Russians may have egged on the 'Last Jedi' fan backlash against Kelly Marie Tran

Some movie-goers were upset that a white male was not a central heroic figure in 'The Last Jedi.'

ASAM NEWS

THE SUPPOSED fan backlash that chased Kelly Marie Tran from social media may have been the work of Russian trolls and non-human bots in support of right wing and racist agendas, concluded a study from the University of Southern California.
Salon reports the study by researcher Morten Bay analyzed tweets aimed at ridiculing Kelly Marie Tran, the first women of color to be cast in a lead role in theStar Wars franchise.

“The study finds evidence of deliberate, organized political influence measures disguised as fan arguments,” Bay writes. “ The likely objective of these measures is increasing media coverage of the fandom conflict, thereby adding to and further propagating a narrative of widespread discord and dysfunction in American society.”

According to the South China Morning Post more than half of the tweets analyzed came from non-human bots with a number being Russian trolls. Some 960 twitter accounts were analyzed by Bay.

Bay concluded only about 10 percent of the tweets he analyzed came from legitimate Twitter accounts.

In December 2017, AsAmNews reported a fan page was taken over by racists who posted bigoted messages about Tran.

The Russian cyberwarfare campaign that used some fans' criticism of The Last Jedi as a launching pad for more insidious motives. The online vitriol had a common thread with Russia’s earlier Facebook disinformation campaigns, initiated during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. 

“Some [trolls] were less focused on politics of party or specific issues and more on identity politics, posting anti-feminist or anti-homosexuality messages, and tweets of a racist nature were also frequent among the accounts in this category,” the study explains in order to sow discord among Americans.

The Last Jedi’s director, Rian Johnson, retweeted the paper, writing “what the top-line describes is consistent with my experience online”.

He added: “And just to be totally clear: this is not about fans liking or not liking the movie – I’ve had tons of great talks with great fans online and off who liked and disliked stuff. That’s what fandom is all about. This is specifically about a virulent strain of online harassment.”

The best answer to fan criticism, Russian or otherwise, is to produce a sequel starring Kelly Marie Tran. She'll be back in the Star Wars: Episode IX when it hits theaters on December 20, 2019.

Views From the Edge contributed to this report.

'Rally for Rose' at Comic-Con answers Rose Tico haters

TWITTER / NERDS OF COLOR

ACTRESS KELLY MARIE TRAN and Rose Tico, the character she plays in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, have come under fire from white males posing as fans of the Star Wars blockbuster franchise.

Tran - and by extension, Rose Tico - have come to symbolize everything that is wrong about the push for diversity by what haters say are "social justice warriors."

Last weekend, fans of Rose rallied for their hero at the 2018 Comic-Con held in San Diego. The "Rally for Rose," was organized by the website Nerds of Color and attracted a number cosplayers dressed as Rose as well as others wearing t-shirts emblazoned with a portrait of Rose.

Rose, as played by Tran, is the first woman of color to play a significant role in the Star Wars movies. As a result, Tran was targeted on Instagram by white fanboys making fun of her appearance her weight and just for being in the same universe as Luke Skywalker, one of the original main characters in the first Star Wars.

The fanboys - a small but vocal portion of the franchise's fan base -- apparently saw Star Wars as one of their refuges from reality. So when Disney began including female leads and characters of color in the last three stories -- The Force Awakens, Rogue One and The Last Jedi -- they hit back the only way they knew, through social media, hiding behind the Internet's anonymity.

The latest movie in the franchise, Solo, saw the return of the white, male hero, but still managed to have strong female leads played by Westworld's Thandie Newton and Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke. 

The fanboys immature campaign aimed at Tran apparently caused the actress to drop her Instagram account, much to the consternation of director Rian Johnson and star Mark Hamill, both of whom enjoyed the idea of the rally.

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A 'Stars Wars' trailer trolling the trollers

LATE NIGHT HOST Steven Colbert, a self-professed fanboy of the Star Wars franchise, has come out in support of Kelly Marie Tran.

Tran, who starred in the most recent Star Wars: The Last Jedi installment as mechanic Rose Pico, is the first Asian American lead (man or woman) of one of the Star Wars movies.

Her groundbreaking role -- as a woman and as an Asian American -- was attacked by a small, but very vocal, racist and sexist fanboys who felt that the George Lucas-created galaxy far, far away, should be the peopled only by white, male heroes.

Actress Kelly Marie Tran portrays Rose Tico in 'The Last Jedi.'

The Internet bullies harassed Tran's Instagram site criticizing her appearance, her race and gender and the substance of the character that she portrayed. The harassment got so bad that last week, Tran deleted all her posts and left only the messsage: "Afraid, but doing it anyway."

Colbert introduced the trailer:

“They attacked this beautiful, talented young actress for her ethnicity, her appearance, and her sex. And may I remind you: Kelly Marie Tran is the first lead woman in a ‘Star Wars’ movie who is not white. So, just to teach these fanboys a lesson, we here at ‘The Late Show’ have partnered with Lucasfilm to create a new ‘Star Wars’ movie — and we’ve got the world premiere of the exclusive trailer right now.”

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Star Wars actress Kelly Marie Tran deletes Instagram posts to shed online bullies

SCREEN CAPTURE

Kelly Marie Tran left Instagram because of the harassment by sexist and racist fans of Star Wars.

DAYS AFTER Kelly Marie Tran deleted all her Instagram posts in response to never-ending online harassment, her fans and supporters have come to her side to denounce the bullying by insecure fanboys who don't like movies with starring women and actors of color.
What is it with this small group of fanboys that they feel they have to attack an actress playing a fictional character by asserting their toxic masculinity and/or racism, on any attempt to reflect the diversity of our country?

Kelly Marie Tran, the first woman of color to have a significant role in  any of the Star War movies, was the latest victim of the small, but virtually vocal group of internet bullies. Tran had been the target of ongoing harassment and abuse ever since she became the first woman of color in a major role in the Star Wars franchise.

RELATED: Kelly Marie Tran in tears at 'The Last Jedi' premiere

Her Instagram account with 212,000 followers, is now empty except with this phrase: "Afraid, but doing it anyway." Tran, a 29-year-old Vietnamese-American born in California, has no Twitter or Facebook accounts.

In December, AsAmNews ran a story headlined Resistance Defeats Racists in a galaxy Not Far Away that reported hateful messages berating Tran's appearance had inundated social media and that someone even hacked into her Wookiepedia fan page to edit her biography and change her name to Ching Chong Wing Tong and her hometown to Ching Chong China.

Alt-right internet personality Paul Ray Ramsey in December tweeted harassing comments about Tran's appearance, with his post being retweeted 103 times and earning 442 likes.

Rian Johnson, who directed Tran in The Last Jedi, took to Twitter on Tuesday to call out the trolls who have hounded Tran.

That Tweet prompted a response from the Jedi master himself, costar Mark Hamil:

Johnson wasn't done. Clearly, he was angry at the way one of his stars was treated. He went off on one of responders:

Many in the entertainment community are showing support for actress Kelly Marie Tran, the "Star Wars" franchise's first woman of color in a major role, after she deleted all her Instagram posts following months of abusive trolling about her.

It's not the first time these trollers have made their displeasure known. They attacked John Boyega, a black man, for his leading presence on The Force Awakens and derisively called Daisy Ridley a Mary Sue because she was the central character in the same movie.

They believe the "social justice warriors" have soften the franchise in the efforts to diversify the cast. I mean, they can accept Huts, Wookies, Ortolons or any of the other 50 alien races inhabiting the Star Wars galaxy, but they can't stand it if a man of color or a woman has a prominent role in one of the Star War stories?

I would not be surprised if a lot of Tran's harassers are of the same ilk who like to carry around tiki torches, make Nazi salutes to teach other or parade around in white robes and a pointed hood.

Although they claim to be Star Wars fans, they evidently haven't learned the lessons . espoused in the movies - that tolerance matters, respect matters, decency matters. Or, quoting Rose Tico, the character played by Tran: "That's how we win. Not fighting what we hate, (but by) saving what we love." (The trollers hated that line. Too soft.)

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After meeting Rose Tico, where does Star Wars go from here?

Rose Tico is played by actress Kelly Marie Tran.

I FINALLY got to see the latest installment of the Star Wars saga, The Last Jedi. I was not disappointed. I love a good swashbuckler adventure story where the delineation between good and evil are clearly defined.

This is not a review. There are plenty of those lying around the Internet, just Google The Last Jedi. However, this is a warning, if you haven't seen it yet, STOP HERE. SPOILERS AHEAD.

The Last Jedi introduces Rose Tico, the first Asian hero featured in an impactful lead role in the space saga. The role of Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) is a pivotal part of the plot. She's not a red shirt. She is not just someone in the background lending a thin air of diversity to a film product.

No. Rose is important and will likely continue to be critical to the storyline into, at least,  Episode 9, the final chapter in what was originally envisioned by creator George Lucas to be a nine-movie story.

That doesn't mean the end of the story in a "galaxy far, far away." Disney is already developing another trilogy that takes place in the same galaxy but not necessarily part of this story line.

The story of The Last Jedi's Rose Tico (and her sister Paige) is the culmination of what began as an innocent question from an Asian/American fan at Comic Con 2015.

During a Q&A for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a couple of young Asian/Americans asked producer J.J. Abrams if there would be any Asians in the upcoming blockbuster. He responded with a joke, "Go Asians! If I had my way, the cast would be all Asians," (nervous laughter from the audience). What he said sounds a bit patronizing. But he continued: 

“I think you’ll be happy to see when you see this film, there are Asians in this film…. We wanted the movie to look the way the world looks. And I think it is important that people see themselves represented in film. I think it is not a small thing. So I completely understand and think your question is hugely important. And it was a big consideration.”

He was referring to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, where three Asian characters were introduced as members of the 5-person crew of the space ship Rogue One. Maybe he had already had an inkling of what could be done in The Last Jedi since these projects are years in the making. In the casting call for Rose Tico, she is described as "any race."

RELATED: Rogue One is the most Asian of Star Wars stories

I'm almost sure the question asked by the fans is something that stuck in the back of Abrams' mind as he helped guide the storylines of the final Lucas-inspired trilogy.

The characters introduced in 'Rogue One' as portrayed by, from left,  Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen and Rez Ahmed could star in their own Star Wars movies to come.

Who knows, maybe the all-Asian cast is a still a possibility for some creative screenplay writer. Here's a couple of storylines that might be developed:

How did Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen) and Baze Malbus (Jiang Wen) from Rogue One become such good friends? Their closeness and care to each other conveyed in silent, knowing looks at each other, hint at a relationship deeper than just being Butch Cassidy-and-Sundance Kid buddies? What planet are they from? In the Star Wars universe, there must be a planet inhabited Asians?

It would be fitting if one of upcoming episodes of the Star Wars depict a planet of an Asian-like civilization and people since the very first Star Wars was inspired by the samurai classic, The Hidden Fortress, directed by Akira Kurosawa, according to George Lucas.

Many of the trappings of the Jedi Knights - The Force, the sword fighting with two hands, the use of the staff (or Bo), fighting with a blade or stick in both hands, all the martial arts moves - are inspired by the Asian martial arts, particularly kendo and eskrima.

In the ending of The Last Jedi, one of the fathiers (the racing creatures) stable boys is telling the legend of Luke Skywalker when the kids' story session is broken up by a supervisor. The stable boy breaks off and "wills" a broom to move into his hands showing that he has the power of The Force. The last thing we see before the credits is the stable boy turning the broom into a light saber. Is Rose capable of harnessing The Force?

And who is Rose? Where did she come from? In Rose's back story, she and her sister were brought up in the pleasure world of Canto Bight as "slaves." I found it interesting when Rose enters the stable, all the fathiers arose to look at the newcomer, as if they could  sense a connection with the seemingly normal mechanic. Does taking care of the fathiers require the use of The Force? Will a new army of Jedi Knights arise from the stables of Canto Bight? 

In a galaxy where anything can happen, Asians can have a presence without the stereotypes we've come to know on this planet.
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Kelly Marie Tran in tears at premiere of 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'

Vietnamese proud! Kelly Marie Tran's red carpet gown was designed by a Vietnamese fashion designer.

FOR MANY Asian American fans of the Star Wars franchise, it was a historical moment, assuring that there is a future for them in a galaxy far, far away and maybe, even in the tight-knit universe of Hollywood.

For Kelly Marie Tran, the premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi last Saturday (Dec. 9) in Los Angeles was a moment she'll never forget as she enters into a universe of glamor, fame with a role of a lifetime cemented into the lore and legend of one of entertainment's most famous movie franchises.

A year ago, people were saying, "Kelly Marie ... who?"as fans tried to determine what role the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants would play. 

And after the premiere of the latest episode of Star Wars, people are saying that she is the "breakout star" of the The Last Jedi, the third act of a three-movie arc in the nine movies depicting the war between the Empire and the The Resistance.

The moment was not lost on Tran, who was resplendent on the red carpet in her red gown designed by Vietnamese designer Thai Nguyen Atelier. Besides being her big break for her acting career, she knows the role her character plays in movie history of Asian Americans and in the American culture in a franchise that began in 1977's first Star Wars, directed by George Lucas, without any people of color to the racially diverse universe being depicted nine movies and 40 years later.

The moment almost got to be too big for newcomer Kelly Marie Tran as she is comforted by costar Daisy Ridley, whose own life was forever changed when she was cast as Rey, the central character in this third Star Wars trilogy, two years ago.

Before she was cast she was just doing odd jobs in L.A. Her biggest claim to fame was a series of Youtube videos for CollegeHumor. Tran says that she was always thought that her big break would come if she was cast as somebody's best friend in a supporting role.

Her role in the Asian/American pop culture continuum was not lost on her when she was asked by Rolling Stone what it meant to be the first Asian/American woman cast in a pivotal role in Star Wars.

"I wish it was just a nice little bonus, because it kind of feels like a lot of pressure in ways, I would love to live in a world where no one person has to represent a very large group of people just purely because of the fact that there's not many of those types of people in movies or TV – or writing or producing or directing. I would like to live in a world where there are a bunch of different types of people doing those things. But obviously we don't, and it's something I think about a lot. I don't take it lightly at all. I think from the moment I got this part - and it was also because this is a Star Wars movie - I just wanted to do the whole thing justice.

"And on a representation standpoint, I wanted to do that justice too. Me and John (Boyega) talked about that: Just the idea that we are people of color, that's something we always address in interviews. We actually had this one moment on set that I still hold really close to my heart. This one day we were shooting this scene and I remember John stopping and saying, "Kelly, we're making history right now" ... and we were. Because not only are we making a Star Wars movie, we have scenes where it's just John and myself."

Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) and Finn (John Boyega) are key protagonists in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi.'

"Growing up I watched a lot of pop culture] and didn’t really get to see a lot of people that looked like me," she told Entertainment Weekly. "I think that I’m really lucky to be this person, and I get to be part of this franchise. I hope that it is a move in a better direction." 

When she heard she got the role in The Last Jedi she was working as a business assistant. Immediately, she had to act like the life-changing moment had never happened.

“But after I got the role, I had to work for another week!," she told Elle. "Then I told my job, my family, and my friends I was moving to Canada for an indie. I had to Google pictures of Canada to send them! It was so stressful.”

Nevertheless, Tran was quick to put her stamp on the notoriously top-secret saga. “Kelly has an infectious energy and creative spirit that actually ended up influencing her character,” says director Rian Johnson. Rose “may not be glorified in the Resistance the way Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega) are,” Tran says, “but has an important story to tell. She can and will make a difference.”After the emotional evening, Tran posted on Instagram:

Kelly Marie Tran broke down again as she  thanks director Rian Johnson.

“My parents are both refugees from Vietnam, and they spent their whole lives working towards a reality where my sisters and I would have choice,” Tran told the outlet. “That was purely it. My parents never had the luxury of having a dream.”

After the emotional evening, Tran posted on Instagram:

“Last night was one of the best nights of my life, and honestly, I truly think it’s because I let myself feel ALL the feelings,” she wrote in an Instagram post following the event. “YOU GUYS. I cried my way through the ENTIRE red carpet! I was basically a ball of emotion — from pure excitement to overwhelming joy.” 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be released in theaters across the country Dec. 15.

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A first: Star Wars' Asian heroines will have action figures

Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) and Finn (John Boyega) in the upcoming Star Wars movie.

THE MYSTERY surrounding the role that the character of Rose Tico will have in the upcoming Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi, has generated a lot of speculation. The fact that she merits an action figure adds to the intrigue.
Rose has a sister, Paige, who will also have an action figure. Is this the first time that two action figures, both women, both Asian, both from the same movie, come out at the same time?

Rose Tico, as played by Kelly Marie Tran, is a maintenance worker for the Resistance, not a particular heroic role usually filled with fighter pilots, swashbuckling smugglers, fleeing princesses and Jedi. 

“This possibility that any of us could step up and become a hero, that’s where Rose comes from,” said The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson earlier this year Comparing Rose to Luke Skywaker and Rey, he said, “She’s not a soldier, she’s not looking to be a hero. But she gets pulled into a very big adventure with Finn.”

RELATED: A glimpse of Kelly Marie Tran in 'The Last Jedi'

“She’s not cool," says Tran. "She’s this nobody, this background player, which is what makes her interesting. She’s not the best. She’s not royalty. She’s someone who is just like everyone else.”

Note that the Rose Tico action figure will have a space blaster as an accoutrement.

Rose's sister, Paige, played by Vietnamese actress Veronica Ngo,  being trained by Resistance fighter pilot Poe Dameron, played by Oscar Isaac. Like her sister Rose, Paige's story is shrouded in mystery, but the action figure looks cool. The sister team of action figures should be a collector's item.

Disney is expected to release a bunch of new merchandise in connection to The Last Jedi during a global unboxing event known as Force Friday on Sept. 1, but it’s unclear if the leaked products are a part of it. Besides the action figures, there will be light sabers and blasters. 

The photo of the Rose Tico action figure was leaked by swrogue507. Among the figures of the heroic figures of Finn and Rey, Luke, Princess Leia, will be the first Asian/American hero Rose Tico. It is noteworthy that the packaging of the action figure includes a space blaster, hinting that Rose will play a bigger role in the storyline than just being a starstruck maintenance worker.

Paige Tico, Resistance gunner

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