Women’s History Month is slotted for the month of March, but that doesn’t mean extraordinary women are barred from breaking new ground throughout the remaining eleven months of the year.
Academy Award winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is set to make history as the first woman to direct a Star Wars film. During a recent interview with CNN, the director provided a brief update on the film.
“I’m very thrilled about the project because I feel what we’re about to create is something very special,” she said.
“We’re in 2024 now, and it’s about time that we had a woman come forward to shape a story in a galaxy far, far away.”
Prior to entering the world of Star Wars, the Pakistani-Canadian director worked on several projects, including DOC World, Woman with Gloria Steinem and A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness. Along the way, she won the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award and Knight International Journalism Award. Also, she was recognized by TIME 100 and BBC’s 100 Women.
In recent years, Obaid-Chinoy has dived deeper in to major films and series. She directed two episodes of Ms. Marvel and secured the role of director for an upcoming Star Wars film last April.
“I have always been attracted to the heroes journey and the world definitely needs more heroes,” she wrote after securing the position.
“I’ve spent my life meeting real life heroes, who have overcome the most oppressive empires and battled impossible odds and that to me is the heart of Star Wars…which is why I was attracted to the promise of a new Jedi Order …And why I’m particularly excited about being immersed inside a Jedi Academy with a powerful Jedi Master.”
