Disney Announces Plans For New Series, Sparks Some Backlash
Star Wars fans are once again left fuming as Disney's Kathleen Kennedy continues to steer the iconic franchise toward a "woke universe of nonsense," according to Daily Wire Editor Ben Shapiro.
Kennedy's latest move, the announcement of a new woman director for the next Star Wars movie, has been met with criticism as many fear it is another step in the wrong direction for the beloved series.
In his scathing critique, Shapiro asserts that Kennedy has "destroyed" the Star Wars franchise, pointing to the disappointment and lackluster reception of the recent films as evidence. While acknowledging that Disney has produced some successful Star Wars content under the direction of executive producer Dave Filoni, Shapiro argues that giving the reins to someone completely outside the realm of sci-fi and fantasy is a questionable move.
The new director, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, is primarily known for her documentary work surrounding feminism and anti-feminism in Pakistan, earning her two Oscars. While this is certainly a commendable accomplishment, Shapiro questions the relevance of this background to the Star Wars universe. He also notes that Obaid-Chinoy was involved in the failed TV series Miss Marvel, which received little attention from viewers.
However, despite a lack of experience in the genre, Obaid-Chinoy has expressed her enthusiasm for the Star Wars project, stating that it is "something very special" and "about time" for a woman to shape the story in a galaxy far, far away. Shapiro dismisses her comment, arguing that a woman has already been in charge of the franchise and has left it in shambles.
Shapiro's frustration with Kennedy's leadership is evident as he states that "in any fair universe," she would have been fired. He accuses Kennedy of being focused solely on the concept of equity, rather than making good storytelling a priority. He suggests that Kennedy hired Obaid-Chinoy based on her gender rather than her qualifications, a move that he believes will not lead to a successful film.
Shapiro is not alone in his criticism of Kennedy's decisions. Star Wars fans have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the direction of the series, particularly the decision to kill off beloved characters and replace them with new ones that failed to capture audiences. Additionally, the decision to kill off fan-favorite characters like Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa has also been met with backlash.
Shapiro suggests that instead of handing the series to someone with no track record of success in the sci-fi and fantasy world, Kennedy should have given the opportunity to Filoni, who is known for his successful work on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. While Filoni's work has been well-received by fans, Kennedy opted to give a chance to an unproven director.
In addition to her filmmaking background, Obaid-Chinoy is also the first artist to co-chair the World Economic Forum, an organization that promotes stakeholder capitalism. Shapiro uses this detail to argue that Kennedy is more concerned with pleasing stakeholders than making quality films, and that her choices for the Star Wars franchise reflect this mindset.
Ultimately, Shapiro's cutting criticism of Kennedy and Obaid-Chinoy's involvement in the upcoming Star Wars project reflects the growing sentiment among fans that the series is in danger of losing its magic and appeal. As Kennedy continues to make decisions that disappoint and alienate fans, only time will tell if the franchise can recover or if it will continue to spiral into a "woke universe of nonsense."