If you’re a fan of DC comics, superheroes, or female empowerment then you’re in luck! Warner Bros. is hinting about the possible release of a film like never before. Imagine an iconic, revolutionary film adaptation featuring several of DC’s most loved female villains and heroes. The idea itself is just booming with awesomeness!
Why is this regarded as something out of the ordinary? Well, the reality is that women are so often misrepresented, sexualized, trivialized, or even left out all together in films – especially “violent” action films. So, the production of a movie centered around females that doesn’t completely dehumanize women is quite a radical idea. Women are depicted in high action violent films as damsels in distress – simple props placed in the movie only to make their male lead counterpart shine. The other option is that the women characters exist strictly for male amusement, their bodies being sexualized to the point of utter ridiculousness. Female characters are more than twice as likely to be either partially or fully naked or have a skinny body type. I mean really, who can comfortably fight in combat when wearing a push up bra and booty shorts? Add in the fact that nearly every past attempt at a female focused superhero movie ended up fizzling out and you can see why women are fed up with this. Therefore, having a superhero movie focusing on women that doesn’t actually harm women through shameful stereotypes is truly unique. This film is speculated to be featuring fan favorites like Harley Quinn, Batgirl, and Birds of Prey (just to name a few).
The gorgeous and ever so talented Margot Robbie (she plays Harley Quinn in the 2016 movie Suicide Squad) is collaborating on the film. She will play Harley Quinn again and she also is involved in the actual production process of the film. Lots of details about this soon to be film are still being held under wraps, but we do know one thing. The writer is female! This means that this untitled movie is written by women, produced by women, and has women characters. This is like female empowerment times 10!
Thinking forward about this movie, one can only hope that the cast will be more inclusive. According to a study conducted on representation of female characters, 74% of all female characters were white, 11% were black, 4% were latina, and 4% were asian. This shows that the gender divide can actually be split up once again into the race divide. Hopefully, at least some of the featured female superheroes and villains will be non-white characters. A gender inclusive and race inclusive modern action movie is much needed.
While not too many details about this movie have been released yet, it has already sparked a conversation that has needed this ignition for a long time now. The movies we watch on the big screen impact our society, the media, and the minds of our youth. These things contribute to the cultural separations that are still prevalent today through gender and race divides. Empowering young women in a such a big way like a mega film is a step in the right direction. It is a pro-women step, an inspirational step, and a step we’ve been waiting for. I can’t wait to buy my ticket for this film, who else is with me?
