The hype for Star Wars has been unmissable since the start of the franchise all those many years ago. The films and spinoffs appeal and reach a massive variation of different audiences, resonating with millions the values they seek to emphasize. People are drawn into this story not only because of the compelling plot and action, but because of the dynamic characters and the actors that portray them.
Of the new actors that have just been coined into the series, through Rogue One, Diego Luna reaches a new audience all his own.
The Mexico-City born actor plays a key role in the latest Star Wars film and he does so with a thick accent many Mexicans and other Hispanics can relate to. Throughout the film, his accent is never masked or downplayed but his voice is, nonetheless, heard. This type of representation in a series of such influence and caliber is incredibly important, especially in a society where thick accents are so freely mocked and shamed. In fact, posts about the actor and the people he represents have already gone viral and have even reached him on his own social media:
I got emotional reading this! #RogueOneStarWars pic.twitter.com/kfNXxYxWWI
— diego luna (@diegoluna_) January 4, 2017
Luna is a talented actor and not new in the least to highly acclaimed movies, having many successful and influential mexican films under his belt, but with all the success and praise Rogue One, a high grossing hollywood film, has received in such a short amount of time, it is no wonder the representation he offers hits close to home with so many Mexicans and Hispanics alike. It is incredibly refreshing and inspiring to see someone that sounds like us and comes from where we come from become a hero who saves the galaxy.
