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Star Wars fans ask #WheresRey as The Force Awakens hero left out of merchandise

SHE’S the hero of the new Star Wars movie, but that seems to have slipped Disney’s mind. Now angry fans are accusing the company of sexism.

Frank ChungFrank Chung
@franks_chung
2 min read
December 29, 2015 - 2:16PM
Fans have accused Disney and toymaker Hasbro of sexism for omitting Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, from many key merchandise lines.
Fans have accused Disney and toymaker Hasbro of sexism for omitting Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, from many key merchandise lines.

SHE’S the hero of the new Star Wars movie, but that seems to have slipped Disney’s mind.

Fans shopping for The Force Awakens merchandise have taken to Twitter to express their outrage that Daisy Ridley’s character, Rey, seems to be largely missing from shelves.

The hashtag #WheresRey was first started earlier this month when fans noticed one box set featured Finn, Chewbacca, Poe Dameron, Kylo Ren, a stormtrooper and a TIE fighter pilot.

“The lack of Rey toys is depressing,” tweeted Entertainment Weekly journalist Anthony Breznican. “Any kid would be disappointed to get a TIE pilot instead of her. #wheresrey”

Erin Gilson wrote: “My daughter noticed within two seconds and actually said, ‘Where’s Rey, mom?’”

Stephanie Evans wrote: “Do better @hasbro, @Disney, and @Target. We find your lack of female #StarWars toys disturbing. Because it’s 2015.”

Heather Parker noted that Toys ‘R’ Us had 264 toys categorised under The Force Awakens, only six of which featured Rey.

“The relative dearth of toys depicting Rey tells everyone (but especially children) that even a female heroine isn’t worth playing with,” she wrote.

Other fans also pointed out Rey’s conspicuous absence from the Millennium Falcon toy set, despite the fact she pilots the iconic spaceship in the film. “Um, shouldn’t Rey have been included in the new Millennium Falcon toy set?” asked Jen Mayhew.

‘The lack of Rey toys is depressing.’ Picture: David James/Disney/Lucasfilm via AP
‘The lack of Rey toys is depressing.’ Picture: David James/Disney/Lucasfilm via AP
Apparently, Rey’s look took a long time to complete. Picture: David James/Disney/Lucasfilm via AP
Apparently, Rey’s look took a long time to complete. Picture: David James/Disney/Lucasfilm via AP

Jamie Ford wrote: “Maybe @Hasbro should just change their name to DudeBro so we know what to expect next time.”

Some noted that action figures for minor background characters — or even, in the case of Constable Zuvio, one who didn’t even appear in the final edit — were easier to find.

“Well thank heavens I can find Constable Zuvio, The Inquisitor, PZ-4CO, and Goss Toowers in stores!” wrote Exorcising Emily.

“#WheresRey, but there’s a surplus of ‘Guy Who Wasn’t Even in the Damn Movie’,” added Geonn Cannon.

One explanation for the lack of Rey toys has been Disney’s desire to avoid spoiling the film for fans. For example, a Rey toy featuring a toy version of Luke Skywalker’s iconic blue lightsaber is now rolling out.

Rey only takes up the lightsaber during the climax of the film — previous marketing materials, including the official poster and several trailers, featured John Boyega’s Finn wielding the lightsaber.

According to The Daily Beast, one source said another explanation was the long development process for action figures, and that Rey’s “look” had not been completed in time to be included in the Millennium Falcon set.

“Rey and Phasma feature prominently across hundreds of products, and are selling exceptionally well,” Disney spokesman Paul Southern told The Daily Beast.

“In many stores and e-commerce destinations, products featuring Rey are selling as quickly as retailers can restock shelves. Fans will also be seeing a lot more of Rey with a new wave of product coming in January.”

Originally published as Star Wars fans ask #WheresRey as The Force Awakens hero left out of merchandise

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/companies/media/star-wars-fans-ask-wheresrey-as-the-force-awakens-hero-left-out-of-merchandise/news-story/8967d9b6c1c13fd5a3a0591248965ee4