J.J. Abrams Shares His Thoughts On 'Rey' Not Being Included In STAR WARS Merchandise

J.J. Abrams Shares His Thoughts On 'Rey' Not Being Included In STAR WARS Merchandise

For the people who were in outrage about the lack of Rey merchandise released by Disney, I'll let you know that you're not alone! Director J.J. Abrams shared your opinion, and revealed that he thinks "it doesn't make any sense" and it's "preposterous". Check it out!

By NightWatcher - Jan 09, 2016 11:01 AM EST
Filed Under: Star Wars
Source: The Wrap


After a TCA panel, Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams revealed that he thinks it's "preposterous" and "wrong" that Daisy Ridley's character in "The Force Awakens", Rey, was excluded from much of the film's merchandise. "It seems preposterous and wrong that the main character of the movie is not well-represented in what is clearly a huge piece of the ‘Star Wars’ world, in terms of merchandising" Abrams said to The Wrap.

Remember that #WhereIsRey movement that took place on Twitter, that eventually led to Rey being added to the Hasbro's Monopoly game? If you do, I should let you know that J.J. Abrams played a personal part in adding her to the board game. "I read that she wasn’t in the Monopoly game and was quickly making phone calls."Abrams then sarcastically added. "It doesn’t quite make sense to me why she wouldn’t be there — she’s somewhat important in the story."

Aside from the merchandise, Abrams then spoke on Star Wars: The Force Awakens' success, and revealed that he's really grateful that the movie is doing as well as it is. "I’m grateful to anyone that’s gone to see the movie, and when I hear anecdotally that people have gone seven, eight times, I just want to apologize to — I’m guessing their parents. Whatever the numbers are, honestly, I’m just so grateful that the movie is out there and been well-received." What do you think? Share you thoughts in the comment section below!
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DeusExSponge
DeusExSponge - 1/9/2016, 12:13 PM
Huh didn't realize this was an actual problem. Maybe they were trying to hold off spoilers or something. I remember reading about that with Rey's monopoly figure.
TheAcuario
TheAcuario - 1/9/2016, 12:27 PM
Not sure it was @DeusExSponge before the films release I would walk during the toy section with my little brother and he had asked me why rey was not there. Any how... how many times have you seen the film?
DeusExSponge
DeusExSponge - 1/9/2016, 12:42 PM
TheAcuraio - That's rather odd, so it really is a problem then.

As for your question: Unfortunately only once, I would love to watch it again but none of my friends wants to see it again and going to the theatres alone is a drag IMO. But hopefully I can watch it one more time before it leaves the theatre. It was quite the experience being able to watch it on the big screen.
neihofft
neihofft - 1/9/2016, 12:59 PM
I think not including her in a lot of the merchandise was to try and not spoil anything by putting a lightsaber in her hand. I really dont think this was a matter of sexism. There were no Snoke or Luke (ep 7) toys.
gamecreatorjj
gamecreatorjj - 1/9/2016, 1:10 PM
@neihofft They could have released toys with her staff thing. Whether she was a jedi or not, it's pretty messed up to not have a merch presence for the female lead of the movie.
batz11
batz11 - 1/9/2016, 1:28 PM
I've seen it 5X, mainly for my wife, Rey...

Hasbro says to F#ck off JJ and others

"The Star Wars: Monopoly game was released in September, months before the movie’s release, and Rey was not included to avoid revealing a key plot line that she takes on Kylo Ren and joins the Rebel Alliance," a spokesperson for Hasbro explained.

After pointing out that Rey is present in other existing Hasbro releases, including Star Wars-centric editions of games Guess Who? and Hands Down and multiple action figure lines, "fans will see more Rey product hitting store shelves this month, including 6" and 12" Rey action figures."

Moreover, the statement continued, the company is "thrilled with the popularity of this compelling character and will continue to look for ways to showcase Rey across all of our product lines."

Update, 1/6/16: Hasbro updated its response late Tuesday, adding that Rey will be included in future editions of the Monopoly: Star Wars game starting later in 2016.
Floke
Floke - 1/9/2016, 3:29 PM
It is not a new thing though. My daughters love superheroes and StarWars. So when the Marvel Titan series came out, they wanted Black Widow and Gamorra... but Ive so far never seen one single female superhero toy. Now they wanted Rey but they could only find Fin, Ren and a stormtrooper. Really wierd since when at the cinema, about half the audience were female, and quite many young girls.
At least there are jeans at the clothing store.

Ive never thought about things like this before, but when your daughter asks why, it kind of strike you like a hammer of insight on how really dumb it is.

BatmanHeisenberg
BatmanHeisenberg - 1/9/2016, 3:42 PM
@gamecreatorjj is right. She WAS marketed for having the staff. You can just include that in merchandise, simple. The fact that the LEAD for the film isn't getting as much merchandise for this film as her costars, is frankly backwards.
Kyos
Kyos - 1/9/2016, 6:16 PM
I never looked at much any merchandise aside from some BB-8 toys, but it makes absolutely no sense to exclude the probably most important character from the movie. Like, why? Her toy doesn't need to wield a lightsaber, just give her the staff she uses in the movie and that's featured on all the promo material.
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 1/9/2016, 11:00 PM
....Disney is [frick]ing up...Smh.
Darth258
Darth258 - 1/9/2016, 11:38 PM
I guess not even marketing knew she was the main character since in everything there was Finn with his borrowed lightsaber...
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