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May 5 (UPI) -- Star Wars newcomer Laura Dern says The Last Jedi empowers women. The 50-year-old actress said in an interview with CBS News the forthcoming film will feature more strong female characters and "flip the script" in terms of diversity.
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"What I can say that I love about The Last Jedi is that it empowers female characters -- girls and women -- and minorities and an iconic female character like Carrie Fisher gave us," Dern said, referencing Fisher's Princess Leia.
"Part of the legacy of Star Wars is that women are not just part of the story, they make the story and the mythology of the story. That's always been there thanks to George Lucas and this invention," She elaborated. "Being part of that is really exciting and how they are flipping the script in terms of diversity in various roles. I feel super proud to be part of it."
The Last Jedi is a sequel to The Force Awakens (2015), which was praised for its strong female protagonist, Rey (Daisy Ridley). Dern said in a Build Series interview in March that The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson also drew her to the blockbuster movie.
"He's made a few beautiful, small, independent films, and now has this opportunity to be writing and directing a Star Wars. So it's an exciting time where it's all blurring together a bit," she said after commenting on big-budget versus indie films.
"Even though the experiences can be radically different, there are innovators everywhere you look," the star added.
Dern was confirmed for The Last Jedi in February, although details about her role are being kept under wraps. The Last Jedi will star Ridley, Fisher, who died in December, and Mark Hamill, and open in theaters Dec. 15.
