Women take their place on frontline of new Star Wars Movie
In addition to main character Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, the film also stars Lupita Nyong’o as pirate Maz Kanata and Gwendoline Christie as evil Phasma — as well as female stormtroopers and pilots.
Abrams said: “From the very beginning of our discussion about this movie, the notion of a woman at the centre of the story was always something that was compelling to me and exciting.
“Not just at the centre, but it was important that in addition to Leia [Carrie Fisher], who we knew was a critical piece of this puzzle, that you wanted to have other women and female characters in the story.
“We always wrote Rey as this central character, but as we started casting this movie it just felt like one of the things we knew we wanted to do, and make the film look and feel the way the world looks and feels.”
Christie spoke about seeing her costume, designed by Michael Kaplan, for the first time. She said: “I was really astounded by how extraordinary it looked. Also that it was practical.
“And I loved the fact that it hadn’t been feminised in any way, it hasn’t been sexualised in any way. It was practical armour.
“And what I got from the costume was that this was a woman who was imposing, uncompromising, and high- functioning.”
Meanwhile, Harrison Ford said he wants nothing to do with the Han Solo origins film which was announced in the summer.
On the movie, which is due to start filming in 2017, he said: “I don’t know even what to think of that. I’m glad that someone else is going to have the burden of being young.
“It’s well beyond my understanding or control and I of course want nothing to do with it.”
Ford, 73, who returned for
after playing Solo in the original three films, said he enjoyed filming the latest movie more than he expected to.
Ford said: “I have actually relished this entire experience in a way that I had not anticipated. I think a lot of the credit for that goes to JJ and Larry [Kasdan, the writer].”
lead newcomers Ridley and John Boyega told of their unique experience at suddenly becoming famous.
Boyega, who plays Finn, said: “We went to Tokyo and the first thing we saw was a 7/11. I saw Daisy’s face, I saw my face, and then I saw BB-8 (the Star Wars drone).
“I was like — I’m in Tokyo, I’ve never been here in my life. But to have my image here and Daisy’s was a weird experience — especially as we’re two proud Londoners.”
Ridley recalled daydreaming about being on the side of a bus while she worked in a pub just two years ago.
She said: “I used to watch buses go past with posters on and I’d be like, oh that would be really cool.
“I said to John in LA, I can’t wait — I hope I’m on a bus. But I’ve not seen a bus yet.”
Fisher, who returns as Leia in
, has had decades to get used to seeing her image on the film’s merchandise.
She recalled the strangest Leia product: “A shampoo bottle — because you can twist off your head. And there’s a marijuana strain called Princess Leia. Not for me — but I have friends.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
