Star Wars Actor Says He Was Told to Cut Off His Dreadlocks as They’d Be Too ‘Realistic,’ Despite The Franchise Being About ‘Giant Slugs and Swords Made of Light’
Actor Jordan Stephens, known for his role as Corporal Tonc in Star Wars: Rogue One, declined to reprise his character in the Disney+ series Andor after production requested he cut off his dreadlocks—which he had been growing for seven years—to maintain a “realistic” appearance for a one-day filming commitment.
Stephens highlighted the absurdity of the requirement in an industry where Star Wars is defined by fantastical elements like alien species and lightsabers. His experience underscores ongoing tensions in the entertainment industry regarding creative autonomy and appearance-based demands placed on actors, raising questions about workplace standards and potentially discriminatory aesthetic requirements.
The actor’s declination represents a missed opportunity for character expansion, as Andor’s prequel format was designed to flesh out minor characters from Rogue One with deeper storytelling. His departure reflects broader industry concerns about the authority production companies wield over actors’ personal appearance choices and working conditions.