In this May 11, 2014 file photo, director Gareth Edwards poses for photographers on the red carpet for the UK premiere of Godzilla in London. (Photo by Jon Furniss/Invision/AP, File)
By Lindsey Bahr, Film Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --
Director Gareth Edwards says he gave himself a cameo in the "Star Wars" spinoff "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." But, as with most things "Star Wars," Edwards is staying mum on what exactly that entails.
The reveal, he said, might have to wait for the DVD extras.
Edwards is a self-proclaimed "Star Wars" super fan and has said that as a child he used to watch the first 10 minutes of the 1977 "Star Wars" every day before school.
"Rogue One" is set right before the events of that original film and chronicles the saga of the rebels who steal the plans for the Death Star. Arriving in theaters on Dec. 16, "Rogue One" is the first in a series of spinoffs set inside the universe of "Star Wars."
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion … could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More
