You know, I have seen so many reactions like this since The Last Jedi premiered I have to wonder if all these supposed Star Wars fans even like Star Wars at all – or have actually seen the original trilogy.

Is the original trilogy as diverse as it could be? Of course not, but we are talking about films made forty years ago. Lets see how they stack up against a movie made in 2017.

When Lando was introduced in Empire he was no clueless, hopeless soldier-grunt like Finn, he was Ruler of Cloud City, the most technologically advanced civilisation yet seen in the series. He conversed with Lord Vader almost as a peer. He was taken seriously by friends and foes alike, and in his position of authority had all manner of “union troubles and labour disputes” to deal with. He was a rich and fascinating character.

By the time we see him again in Return of the Jedi, he’s a General in the Rebellion, and “Gold Leader” in the decisive Battle of Endor. And who did he serve under? The new female Rebel Leader Mon Mothma, who had apparently taken over from female Rebel Leader Leia Organa, and a non-human, in the form of Admiral Ackbar. Let’s not forget that in the Star Wars universe, diversity is not just about humans. [What happened to the most respected non-human, non-Jedi character in the entire series? Rian decided he should die offscreen in The Last Jedi]

Ackbar was not alone, in those films our wise Jedi master was not an old white guy (Luke) but a little green alien. (The Last Jedi’s little grey aliens are ‘caretakers’). Hell, even a giant slug got his own palace.

Forty year old films. What’s The Last Jedi’s excuse?