Many complaints have been leveled at 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' from critics and fans alike, but one that is ringing out loudly is the one about Rose Tico.
Played by Kelly Marie Tran, Rose Tico was a central character introduced in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' who, in promotional materials at least, was expected to have a major role in 'The Rise of Skywalker'. However, many fans were sad and angry to discover that the character is pretty brutally sidelined in the latest film.
Rose Tico made history as the first WOC lead in a #StarWars live action movie... And, she was reduced to a few lines. She could had easily joined the group on the adventure, but sure, make her a background character in #TheRiseOfSkywalker . 🙄 pic.twitter.com/j29WeaYPXN
— Laura ลอร'า 劳拉 🍥 (@lsirikul) December 20, 2019
rose tico deserved to be a main character. she deserved to lead the fight against the ones who ruined her childhood. she deserved to avenge her sister. she deserved to get the recognition she owns for her devotion to the resistance. pic.twitter.com/ETwwNFPnNk
— poe's beard pr manager (@forcepiIots) December 20, 2019
This, combined with the fact Tran was forced off social media after being trolled viciously and relentlessly following the release of 'The Last Jedi', has transformed that sadness and anger into outrage as Slate's Violet Kim went to the cinema and timed exactly how long Rose Tico was onscreen for and returned with the answer of "just 1 minute and 16 seconds, give or take a few seconds".
#RoseTicoDeservedBetter has started trending off the back of this new information, although it's hard to see how there's going to be a positive outcome for anyone unless JJ Abrams pulls a Zack Snyder and does a new cut of the film, which is highly unlikely.
Promised I wouldn't tweet about the bad space movie again but I will ABSOLUTELY hop on the #RoseTicoDeservedBetter train. Regardless of intention, her near-exclusion from the movie can ONLY read like Disney choosing to side with the most sexist, racist elements of its fanbase.
— Isaac Coleman Says #BlackLivesMatter (@LastSpaceMarine) December 26, 2019
quite frankly, rose tico IS star wars. she is the common person of the galaxy, rising up in resistance and rebellion. her message of fighting out of love, not hate, is THE central theme. it's the main lesson george lucas was trying to teach us. #RoseTicoDeservedBetter
— joe (@sokkaology) December 26, 2019
I really hate to hate on Star Wars but diminishing Rose Tico’s screen presence after Kelly Marie Tran was relentlessly harassed online by people who disliked her character just makes it seem like the bullies won... #SWRepMatters #RoseTicoDeservedBetter https://t.co/oCNiKoxkPa
— Kyberologist (@kyberologist) December 26, 2019
she was the first female asian protag Star Wars EVER HAD, after an illustrious history of anti-asian racism & appropriation of Asian culture in prior films. TLJ was enriched by her presence, the ENTIRETY of Star Wars canon was enriched by her presence. #roseticodeservedbetter
— doctor victor von gloom ⛈️✨ (@foeyeahboi) December 26, 2019
'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' is now well on its way to crossing that once-mythic box office number of $1 billion, despite having the lowest opening weekend of the new trilogy.
