Who knew a main character in a major sci-fi saga could be considered so expendable in all the spin-off collectables? An alarming chunk of Star Wars merchandise seems to have forgotten about Rey and it’s a development that has not gone unnoticed by The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams.
The Episode VII mastermind addressed the subject at the Television Critics Association’s press tour where he was doing promo for the upcoming Hulu offering 11.22.63. Not only was Abrams disappointed by Rey’s limited presence in the current output of Star Wars merchandise, but his stance seems to counter the theory that it was just a bid to keep the movie’s plot spoiler-free:
“I wish I had more details about merchandising and the schedule,” he said. “I’m learning things as you are. I will say that it seems preposterous and wrong that the main character of the movie is not well represented in what is clearly a huge piece of the Star Wars world in terms of merchandising. […] I read that she wasn’t in the Monopoly game and was quickly making phone calls about this because if it were true — and it is true, and now Hasbro, of course, has said they’re going to put Rey in — it doesn’t quite make sense why she wouldn’t be there. She’s somewhat important in the story.”
The outcry of #WheresRey has generated a bit of change for fans who wonder where Daisy Ridley‘s character is in all their buyables. Hasbro has stated that they’ll release an updated version of their latest Star Wars Monopoly game with Rey included as a character in the previously all-male set. Here’s hoping Rey pops up in more stuff as the endless tie-in product train keeps rolling on.
(via Polygon)
