'Star Wars: Episode 8' Release Date, News & Update: 'Star Wars' To Include Gay Characters? JJ Abrams Leads Call For Gender Diversity In 'Star Wars'

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" placing Daisy Ridley in a starring role as Rey alongside John Boyega as Finn has been marked as a success in J.J. Abrams' push for diversity and inclusivity in "Star Wars." J.J. Abrams was reportedly asked if diversity in "Star Wars" will extend to include gay characters in the film franchise.

According to The Daily Beast J.J. Abrams confirmed this possibility during the US-Ireland Alliance's annual Oscar Wilde Awards, which was hosted in Abrams' Bad Robot headquarters."When I talk about inclusivity it's not excluding gay characters," Abrams said. "It's about inclusivity. So of course. I would love it. To me, the fun of Star Wars is the glory of possibility. So it seems insanely narrow-minded and counterintuitive to say that there wouldn't be a homosexual character in that world."

Screen Rant reports that the inclusion of this specific agenda may either come from characters in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" or may be new characters in the new "Star Wars" films, although J.J. Abrams was unable to confirm. The media outlet points out that one angle that may be used among existing "Star Wars" characters to emphasize inclusion in terms of homosexuality are the characters of Finn and Poe Dameron. John Boyega's ex-stormtrooper Finn and "X-Men: Apocalypse" actor Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron grew into friendship when they first met in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." However, other characters may still be explored aside from Finn and Poe Dameron.

The first in the "Star Wars" anthology, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" will be directed by Gareth Edwards, while "Star Wars" Episode 8 will be in the hands of "Looper" director Rian Johnson. "Star Wars" Episode 9, on the other hand, will be directed by "Jurassic World" director Colin Trevorrow. How much of what J.J. Abrams indicated will show in these and succeeding "Star Wars" films will eventually become clear.

#SpotlightOfTheWeek - Stormtroopers attack in hordes to overwhelm their enemies. More at: https://t.co/mnMeY1tGcX pic.twitter.com/GTnmHisA2y

— Star Wars (@starwars) February 28, 2016

In the meantime, scheduled "Star Wars" theater release line up include "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" for December 16, 2016, "Star Wars" Episode 8 for December 15, 2017 and "Star Wars" Anthology on Han Solo for May 25, 2018. "Star Wars" Episode 9 will be in theaters in 2019.