Elon Musk is no stranger to controversy, and his latest comments about Kathleen Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm, are making waves. If you’re not caught up, Musk isn’t thrilled with how Kennedy has been managing the Star Wars franchise. He’s taken to social media to voice his discontent, particularly focusing on what he perceives as her bias against men.
"She's more deadly than the Death Star!" Musk quipped on his social media platform X, reacting to a meme that labeled Kennedy a "franchise killer." This wasn’t just a random jab—Musk seems genuinely irked by the direction Star Wars has taken under Kennedy’s leadership.
Kennedy, who took the reins at Lucasfilm after Disney bought the company in 2012, has certainly had a mixed reception. Initially, she scored big with hits like "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in 2015 and "Rogue One" in 2016. But as the new entries kept rolling out, fan enthusiasm started to wane. Remember "Solo: A Star Wars Story"? That 2018 release was a major box office bomb.
Even the franchise's leap into streaming has been a rollercoaster. Shows like "The Book of Boba Fett" didn’t quite hit the mark with audiences, despite the high hopes. Rotten Tomatoes ratings reflect this mixed bag of reactions. Kennedy's focus on progressive themes and bringing female protagonists to the forefront has been a contentious point. While some applaud the inclusivity, others, like Musk, are not so thrilled.
In a post on X, Musk accused Kennedy of being "super bigoted against men." This comment was in response to an interview Kennedy did with The New York Times. In that interview, Kennedy stood by Leslye Headland, the director and writer of the latest Star Wars series "The Acolyte." Headland faced backlash from fans who branded her as "woke." Kennedy highlighted the unique challenges women face in the Star Wars universe, particularly due to the predominantly male fan base.
"Operating within these giant franchises now, with social media and the level of expectation, it's terrifying," Kennedy said in the interview. She added, "I think a lot of the women who step into 'Star Wars' struggle with this a bit more. Because of the fan base being so male-dominated, they sometimes get attacked in ways that can be quite personal."
But let’s not put all the blame on Kennedy. Former Disney CEO Bob Iger also had thoughts on the matter. In 2019, he admitted that Disney might have flooded the market with too much Star Wars content too quickly after acquiring Lucasfilm. "I just think that we might've put a little bit too much in the marketplace too fast," Iger told The New York Times. Iger, who stepped down as CEO in 2020, returned to the position in 2022, so his insights carry a lot of weight.
This isn't the first time Musk has taken aim at "woke" ideology and those who support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Earlier this year, he criticized fellow billionaire Mark Cuban for backing corporate DEI initiatives. "Mark Cuban is desperately trying to signal his 'virtue,' but his hypocrisy convinces no one," Musk said in a January X post.
Musk's disdain for DEI didn't stop there. "DEI is just another word for racism. Shame on anyone who uses it," he declared in another post. His outspoken nature and willingness to tackle hot-button issues have made him both a polarizing and influential figure in the tech and entertainment worlds.
It’s clear Musk isn’t shy about expressing his opinions, no matter how controversial they might be. His critique of Kennedy is just one instance in a long line of outspoken remarks. Whether you agree with him or not, Musk’s comments have certainly stirred the pot and added another layer to the ongoing debate about the future of Star Wars under Kennedy’s leadership.
So, where do we go from here? Will Kennedy's vision for Star Wars continue to polarize fans, or will the franchise find a way to bridge the gap between old and new, male and female audiences? And how much weight do Musk's comments carry in shaping public opinion?
For now, fans and critics alike are left to ponder the future of a galaxy far, far away. One thing’s for sure: the Star Wars saga is far from over, both on-screen and off. As we watch this space (pun intended), it's worth noting that the power of fandom and celebrity opinions can greatly influence the trajectory of beloved franchises.
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