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The Empire Triumphant
Race, Religion and Rebellion in the Star Wars Films
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Book Presentation:
George Lucas’s first Star Wars trilogy shows the influences of its era; Cold War tension is evident in its theme of rebellion against totalitarianism. Recent entries in the Star Wars saga—The Phantom Menace (1999) and Attack of the Clones (2002)—are much more concerned with evil corporations, terrorists, and the corruption of the political process. Each film is influenced by the times in which it was released, but also by cultural subtexts and by other films that had direct and indirect effects on Lucas as writer, producer, and director.
This work focuses on all six Star Wars films. The first topic of this multifaceted examination is how the films use the language of colonialism (“The” Rebellion, “The” Empire) to emphasize the idea of imperialism. Next the author looks at how Asian influences—including religious undertones from Taoism and Buddhism and the works of Kurosawa and other Asian filmmakers—provide a subtext for much of the action. Next the discussion turns to the representation of people of color in the Star Wars universe, and how other ethnicities are represented overall, particularly through the literalization of the word “aliens.” These topics of discussion provide for penetrating conclusions about Lucas’s films and how they represent race, religion, and rebellion.
About the Author:
Kevin J. Wetmore, Jr., is a professional actor and director whose previous books have covered topics ranging from Star Wars to Renaissance faires. He is a professor and chair of the theater department at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California.
Press Reviews:
"shows the influences of its era…theme of rebellion against totalitarianism…evil corporations, terrorists, and the corruption of the political process…the discussion turns to the representation of people of color in the Star Wars universe, and how other ethnicities are represented overall, particularly through the literalization of the word ‘aliens’…penetrating conclusions about Lucas’s films"—SFRevu
"looks at elements of colonialism and imperialism in the two trilogies and pinpoints Asian influences, including Taoism, Buddhism, and the works of Akira Kurosawa"—South Dade News Leader
"George Lucas has been making a galaxy far, far away safe for white people…primarily about perceptions of the films as seriously marred by racism, colonialism and improper culture appropriation"—Fort Worth Star-Telegram
See the publisher website: McFarland & Co
See Star Wars (1977) on IMDB ...
> From the same author:
The Many Lives of The Purge (2024)
Essays on the Horror Franchise
Dir. Ron Riekki and Kevin J. Wetmore Jr.
The Many Lives of The Twilight Zone (2022)
Essays on the Television and Film Franchise
Dir. Ron Riekki and Kevin J. Wetmore Jr.
Subject: One Film > The Twilight Zone (TV Series)
Back from the Dead (2011)
Remakes of the Romero Zombie Films as Markers of Their Times
> On a related topic:
Neoliberal Aesthetics of Resistance in the Disney Star Wars Films (2023)
Rescripting Rebellion
by Abigail Reed
Culture, Identities and Technology in the Star Wars Films (2007)
Essays on the Two Trilogies
Dir. Carl Silvio and Tony M. Vinci
The Final Frontier (2020)
International Relations and Politics through Star Trek and Star Wars
by Joel R. Campbell and Gigi Gokcek
Subject: One Film > Star Wars, Star Trek: The Motion Picture
I'd Just as Soon Kiss a Wookiee (2025)
Uncovering Racialized Desire in the Star Wars Galaxy
by Greg Carter
Weird But True! Star Wars (2024)
300 Epic Facts From a Galaxy Far, Far Away....
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