In a recent social media rant, Elon Musk criticized Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy’s management of the Star Wars franchise, calling her “more deadly than the Death Star.” Since Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, Kennedy’s leadership has received mixed reviews from fans, with some citing declining box office numbers and underperforming entries into the franchise. Musk’s criticism also focused on Kennedy’s focus on progressive themes and female protagonists, accusing her of being “super bigoted against men.” However, Kennedy is not the sole reason for the franchise’s perceived decline, as former Disney CEO Bob Iger suggested that the studio may have released too many Star Wars projects too quickly in 2019.
This isn’t the first time that Musk has spoken out against what he sees as “woke” ideology and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. He has previously criticized Mark Cuban for supporting corporate DEI initiatives. Kennedy’s response to Musk’s criticism is still pending, but it comes in the wake of Musk’s public disagreements with other high-profile figures over DEI initiatives, including a heated exchange with Cuban and jokingly claiming to have been appointed as the Chief DEI Officer at Disney. Musk’s comments are part of a larger trend of pushback against DEI efforts in the corporate world.
It is important to note that the decline in the Star Wars franchise cannot be solely attributed to Kennedy’s leadership, as other factors such as the rapid release of projects may have contributed to the franchise’s mixed reception by fans. Musk’s criticism of Kennedy ties into a broader conversation about DEI initiatives in the corporate world, as he continues to speak out against what he perceives as excessive focus on diversity and inclusion.
Overall, Musk’s comments on Kennedy’s leadership of the Star Wars franchise highlight a larger conversation about the impact of DEI efforts in the corporate world and the mixed reception of recent Star Wars projects. As the story continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how Kennedy and Lucasfilm respond to Musk’s criticism and how this fits into the larger discussion around diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
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