Disney Claims There Are No Political Statements In Rogue One

Since Star Wars was first created it has always had something to do with politics. There are characters in the films who somewhat resemble politicians or world leaders, and there are even politicians in the movies. Anyone who is the least bit educated in politics can plainly see that. In the original trilogy the Galactic Empire was actually, according to George Lucas, based off the Nazi Party in Germany. Padme Amidala is actually a Senator of Naboo. Star Wars is a tale of rebellion against a totalitarian government of guerrilla fighters striking a blow against uniform regiments of stormtroopers and the brutal dictator they serve. The idea that such sentiments would be remotely controversial is indicative of just how much the 2016 election has seeped into every aspect of pop culture, whether Iger likes it or not.  Every single one of these movies are centered around politics, so why now, would this is stray from that topic?

“Star Wars,” it’s even in the name. How could a movie about galactic war not contain any political statements in it? Anyone who has watched the other movies is just expecting politics in this one. Especially in a time like this, politics has sort of taken over our lives recently. Almost all art and entertainment is propaganda nowadays anyhow, why would this be the only Star Wars movie that doesn’t contain politics? All of this was started because one of the writers tweeted an anti-Trump tweet comparing the Galactic Empire to a white supremacist organization.

Bob Iger decided he would take it upon himself to clear this matter up for us. “Frankly, this is a film that the world should enjoy. It is not a film that is, in any way, a political film,” he told The Hollywood Reporter, “There are no political statements in it, at all.” So what Iger is trying to tell me is, a film about a rather diverse group of people rebelling against their government isn’t political in the slightest bit?

All this trouble just to make sure certain alt-right people will still see the movie. You can read whatever you want into Rogue One; Iger is just denying that there is any anti-Trump scenes or propaganda in the movie. Ironically, by insisting on the neutrality of the film, Iger ignored another fact: Declaring that something isn’t political is, in itself, political. At least Iger acknowledged the diversity of this cast, and that is one reason that this movie should be celebrated.