As a gamer with a heart for diversity and representation, I’ve been following the evolution of Star Wars closely, and it’s truly exciting to witness its progress towards inclusivity. The casting of talented individuals like Tony Revolori and Marsai Martin in LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy is a testament to this change.
The iconic Star Wars films and programs, cherished as they are, have faced criticism in certain communities for predominantly homogeneous casting. However, there has been notable progress in recent times towards making the series more diverse. This movement towards inclusivity persists with LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, boasting actors like Tony Revolori and Marsai Martin as part of its ensemble. TopMob recently interviewed these two actors, who shared their experiences being a part of the expanding wave of diversity in a galaxy far, far away.
Marsai Martin lends her voice to Yesi Scala, a girl from a farming family on Fennesa who yearns to traverse the galaxy. However, after her friends Sig and Dev Greebling manipulate the “Cornerstone,” an alternate version of Yesi is introduced as a part of the Rebellion. When I questioned Martin about joining the growing number of actors of color in this franchise, the former star of “Black-ish” expressed that she recognizes she now holds a significant role not just for Lucasfilm’s space epic but also within the broader entertainment industry.
I’m fortunate to portray a character that starts with no backstory, a young Black girl in a long-running franchise. It’s an honor for me to be part of an industry that is progressing and shaping the future – the next phase of our industry. We seem to always be expanding to tell more stories about us, by us, for us. It’s remarkable to join such big franchises that were once predominantly male-led, and it carries a significant message. For producers, entrepreneurs, or anyone else involved in this project from various perspectives, it holds even more meaning. In essence, the project stands for its own powerful message.
It’s important to acknowledge that the Star Wars series has included actors of diverse backgrounds throughout its history. Notable figures like Billy Dee Williams and Samuel L. Jackson (who expresses interest in reprising his role as Mace Windu) have been instrumental to the franchise. However, it can’t be denied that characters of color were not as prevalent as their white counterparts. The last ten years, though, have seen the addition of actors like John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, Amandla Stenberg, and Diego Luna, among others. There’s still work to be done, but there’s also reason for optimism. In another context, Marsai Martin recently stated:
I feel like that’s the beautiful thing about this project, is there’s so many layers into it, you know, because you do have minorities that are coming from different walks of life, different parts of the world, to be able to play these very strong, universal characters [that are] for everyone. So I think those, all those elements, make this project even more special. And I pray to continue to be in more projects like this one, and to continue to change the narrative of [breaking] the boundaries that we’ve been growing, to break down.
In our chat, Tony Revolori, with Guatemalan ancestry, opened up about his insights regarding representation. Known for playing Flash Thompson in the latest Spider-Man trilogy and having auditioned for Peter Parker, he has been a trailblazer. On the show “Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy”, Revolori lends his voice to Dev Greebling, Sig’s caring older brother who transforms into a ruthless Sith lord in the reimagined galaxy.
Indeed, it may not be the main focus, but finding a straightforward resolution isn’t simple. Yet, I can’t help but feel thankful, given my involvement in the Spider-Man franchises and portraying a character there. It’s heartening to know that my role had a significant impact on people, including someone dear to me, my little brother, who found representation on screen meaningful. Seeing this representation continue is truly inspiring.
Regarding his roles, the actor from “The Grand Budapest Hotel” particularly valued an aspect of his “Star Wars” experience. This was because race and ethnicity were not relevant in the story’s context or during the casting process. Interestingly, there was a detail about the character he provided a voice for that caught his fancy: this was the case where these factors did not play a role in the character’s representation.
What I find most delightful about this project is that it’s never explicitly discussed. During the casting process between us, it wasn’t due to my skin color or anything like that. It simply was, and it’s equally enchanting that the mini-figures they’ve created reflect us. I was grateful for this, and I didn’t even anticipate it would happen. It means so much to me. As Marsai pointed out, we want people, not just in front of the camera, but also behind it, making decisions that bring us here, so everyone can recognize us, appreciate our stories, and listen to them.
It’s definitely true that it’s important to have a wide range of actors in front of the camera, but it’s just as (if not more) important to have people of different backgrounds in behind-the-scenes roles. That’s because, as Tony Revolori and Marsai Martin conveyed, the people in those positions can ensure that varied stories are told and countless people can be represented in the process. One would hope that as time goes on, positive change in that regard will continue to sweep across Hollywood and the fictional world of droids, Jedi and Sith.
As a devoted Star Wars enthusiast, I highly recommend you to explore “LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy,” a four-part series now accessible through your Disney+ subscription. Furthermore, take a peek at the 2024 TV schedule for additional exciting Star Wars content, and delve into updates on upcoming Star Wars TV shows and films!
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2024-09-18 03:37