For the last 40 years children have grown up picturing themselves in the Star Wars universe—learning to become Jedi, piloting X-Wings, firing lasers, and taking on the Galactic Empire.

But for most of Star Wars‘ existence, the role of the hero was predominately reserved for the white male.

After being dormant for a decade following its underwhelming prequel films, Star Wars returned last year with a cast that better reflects our actual world with The Force Awakens—where men, women, and people of color were heroes.

Diego Luna Never Thought He’d Be in Star Wars (Photo: nerdist.com)

While the action is dazzling and the nostalgia rampant and heartwarming, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story‘s crowning achievement is in assembling the franchise’s most diverse cast yet.

Consider the team that makes up the titular squad that valiantly takes on the mission to steal the Death Star plans: It’s led by English actress Felicity Jones and includes Mexican actor Diego Luna, Chinese martial artist Donnie Yen, British breakout star Riz Ahmed (best known for portraying the Pakistani-American student in The Night Of), and Chinese actor Jiang Wen.

Rogue One’s Diego Luna Never Thought He’d Be in Star Wars. Then Hollywood Changed (Photo: esquire.com)

For Luna, getting cast in Star Wars was a dream come true and something he was very excited to share with his children. To be in a galaxy far, far away… is literally something “out of this world” for any actor.

Sources:

• Esquire.com
• nerdist.com
• usatoday.com

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