Amy Schumer’s ‘Star Wars’ Photoshoot Was Never Authorized

Amy Schumer’s photos with Star Wars droids in the latest issue of GQ have gone viral across the internet, but it now appears that the funny lady failed to license the characters.

Mark Seliger took the photos of Schumer for the August issue of GQ. The set includes photos of Schumer in the iconic Slave Leia bikini posing with droids C-3PO and R2-D2, Chewbacca the Wookie, and even a chorus line of dancing stormtroopers.

Once the images of Schumer made their way to the internet, the combined power of her rising popularity and the public’s love of all things Star Wars created the perfect viral conditions. The pictures of Schumer and the Star Wars characters have been trending on Facebook and Twitter for days.

Entertainment Weekly was the first to point out that Schumer and GQ borrowed the characters without seeking permission from Lucasfilm, the Disney subsidiary that owns the rights. Representatives of the film company were reportedly caught off guard to see the images of Schumer and its characters when they appeared online.

As one might expect, Lucasfilm officials were also less than pleased with the way the characters were used. In some of the photos, Schumer appears to be topless in bed, sharing a cigarette with the droids. In another, Schumer holds a small light saber provocatively in her mouth.

“It’s not surprising that GQ would want to capitalize on the cultural cachet of Star Wars, but Lucasfilm and Disney did not authorize, participate in or condone the inappropriate use of our characters in this manner,” the company said in a statement released to Entertainment Weekly.

BBC News also took note of Schumer and GQ’s apparent lack of licensing for the shoot. The British media outlet reported on several tweets Lucasfilm posted about the Schumer photos.

@patr1ckw @GQMagazine Lucasfilm & Disney did not authorize, participate in or condone the inappropriate use of our characters in this manner

— Star Wars | #TheMandalorian is Now Streaming (@starwars) July 16, 2015

Why Schumer chose to use the Star Wars characters for her GQ photo shoot is unclear, as the actress and comedian has yet to speak publicly about them. Entertainment Weekly reports that Schumer is unlikely to face legal action because parody is generally considered to be a protected form of free speech.

While the Star Wars franchise is gearing up the December release of its seventh film, Schumer is promoting her latest project, a romantic comedy called Trainwreck. The film is from the producer of Bridesmaids and stars Schumer alongside Bill Hader. The film opens July 17 in the U.S., and Schumer has been making numerous appearances to promote it.

Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens is set to open December 18. Schumer is not believed to be involved in that project.

[Image via Mark Seliger/GQ]