HomeBad Ass AsiansStar Wars' Asian Heroines Get Action Figures
Connie Chung Event

Star Wars’ Asian Heroines Get Action Figures

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

 
By Ed Diokno
Views from the Edge

 
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.”

 

 

“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.”

 

Rose Tico Action Figure
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 Action Figure
Paige Tico, Resistance gunner

 


 
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart.  We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. You can show your support by liking our Facebook page at  www.facebook.com/asamnews, following us on Twitter, sharing our stories, interning or joining our staff.


Latest

Anti-Asian Hate

Must Read

Regular Features

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


Latest

Discover more from AsAmNews

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading