Star Wars Cuts Path for Lupita Nyong’o

It’s exciting that Lupita Nyong’o has been cast in Star Wars as initially promised. When casting news first came out and her name wasn’t it there was the fear that one giant door had bee closed. Why does it matter so much? Well, because usually any Oscar winner who is the “it” girl immediately is flooded with offers. Since opportunities for black actresses are scarce it looked as though this would be the beginning of bad news for her career.

Why does Star Wars matter? Because nowadays most actresses must attach themselves to some fanboy tentpole to stay relevant. There is little doubt the part will be substantial. This is still a boy’s game. We’ve come a long way from the days when Carrie Fisher was a major standout in the original Star Wars movies.