For the first time, Leslye Headland talks Star Wars! The Russian Doll showrunner Headland will be leading an untitled Star Wars series. Details are sparse and we don’t even have a title as yet. The writer gives no details about her project, but instead talks about what it means for a gay woman to get their foot in the door with a franchise as big as Star Wars. Star Wars has thus far only used female directors for a few episodes of The Mandalorian. However, we know that Deborah Chow is showrunner on the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, along with Headland on her mystery show. The times, they are a-changing.
Headland appeared on EW‘s Untold Stories: Pride Edition. She was there to celebrate the impact of prolific writer Fran Lebowitz. However, Headland also acknowledged the impact of a gay woman taking the reins on one of Hollywood’s biggest properties.
“It’s shocking to hear that to me,” she said regarding her unique place in Star Wars. “Although I know it’s true because there are so few of us that are allowed to sit at the table, so to speak, and many, many more that are still not allowed. It’s an honor in the sense that I feel incredibly grateful and lucky. I also would say that… I think Fran would agree with this, that a lot of this business is luck. A lot of it is.”
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Headland wants to try and offer the same opportunities she has received to other upcoming minority groups.
“The number one way to get into the room is when people send the elevator back down for you. The real joy is when I read a young woman’s script, or a young woman of color’s script, or a young LGBTQ writer and say, ‘Oh my God, this is great. This is great. I’m going to send this off to this person. You know who I know would love this? It is so and so. I’m going to send that to that person.’ I don’t say that in an altruistic way or yay me, or I’m a good person. I’m saying that actually makes me happy.”
Good stories are good stories. It should never matter what gender, race, or sexuality a writer is. What should matter is the quality of the writing itself. If society puts limits on who can write, then we potentially miss some magic, not even mentioning how unfair that is. Not every writer will make it, but whether you do or don’t should depend on the quality of your work. Far too often for some writers their rejection has been for other reasons. Sometimes even the unconventional ideals they can bring to their work.
Hollywood is filled with a lot of bang average writers, who just churn out the same old tosh again and again. Hollywood needs an injection of originality, and yet there always seems to be resistance. As said above, things are changing and hopefully for the better.
What do you think as Headland talks Star Wars, and being a gay, female writer in Hollywood? Leave your thoughts below in the usual spot.
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SOURCE: EW
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