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 Porgs make their debut in "The Last Jedi," the new "Star Wars"
movie that reaches theatres Thursday. Film trailers have offered
only glimpses of a single Porg that rides shotgun on the
Millennium Falcon and, in one scene, lets out a squawk.
The limited view of their role has sparked questions: are the
Porgs sweet or sad? Funny or irritating?
Cuddly creatures are rare in a movie franchise better known for
metallic droids and the grotesque Jabba the Hutt, and their
occasional appearances haven't always pleased fans. Many
filmgoers believed the teddy bear-like Ewoks ruined the ending
of 1983's "Return of the Jedi."
"'Star Wars' fans, understandably, always have suspicion about
anything that's too adorable," said Rian Johnson, who wrote and
directed "The Last Jedi," in an interview with Reuters.
But, he added, "I think the Porgs have their proper place in the
movie. I think they fit."
Fan reaction was mixed after a Porg appeared in a "The Last
Jedi" trailer in October. Many embraced the creature as cute and
huggable, but detractors speculated that Porgs might become the
next Jar Jar Binks, a much-derided character from 1999 film "The
Phantom Menace."
"I hate porgs," one Twitter user wrote in October. "I don't
think they're cute at all, and I dislike how blatantly gimmicky
they are."
Cast members have joined the debate. John Boyega, who plays
Finn, likened Porgs to cockroaches in an interview, while Luke
Skywalker actor Mark Hamill has rallied to their defense on
Twitter.
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When Disney showed "The Last Jedi" to more than 6,000 people at the
movie's premiere on Saturday, the Porgs seemed to captivate audience
members, who laughed at their playful scenes with Chewbacca.
Comments on social media were largely positive.
Sales of "Star Wars" toys are important to Disney, which bought the
franchise in 2012. "Star Wars" items were the U.S. toy industry's
top-selling line in both 2015 and 2016, with $1.5 billion in sales
over the two years, research firm NPD Group said.
Disney licensees are already selling plush Porgs of all sizes,
including one that measures four feet (over one meter) tall, to
holiday shoppers at malls, online and at theme parks.
If the Porgs take off, they could boost sales of plush toys, which
accounted for just 2 percent of "Star Wars" U.S. toy sales related
to 2015 film "The Force Awakens," according to NPD toy industry
analyst Juli Lennett. A Hasbro Inc Porg is the best-selling "Star
Wars" plush toy in the 13 weeks ending Nov. 25, Lennett said.
Porg is the most searched for "Star Wars" character on the
shopDisney website in December, Disney said.
Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of toy review website TTPM, predicts
Porgs will be popular with younger children, as Ewoks were. "As much
as people criticized them, they sold a gazillion of them," Silver
said. "The collectors say they didn't like Ewoks, but the kids
thought they looked cute."
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Additional reporting by Rollo Ross;
Editing by Sue Horton and Rosalba O'Brien)
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