Disney and Hasbro have released the latest version of Star Wars-themed Monopoly, and one major character is missing from the board: Star Wars: The Force Awaken's lead, Rey (Daisy Ridley). Characters who made the cut include Kylo Ren, Finn (both new additions from the film), Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. The exclusion of the film's main character is drawing ire from fans all over the internet who are using the hashtag #WheresRey.
Fans are posting pictures of the board with the missing Rey piece, saying:
Someone seems to be missing in Star Wars Monopoly. Unbelievable. #whereisrey pic.twitter.com/NKceWEKVbZ
— Mike Caulfield (@holden) December 22, 2015
Hmmm... I know you can't include all the characters, but maybe include the main one? #WheresRey pic.twitter.com/kevq2FxNUh — Andy Tiarks (@HopivoreAndy) January 3, 2016
Fans are also complaining that Darth Vader, who appeared in previous films but not in The Force Awakens, made the cut but Rey didn't. Hasbro says the move was strategic, saying they didn't want to spoil parts of the movie. Julie Duffy, Hasbro's Global Communications vice president told the Daily News, "Rey was not included to avoid revealing a key plot line that she takes on Kylo Ren and joins the Rebel Alliance," she said. Monopoly isn't the only place Rey is missing from, though. Fans are quick to note that she is missing from Disney stores and other game sets as well:
From a friend: #WheresRey @DisneyStore Times Square? "We don't stock her," they said. #StarWars #TheForceAwakens pic.twitter.com/kA8o5AiMoL — Rebel Michallience (@inkasrain) January 3, 2016
Pretty amazing that main character is missing from #StarWars toy set. #WheresRey ?! https://t.co/0FRxsRwUQo — Siouxsie Wiles (@SiouxsieW) January 3, 2016
Disney's senior vice president and head of licensing for Lucasfilm, Paul Southern, said in an interview with The Daily Beast, "Rey and Phasma feature prominently across hundreds of products, and are selling exceptionally well."
He continued, "In many stores and e-commerce destinations, products featuring Rey are selling as quickly as retailers can restock shelves. Fans will also be seeing a lot more of Rey with a new wave of product coming in January."
Star Wars merchandise isn't the only product line to leave out key female characters. One keen fan pointed out two other major film franchises with the same problem:
Avengers set - no Black Widow Guardians set - no Gamora Star Wars - no Rey. She's THE MAIN CHARACTER. #WheresRey pic.twitter.com/TvYUeiA49o
— Jamie Ford (@JamieFord) November 12, 2015
Actor Mark Ruffalo even got in on the Marvel toy action, tweeting back in April, "@Marvel we need more #BlackWidow merchandise for my daughters and nieces. Pretty please."