Lucasfilm Promises Female ‘Star Wars’ Director

It is awesome to see some diveristy!

DURP004 - As a woman, I could not agree with you more! Indeed; by simply hiring someone for their gender/race, you cheapen their contributions. Creating a story should always be about passion and understanding for the source material - not politically correct nonsense. Regardless, I applaud your level-headed approach to this topic. :)

More faux feminism. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, we as a site filled with many, many forums are all to aware of this fact, butthe sad truth is justbecause you are entitled to something doesn't necessarily mean you should use it, especially when it comes to matters like sexism or racism. DC and Warner Bros hiring Patty Jenkins to direct next years Wonder Woman reduces that movie, and a bulk of its marketing, to a platform about sexism. The same applies to the genderswapping of the main characters in this years Ghostbusters, directed by Paul Feig. And all this bears similar weight to Jada Pinkett Smiths call for black Americans in Hollywood to boycott the Oscars, all because she feels "Blacks" are not recognised by the board.

Sexism first - Remember the move Strange Daysm the one with the "squids" memory recorders, or how about something more recent such as the controversial and very powerful (I felt) Zero Dark Thirty, or how about a classic that has recently, and poorly, been remade. An action cult classic starring the late Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves... Point Break. All three ofthese movies were directed by the same person, a woman by the name of Kathryn Bigelow. As with any industry, the movie business is predominantly ran by men, and while a womans voice is far from equal, womens voices are becoming heard, by women; not by men directing women or men hiring women to direct but by women who direct what they can, when they can and to the best of their ability. Annie Leibovitz's behind the scenes photographs of The Force Awakens are proof in point of a woman talented in herfeild and employed for her profession, not her gender.

Racism occurs among all colors and creeds. While black Americans can claim some more weight to calls of racsim, when considering the countries history of how it has treat its black citizens, vocal black Americans or those that feel the need to harbor the cause of black Americans should be reminded that other races have been treated far worse in recent history. Of course I could mention the millions of Jews who were abused and murdered by the Nazis, but what about the native Americans whom were invaded by europeans and slaughtered all but to extinction. Neither or these latter two minorities are as vocal about racism than black Americans, despite suffering much greater for the color their skin or the country of their heritage. Take the movie Gods of Egypt. This movie has caused many anti-racists to voice their very vocal opinion on the casting in the movie calling for audiences to boycott the movie, without realising that their call to arms is actually generating more marketing for the movie than any of its trailers.

If Mrs smith wants to make a point about the board of old white men ignoring black talent in Hollywood, then you dont boycott the event, you show up en-masse and peacefully, supported by colleagues of other skin colors, segregate the audience into two - one part white, one part colored; make a very public, peaceful and powerful point, just the way Martin Luther King woud have. Remember, the loudest voice is silence!

GAVIN SINGLETON - Beautifully said, sir. We are all people of color - just different ones. If the world were to simply realize and embrace the beautiful diversity evidenced by all men and women instead of segregating itself into groups based on something so superficial as the pigmentation of skin, I believe there would be a greater drive for peace. We are each based upon a genetic blueprint slowly crafted by the universe over thousands of years, which means we are meant to be the way we are. We are human - singularly. :)

Should not matter about the Gender, Race or Age of a Director the only thing that matters is if the Person they are going to use, will actually be able to do the Movie justice and has good credentials.

I do think Disney however do take the Political correct route and maybe thats why they are pushing for a Female Director and if that Director can do the Job and has had a decent track record in the past then thats all that matters.... I do however think they need a Top Director who is up there with one of the Top 5, but if they chose to give someone else a Chance then its their risk, and maybe it could pay off...  It certainly would be interesting to see Female Directors being given chances.