Diego Luna’s role as Cassian Andor in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story has resonated with Latino audiences looking to see themselves in blockbuster films—and to hear themselves. One aspect of Luna’s portrayal of the Rebel pilot-turned-Rogue stealer of Death Star plans that has earned praise from fans since the first Rogue One trailer was his decision to keep his natural accent. As Remezcla writer Yara Simón pointed out when the film was released, “It’s refreshing, especially when a Spanish accent is still used largely for comedic effect across film and television in the US. A humorous tone wouldn’t exactly work with this entry into the series, and yet the film doesn’t make a big deal about his accent. And no one struggles to understand him.”
Luna has said that the opportunity for representation gives him hope, and called himself “the luckiest Mexican in all of the galaxy.” He’s also aware of how his role has affected fans; recently he shared a heartwarming post from Tumblr user riveralwaysknew, who brought her Mexican father to see Rogue One because she wanted him “to experience what it was like to see a hero in a blockbuster film, speak the way he does.”
Here’s the post in full:
And in case you were wondering, riveralwaysknew does know about Luna tweeting her post, and can’t wait to pass the message on to her “very chill dad” who “is going to FREAK OUT.”
via Twitter Moments and The Daily Dot
that’s a great story; thanks for sharing it!
:D
It definitely is exciting to see more of a varied sea of faces in the galaxy far, far away. Especially with Poe in TFA and Cassian in RO, I think Latinos especially are getting some great roles :) When I was watching the film I also was noting the accent – although I couldn’t exactly place it – and I loved hearing all sorts of accents in Star Wars. It just makes it seem like a richer world.
From a totally different point of view, Mr. Luna’s accent didn’t catch my notice. I think it’s because I have worked with people from all over the world, so I’m accustomed to hearing English spoken in many different accents. I regard accents in the same category as hair/skin color, mannerisms, etc., one of many little details that make someone an individual.
But if the accent makes some people happy, then good!
This is awesome.
I don’t see why anyone would try to hide their accent in the first place.
I noticed the accent but didn’t think anything much about it beyond “well, there’s British accents in this universe too, so why not.”
Given the context of the Star Wars films, being set in a galaxy-wide super-state with member worlds that number in the thousands or more, I find it more surprising that there aren’t a huge variety of accents than I do that one character had a particular accent in one film. I guess I’ve always figured that the military academies inculcate a sort of affected british-style accent (hence the Empire being rife with it), but other than that each world should have its own quirks of speech when it comes to Basic.
@7, the old EU novels often mentioned a Core Worlds accent, which seemed to correspond to the “British” characters –which is why it would be common (either genuine or faked) among high-ranking officers, protocol droids, and senators (and neatly explains Leia’s uneven accent in ANH; it’s the “Senator Voice” she had to adopt to be taken seriously on Coruscant. Once she’s with the Alliance full-time, she goes back to her Alderaanian roots).