If a cryptic tweet from Slashfilm's Peter Sciretta hasn't been misunderstood, the answer is a solid "possibly"!
'Star Wars Episode 7' Plot Possibilities
Now obviously, we're still very much in early speculation mode for Star Wars Episode VII. Will it be burping- and Jar Jar-free? Will it be based in-part on the Expanded Universe? Will we see aging stoner Harrison Ford playing an elderly Han Solo, like The Dude? Who knows?! But speculation is the fuel on which the Internet runs, so far be it for me to say anything other than 'yes, all those things will be true.'
The biggest mystery is, of course, just who the new films are going to be about. Everything, from the children of our original heroes, to the further adventures of Geriatric Luke, has been baselessly suggested, but Disney is keeping mum for now. Of course, even if Disney is bringing the full power of their enormous secrets-keeping machine to bear (seriously, how did they keep the Star Wars deal a secret for so long?), now that Episode VII is almost certainly in the full flower of pre-production, tidbits are bound to come out.
Enter Sciretta, who tweeted this circumspect comment Thursday afternoon:
According to a Slashfilm Star Wars round-up post by Germain Lussier on Friday morning, Sciretta asked that this tweet be added to the article, but that “he couldn't say anymore,” which strongly suggests he knows something specific, or at least wants us to think he does. The comment could be taken in any number of ways, of course. He might simply mean they'll be casting a relatively unknown male actor in the lead. But the fact that he felt the need to specify male, rather than leave the question of gender blank, suggests the tantalizing possibility of a female lead.
And yes, the sound you hear is millions of voices, crying out, "About damned time."
As for who this character could possibly be, don't look to the established Star Wars Expanded Universe for answers. The official canon is incredibly convoluted at best. (See for yourself here.) It's a tiered system in which the movies, and George Lucas himself, overrides everything else. Sure, we might see fan favorite Mara Jade, or even Leia and Han's daughter Jaina, but given that public statements suggest the new films will plot their own course, I expect a completely new character.
Assuming for a moment that Episode VII will mine the Expanded Universe, who would you like to see take the postulated female lead? Let us know, and feel free to argue about continuity, in comments.
Ross Lincoln is a LA-based freelance writer from Oklahoma with an unhealthy obsession with comics, movies, video games, ancient history, Gore Vidal, and wine.
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Comments
Totally depends on far in the story line they decide to go. Mara Jade’s story might just be glimpsed over.
If she hadn't already made her franchise commitment with the Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence would be a good choice.
Her name is certainly out there, isn't it? And if the character turns out to be Jaina, she does sort of look like the offspring of Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford.
We agree with you wholeheartedly.
continue with princes leigha and han solos twins. Luke trains them to be jedi's one turns ans luke and the other kid go to find him (or her). As long as the original luke han and princes are in it.
jennifer lawrence as Jaina Solo. DO IT NOW!!!!!!!!
Darth TALON!!!!
Dash Rendar!
God I hope so, I LOVE Dash Rendar. I hope they tweek the timeline and put him in to lighten up Solo's presence since they may mute him some. Rendar would be an excellent new trilogy Merc if they make him as cool looking as he is in the finished drawings. I think honestly that Christian Bale with reddish hair and wiskers would be ideal. He looks almost exactly like Rendar even when he smiles. Especially his muscular stature and squinty eyes. That would be so freaking cool, but they may find an unknown that does the job...if Rendar is even in the films.
I want Luke and Mara Jade to have a daughter. And there is canon for the Expanded Universe in Star Wars films. Remember, Dash Rendar's ship the Outrider appeared flying in Star Wars Ep. 4 Special Edition.
They need a new merc to take Solo's place eventually and God I hope it's Rendar. That is one of the coolest unused characters ever in the Star Wars universe. And the Outrider is almost as cool or even slightly cooler designed than even the Falcon. A muscled Christian Bale with reddish hair and whiskers would be unbelievably awesome in that role. And he can even keep the accent. HIs look and build is perfect.
Jennifer Lawrence!!! yes if there has to be a girl main charactor be it her !!, but i still think they should go wayyy back and do REVANS TALE from the KOTOR series
It astounds me how they dont know anything about star wars and still publish these articles there are many chicks to chose from leia solo, jaina solo maria jade skywalker there vary important to the storyline 2
It was more that 5 woman that spoke: Aunt Beru (2 actors), Ion Control Lady, Mon Motha, Oola, Liea, Pasdme. ankins's mom, padme's double.
"padme's double" - aka keira knightley
AND... The bounty hunter in clones, the signer in jedi, So far 9 woman with lines (Not very many true but more than 5) and I am sure I am missing some, Oh the lady in the dinner Obi Wan goes to in Clones,,, 10
Kyle Katarn.
My vote for Star Wars VII storyline and with a possible female lead would be to have the original main characters- Luke, Leia, Han and Chewie, make an appearance, but focus on the rebuilding and training of new Jedi. They can mash up the expanded universe story lines because there's so much out there to work with and include Jedi academy series and DEFINATELY the Vong as the villains. I would love to see Mara Jade in there as a strong female character . Jen Lawrence would be my first choice for Jaina, but how about Mara Rooney- the Dragon Tattoo chic as Jana?
Care for Star Wars
No longer I do...
I really hope they do the Jaina and Jacen storyline, it would be a perfect continuation. And yes, Jennifer Lawrence would make an awesome Jaina.
Jan Ors!
If I were to do it a storyline based around a new Jedi order and the twins would be great. I wouldn't use the original actors though (don't shoot me) they're just too old! I'd propose finding actors of similar looks but 20yrs younger than Ford, Hamill and Fisher are now, which would mean any children they have would be teens which would set it up perfectly for the twins storyline. Could you picture someone like DiCaprio taking over Luke Skywalker?? It's hard to pick anyone to replace the originals but if the characters are to reappear (and I think they should) I think it's a necessary evil.. As for who to play the twins it's pretty tough! Jen Lawrence would be near on perfect, or maybe Ellen Page/Adrianne Palicki?? Joseph Gordon Levit for Jacen? Especially if he's to go bad? He may be too old though. If they base it on the twins lets just hope they get two quality performers to carry the series through!
Really the first six told the ending of the age of Sith vs Jedi. Next it would be time to wrestle with just-Jedi, sort of post-Cold War scenario. Not the mopping up of the Empire or outside threats. There could be some sort of rise of fundamentalist Jedi and the final battle could be to rid the universe of super-being orders. I would place it after the current expanded universe time line, and use whatever could be brought in. The expanded universe time line is basically played out, so start the movies after. You could deal with the events of the expanded universe in references and flashbacks.
I'd hope that they'd pick-up with (look a-like actors) right at the end of Return of Jedi with the soul of Luke from the future (with his time Lord abilities) returning with his master/grandfather to change the events of the emperor's throne room... cutting the artificial parts from Anakin and restoring his immortality shared by the three Skywalkers, wounding and imprisoning Bain's current body (Palpatine) for 1,000 years, and mostly to see that great Force trick/move when he bends the Sith's lightsaber back on him and knocks the crap out of the Red Guard.
My first thoughts were Jennifer Lawrence before I read any of these other comments. Seems quite a few have the same idea.
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Star Wars goes PC. sigh. Will there be a token homosexual hero as well?
the sad thing is, who ever gets cast in the lead roles probable wasn't born when original Star Wars came out
There are many reasons the original trilogy was and is so successful, and having the lead character being a female isn't one of them. Disney is walking on thin ice.
Hopefully it's about Cade. He's a really cool character, when compared to the old republic guys.
Focus on Jaina Solo, the "Sword of the Jedi"
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