Revolutionary Lego Leia Minifig Update Sparks Outrage Amidst Feminist Backlash
Lego’s Revised "Slave Leia" Figure Sparks Mixed Reactions Online
Last week, Lego unveiled its latest massive Star Wars UCS set, the $500 Jabba Barge, aimed at collectors and adults. This massive set is set to arrive next month and contains a series of small Lego minifig characters, including R2-2D, Jabba the Hutt, and Bib Fortuna. However, it’s the new "Slave Leia" minifig that has sparked a peculiar discussion online.
Over the years, we’ve seen several Lego versions of Leia from 1983’s Star Wars: Return of The Jedi, known for wearing a small, revealing metal bikini and loincloth/skirt. This Leia has become a fan favorite and is often referred to as "Slave Leia." Although it’s an outfit that has led to debate among fans and critics, when Disney acquired Star Wars in 2012, we noticed a decrease in its appearance in merchandise and media.
The Reveal: A More Covering, Yet Accurate, Leia
On September 21, the Lego news and fansite Brickset tweeted out two images comparing the 2013 Leia to the new 2024 Leia that will be included in the Barge set. The new Leia is mostly the same, but now has a larger skirt that covers her entire upper legs, omitting side thighs and nude areas. The reaction to this change has been both puzzling and divisive.
Jokes, Misunderstandings, and Real Concerns
While some are mocking or joking about folks being upset over the covering of Leia’s thighs, others are sharing their genuine concerns about this change. Some believe this is an attempt to erase history, while others feel it’s censorship. A Lego outlet described the new figure as "one step forward, two steps back."
It’s difficult to determine how many of these reactions are genuine and how many are people simply "joking around." With the growing awareness of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), some might view this change as a step in the right direction, while others might feel it’s too much of a compromise. In a world where certain online personalities yell about DEI "chins" on fictional women, it’s challenging to discern if a joke is genuine or a desperate soul sharing their honest thoughts on Leia’s exposed plastic figure.
The Verdict: An Improvement Over the Original
In my opinion, the new Leia looks fine. The covering of her skirt makes sense, considering its accuracy to the film version. Although it might not be perfectly accurate, the new design looks better than the old figure, which didn’t have a fully accurate loin cloth design. I’ll stop writing about this topic and try to enjoy my life, hopefully feeling something again.
A Look at Previous Lego Versions of Slave Leia
Throughout the years, Lego has released several versions of Princess Leia, including:
• 1983: Lego’s original Princess Leia ( Slave Leia) with a metal bikini and loincloth/skirt
• 2003: Lego released a version with a longer skirt, which was a departure from the original
• 2013: Lego’s Star Wars set, which featured a similar design to the original but with some design changes
• 2024: The latest revised version with a larger, covering skirt
These various designs reflect the evolving values and sensitivity towards representation and accuracy in the Lego and Star Wars communities.
