Is This 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Concept Art for Lupita Nyong'o's Character Maz Kanata?
The Episode VII team has released what appears to be concept art for Lupita Nyong'o's character, Maz Kanata in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
An image has made its way online that's reported to be concept art for Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o's CGI pirate character, Maz Kanata, from "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens."
Indie Revolver released the first exclusive look of what the online publication claims is Maz Kanata, a poster some netizens have been calling a racist representation of the mysterious female pirate queen.
Looking vaguely reptile-like and simian at the same time, Episode VII's purported Maz Kanata is dark-skinned with heavy-lidded eyes set far apart, no nose, and thick lips in a face with high cheekbones over an elongated neck.
The concept art portrays the creature sporting a red bandanna tied Caribbean-style around what appears to be a hairless head.
Initially codenamed Rose to prevent off-the-set leaks, Maz Kanata's character is an alien who owns a castle and plays host to smugglers, pirates, travelers and other space riff raff.
Her participation in the film was first revealed in an exclusive article in the May 2015 issue of Vanity Fair with several photos of Nyong'o in her motion capture suit as shot by celebrity photographer, Annie Leibowitz.
Maz Kanata's face in profile can also be seen in a split second shot in the film's second teaser trailer where the pirate queen hands a lightsaber over to one of Leia and Hans' twins.
Lucasfilm hasn't revealed many details about Maz Kanata, and all fans have to go on are rumors she may be a Force-sensitive life form disguised as a smuggler whom Luke Skywalker may have taken on as an apprentice, making it plausible she has knowledge of the significance of a lightsaber, as she is seen handing one down to the next generation.
"Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens" will be premiering in U.S. theaters on December 18, 2015.
