Fans may not need to wait much longer for a gay character in Star Wars

Those awaiting a gay character in the wildly Star Wars film series may not need to wait much longer.

J J Abrams, the producer of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, has said the films are all about “inclusivity”.

When asked by the Daily Beast whether there would be a gay character in upcoming Star Wars films, he said: “Of course!”

“When I talk about inclusivity it’s not excluding gay characters. It’s about inclusivity. So of course,” he went on.

Last month, amid a controversy surrounding the Oscars for a lack of diversity, Abrams said: “I think we all have a hell of a lot to do, and I think it is insane to me that we still have to have a conversation about inclusivity. It’s shameful.”

This may come as good news to The Force Awakens star John Boyega, who last month revived hopes for a gay Star Wars romance for his character.

Last year’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens featured a close bond between Resistance pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) and stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) – with rumours spreading that Disney is setting up a gay romance between two of the film’s main characters.

Isaac added fuel to the fire by hinting at an undisclosed romance of some kind, adding: “I think it’s very subtle romance that’s happening. You know, you have to just look very close — you have to watch it a few times to see the little hints. But there was.”

Boyega initially shut down reports, but hinted to Radio Times that there’s still life in the idea yet.

He said: “As far as I’m concerned, when JJ [Abrams] sat us down to go through the script, it was a bromance.

“But now I’m learning what Mark Hamill said before when he didn’t know that Darth Vader was Luke’s father: you never know what they’re going to pull.

“I’m looking at the director Rian [Johnson] closely so he can get me involved early, so I can prepare myself. So who knows?”

• Dec 01 2023

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