Hasbro had a really lame explanation for Rey’s absence from Star Wars Monopoly

[UPDATE: 1/6/15]Hasbro caved! Rey will be added to Monopoly!

ORIGINAL ARTICLE BELOW:

There has been a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices cried out “Where”s Rey?” while trying to purchase a Star Wars themed Monopoly board. As the holiday season winds down, the cry has been taken up across social media. Perhaps if removing female characters from merchandising wasn”t an endemic issue, consumers wouldn”t be so vocal. But as such, Hasbro felt the need to explain themselves. But it”s not a very good explanation.

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR “STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS” INSIDE.

“The Star Wars: Monopoly game was released in September, months before the movie”s release, and Rey was not included to avoid revealing a key plot line that she takes on Kylo Ren and joins the Rebel Alliance.”

What? How could making Rey a playable character in Monopoly have POSSIBLY given away the spoiler that she takes up Luke Skywalker”s lightsaber and does battle with Kylo Ren? Unless they designed her playing piece to be holding said lightsaber. Which there was no reason to do, since Rey wields a staff throughout most of the film – and all of the trailers and commercials.

Based on the game board, it appears players must choose between the dark side…and the light. Kylo Ren and his Pop Pop represent the Dark Side while Luke Skywalker and Finn represent the Light Side. Hasbro”s logic is they didn”t want to “spoil” that Rey chooses to side with the Light…was that ever up for debate? Would anyone have looked at Star Wars Monopoly, with Rey holding her staff and standing on a blue disc and thought “GREAT! NOW I KNOW SHE”S A HERO. THANKS HASBRO!”? If so, why not swap out Classic Luke for Classic Leia…they could even reuse her mold from this version.

Can we call a mulligan on January of 2016? Just lump it in with 2015 as spill-off? Yes? Good.

[Via EW]

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