While Comic-Con has traditionally been a haven for male-starring action movies, with the phenomenal success of “Wonder Woman,” Hollywood is fast coming to realize that female-led action movies and television shows — whether the women are in front of or behind the camera — are a sizable draw.
“It would be nice to have some momentum and sustain it,” actress Charlize Theron said during the Entertainment Weekly-sponsored panel “Women Who Kick Ass.”
“A film like ’Wonder Woman’ awoke studios to understand that these [big] budgets should be handed over to a woman” director,” Miss Theron said of “Woman Woman” director Patty Jenkins, who also directed Miss Theron’s Oscar-winning performance in “Monster.”
“They can do the job — if not better,” Miss Theron said.
The star of “Mad Max: Fury Road” and the upcoming “Atomic Blonde” also spoke about the limiting ways women are often portrayed onscreen.
“When a story doesn’t quite work, I find that the female characters in the movie will always be the ones that are used to then emotionally manipulate in a way that men don’t get used in that way — meaning that we are known to be nurturers,” Miss Theron said. “We might not be thought of as just warriors, so we need a reason to become a warrior.
“And I have problem with that because we really are warriors, and it’s time for us to be [portrayed] that way.”
Miss Theron decried the typically male-centric storyline of a person losing a child or a mate that kicks a revenge-driven story into gear. She said there is far more to being a “warrior” character than evening up old scores.
“That’s not today,” the 41-year-old actress said.
Miss Theron said that while she loves an emotional story, there is a “laziness” behind the “easy” choices screenwriters often make. This can be subverted, she believes, with more women being in positions of decision-making in Hollywood.
“We all have to step up to the plate and find more interesting choices with women, and not have these easy mother/nurturer, Madonna/whore complex[es] that we have lived [with] for so long,” she said.
And on the subject of sex, Miss Theron discussed frankly her “Atomic Blonde” character’s love scenes with another woman.
“The story gets furthered through that relationship more than it would have ever with a man,” Miss Theron said of the film opening July 28. “The one time she struggles with her humanity and being vulnerable is in that scene.
“I’m glad she didn’t have to examine her brokenness with a man.”
During the “Doctor Who” panel, outgoing showrunner Steven Moffat condemned social media reaction that came upon news of the casting of Jodie Whittaker as the first female to assay the iconic part.
And while much was made in the media about backlash, Mr. Moffat believes the issue was more a sticking point for commentators than the show’s fanbase.
“The story of the moment is that the notionally conservative ’Doctor Who’ fandom has utterly embraced that change completely,” Mr. Moffat said, adding that “80 percent” of the social media reaction to the casting change has been positive.
“And yet so many people wanted to pretend there’s a problem. There isn’t,” he said.
Miss Whittaker will take over the role from Peter Capaldi beginning next season. Miss Whitaker will be the 13th actor to portray the character.
“Doctor Who” fans, Mr. Moffat said, “are more excited by the fact that there’s going to be a brilliant actress playing the part than the fact that she’s a woman.”
“I wish every single journalist who is writing the alternative would shut the hell up,” he said.
Mr. Capaldi, who will make his last appearance as the character in the show’s Christmas special, was quick to praise Miss Whittaker’s casting.
“She really, really loves the show, and she’s a brilliant actress, so it’s really thrilling to know that it’s in the hands of someone who cares for it so deeply,” Mr. Capaldi said. “She’s a great choice, as far as I’m concerned.”
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