ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the evolving portrayal and representations of aliens, droids, and the concept of ‘otherness’ in all aspects and materials of the Star Wars universe. Through analysis of films, television shows, comics, novels, and computer games it shows the franchise has explored issues of race, sexuality, and religion through non-human characters and settings. The original films were overwhelmingly dominated by white male actors, but the Expanded Universe has allowed for greater exploration of non-mainstream representation. A significant aspect of this has been the portrayal of religious fanaticism through specific alien cultures as a means of understanding post-Cold War conflicts such as the War on Terror. Since Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 the publish arm of the franchise has shown far greater willingness to incorporate wider representation of race, gender, and sexuality. However, the sequel trilogy was greeted with backlash from some fans for deviating from the white male mainstream. This chapter places the backlash in wider context alongside the GamerGate phenomenon.
CW: Racism, Sexism, Misogyny, Gender.
