One incredible newStar WarsLEGOset brings back an iconicPrincess Leia Organaoutfit fromReturn of the Jedithat was previously thought banned. Leia is easily one ofStar Wars’best characters, and her importance toStar Warsmovies and TV showscannot be overstated. In fact, even outsidethe Skywalker family tree, Leia had a massive influence on both the Rebellion and the Resistance. Yet, that made one choice inReturn of the Jedieven more jarring.
Specifically, Leia’s outfit aboard Jabba’s Sail Barge, often referred to as her ‘slave costume,’ became quite controversial followingReturn of the Jedi. Because it was so sexualizing, rumor had it that Disney had outright banned merchandise with that outfit. However,LEGO’s brand-new Jabba Sail Barge model (75397) includes a LEGO piece of Leia wearing this outfit. This suggests that DisneyStar Warshasn’t banned the outfit being reproduced in merchandise after all, and that could be due to a shift in the narrative about this costume inStar Wars.
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What Leia’s “Huttslayer” Return Means For Star Wars
The rumor that the ‘slave costume’ had been banned by Disney originated in a 2015 Facebook post by Marvel artist J. Scott Campbell. At the time, Hasbro denied any such claims; however, it’s true that this outfit has been very minimally used in any merchandise in recent years. In fact, this costume hasn’t been used in any LEGO minifigure since 2013. Given that, it’s possible that some conversation was happening behind the scenes about limiting merchandise with this outfit, but that’s entirely speculative.
It’s possible that Campbell was referring to a Marvel mandate, but, in either case,Star Warshas put a brand-new spin on this controversial outfit that may very well explain why it has resurfaced now. Specifically, the canon bookStar Wars: Bloodline, written by Claudia Gray, reveals that the iconic moment when Leia strangled Jabba the Hutt to death with the very chains that enslaved her had given her a new title in the galaxy: Huttslayer. This shift represents a major reframing, in which Leia goes from a sexualized slave to an empowered warrior and a hero.
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In fact,Bloodlinemakes clear that many in the galaxy are outright in awe of her, as this was a physical feat for any person, much less someone who was actively being held captive in chains. This is also in keeping with Carrie Fisher’s own description of the event as Leia quite literally choking the patriarchy with its own chains. In addition to being a brilliant update to thisReturn of the Jediconcept, though, this raises the question:is Huttslayer Leia about to appear in more merchandise?
Will We Start Seeing More Huttslayer Merchandise?
In truth, the Huttslayer outfit has never lost its popularity in the fanbase. Many cosplayers don the outfit, both in its traditional form and, at times, with updates such as pants or more coverage. However,this does mark a change in the franchise itself, which could mean increased production of this outfit in merchandise. Likely, this will come down to demand.
Previously, some reports had indicated that there simply wasn’t as much interest in LEGO pieces with this costume. Moreover, this could be an exception to the broader rule (if there really is one), as Leia’s absence from this set would have been incredibly odd. In a way, the very set required the Huttslayer piece. Nevertheless,Star Warshas clearly reframed Leia Organa’sReturn of the Jedioutfit, and thisLEGOset suggests that could have larger implications.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
Cast
Return of the Jedi concludes George Lucas’s original Star Wars trilogy with Luke Skywalker and his allies seeking to rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt and facing a renewed threat as the Emperor attempts to obliterate the Rebellion through a second Death Star, broadening the epic battle between good and evil.
