Disney reportedly retiring Slave Leia from all Star Wars merchandise

She ultimately uses that chain against Jabba to strangle him to death, but many over the years have seen the outfit demeaning, particularly given the character’s otherwise proactive actions throughout the series. Comic book artist J. Scott Campbell, who has worked on Marvel’s Star Wars titles, recently created a stir by saying that Disney is phasing out depictions of “Slave Leia” in art and merchandise going forward.

Now there’s a new rumor suggesting that Disney and Lucasfilm will no longer produce any merchandising that involves Slave Leia.

Carrie Fisher appeared with Daisy Ridley and the rest of the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” cast at the Star Wars Celebration on April 16, 2015 in Anaheim, California. “Disney is already well on it’s way to wiping out the “slave” outfit from any future products period”, Campbell said.

I’ve heard it from two sources. He adds that artists at Marvel, which is responsible for publishing the slew of new Star Wars comics, are not even allowed to draw Leia in a “sexy pose”, not just in that outfit.

Towards the end of October, Carrie Fisher sat down with Daisy Ridley via conference call through the magazine called “Interview”. In Interview, Fisher told Ridley that it’s uncomfortable to be viewed as a sex object in other people’s fantasies. “Don’t be a slave like I was”. She also said, “Don’t be a slave like I was”. Especially since Slave Leia has been such a huge part of Star Wars lore since she was first introduced in 1983.

Although she likely won’t be sporting the gold bikini, Fisher will appear in the new film Star Wars: The Force Awakens along with Ridley and original cast members Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford. This includes posters, comics, and action figures.

There are many fans of the Slave Leia outfit, and we can see this with many conventions featuring Slave Leia cosplayers. Screencrush is surfacing a rumor that Disney may be retiring all of its “Slave Leia” merchandise.

Although this is about as far from confirmed as you can get, this carries just enough weight since it comes from someone who has been given marching orders from Disney and Lucasfilm in the past.

While many fans are disappointed, several are celebrating this decision. It’s not necessarily a bad thing that “Slave Leia” toys exist and that so many fans enjoy cosplaying in that outfit, but it is a problem that it’s become the default version of the character in many instances.