“Anyone who engages in bigotry, racism or hate speech I don’t consider a fan”
BY YASMIN VINCE, IMAGE BY DISNEY+
Leslye Headland, the creator of the Star Wars spin-off The Acolyte, has spoken about how being a queer woman informed her choices when writing the show.
In an interview with Vulture, Leslye said the ending, particularly Vernestra’s decision to frame Sol for murder, was informed by something a therapist had said to her about coming out as queer.
“I had a therapist once who told me that coming out as a queer person is not what makes your parents upset,” began Leslye. “What they’re mad about is revealing a secret. That dynamic is also driving Vernestra.”
Vernestra Rwoh was a Jedi who covered up who really murdered several of the Order’s members by blaming it on Sol, another Jedi who she had witnessed die. Vernestra did this to prevent an investigation into the Jedi Order, which she believed would be fuelled by anti-Jedi sentiment.
The Acolyte’s cast and crew have been victim to a number of hateful comments from people who view the show as making the Star Wars franchise too woke. These claims were hurled at the show before the show premiered for casting Amandla Stenberg, a Black, gay, non-binary actor, in the lead role.
Addressing these claims in The New York Times, Leslye said: “Anyone who engages in bigotry, racism or hate speech I don’t consider a fan.”
Leslye also told Vulture that she thought people would be upset with her for mentioning queerness again but also implied that it was her responsibility to do so. “They’re probably going to be mad I’m talking so much about my queerness, but I’m just going to do it because I made a Star Wars and only a few people have done that and I’m a queer woman.”
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