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Walt Disney Co and Lucasfilm announced on Thursday that "Star
Wars Forces of Destiny" will focus on the "untold stories of
everyday heroism that shape the destinies" of the main female
characters in the franchise.
The move is the latest by Disney to broaden the male-dominated
audience for the "Star Wars" series, which is celebrating the
40th anniversary of the original 1977 film starring Carrie
Fisher, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill.
The 2-3 minute shorts will be launched on Disney YouTube in July
and followed by more shorts on Disney Channel television in the
autumn. A range of new action figures and dolls, as well as
other merchandise, will also be released.
"'Star Wars Forces of Destiny' is for anyone who has been
inspired by Leia’s heroism, Rey’s courage, or Ahsoka's
tenacity,” Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, said in a
statement.
Actors Daisy Ridley (Rey), Felicity Jones (Jyn) and Lupita
Nyong'o (Maz Kanata) will voice their characters. The voice for
Princess Leia, played in the movies by Carrie Fisher, will be
supplied by Shelby Young following Fisher's sudden death of a
heart attack in December.
Fans launched a social media campaign #WheresRey in 2016 when
Ridley's fearless Rey in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" was
missing from some of the film's toys and merchandising.
The new range will include a doll in which Rey swings her
lightsaber, her extendable staff and an electronic Jedi power
lightsaber toy.
John Frascotti, president of toymaker Hasbro Inc, said in a
statement the "Star Wars" fan base has broadened over the last
40 years, and the "Forces of Destiny" toy line would "help
connect with new audiences as well as appeal to existing fans."
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant in New York; Editing by Matthew
Lewis)
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