In a striking critique of the latest “Star Wars” franchise management under Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, Elon Musk has sparked a significant controversy. Musk, the outspoken billionaire, took to social media platform X to voice his dissatisfaction with Kennedy’s leadership, which he deems intolerant towards men and disastrous for the beloved sci-fi saga.
According to Musk, Kennedy’s handling of the franchise, including the decision to produce “The Acolyte,” a series featuring an all-female witch coven, is more lethal to “Star Wars” than the Death Star itself. He accuses Kennedy of being “super bigoted against men,” a claim that highlights a growing tension within the fandom.
Lucasfilm, under Kennedy’s direction, has attempted to diversify its storytelling and broaden its audience. However, Musk’s comments underscore a broader backlash from a segment of the franchise’s traditionally male-dominated fanbase. In a recent interview with “The New York Times,” Kennedy discussed the daunting expectations of managing a major franchise and the specific challenges women face from certain aggressive fan reactions.
“The Acolyte,” directed by Leslye Headland, aims to explore new narratives within the “Star Wars” universe, focusing on female characters who, according to the storyline, mysteriously produce female offspring. This thematic shift has stirred debate about representation and inclusivity in blockbuster cinema.
Kennedy’s efforts to navigate these choppy waters come at a time when an internal survey among “Star Wars” fans showed a predominantly male viewership, with over 70% of the audience being male. This demographic detail adds another layer to the challenges faced by Kennedy and her team in striving to balance legacy fan expectations with new creative directions.
Musk’s criticism on social media was met with mixed reactions, highlighting a fracture within the “Star Wars” community about the direction of the franchise and the industry’s broader shift towards inclusivity and diversity. Whether these debates will affect the long-term viability of the franchise or simply reflect temporary growing pains remains to be seen.