Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Disney pulls back on marketing 'Slave Leia' and her gold bikini
File: In this photo taken Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, Princess Leia's slave bikini, right, and her Boushh disguise are displayed as part of an exhibit on the costumes of Star Wars at Seattle’s EMP Museum.
(
Elaine Thompson/AP
)
The Star Wars universe's Princess Leia trended online this week, and it's not just because of excitement over next month's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" — it's due to the apparent end of the "Slave Leia" version of the character when it comes to Disney's marketing and merchandising.
Who is "Slave Leia"?
In the original Star Wars trilogy, slave trader Jabba the Hutt takes Princess Leia captive and forced to wear a revealing golden bikini in which she's chained to Jabba. She ultimately uses that chain against Jabba to strangle him to death, but many over the years have seen the outfit demeaning, particularly given the character's otherwise proactive actions throughout the series.
What's happening with the "Slave Leia" costume?
While several sites are citing anonymous sources, one person that's come forward is comic book artist J. Scott Campbell, who's drawn some Star Wars material for Marvel. He said that the controversial outfit wouldn't be part of any future merchandising and that they weren't allowed to draw Leia in a "sexy pose" for Marvel, including that outfit. He also said that a Slave Leia statue that was being made was killed in production due to the end of Slave Leia merchandise, which could be seen as a surprise due to the popularity of Slave Leia merchandise over the years.
Support for LAist comes from
Mashable points out that this isn't going to keep fans from dressing up as Slave Leia at fan conventions — the revealing look has proven popular with fanboys over the years. Of course, Disney may take some actions to reduce the outfit's profile — at their own D23 fan convention, they ask people to wear family friendly costuming, and costumes like this could certainly fall outside of that rule at future conventions from Disney. Star Wars being under the Disney umbrella means that the Star Wars Celebration convention could see Disney restrict Slave Leias there as well.
What does Leia herself think about "Slave Leia"?
Leia actress Carrie Fisher recently did an interview for Interview Magazine with Daisy Ridley, the female lead in the new "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." In the interview, Fisher asked Ridley if she'd thought about how she'll likely be made a sex symbol through her role in the series.
"Don't be a slave like I was. ... You keep fighting against that slave outfit," Fisher said.
Ridley replied that she would keep fighting.
Read some reactions to the news online below:
Support for LAist comes from
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist