Gender equality has been a major topic of conversation over the last couple years in Hollywood. There is perhaps no bigger force pushing the issue thanMarvel Studios, and it appears that they are going to be making big strides for gender equality within their organization in the near future. Marvel Studios executive vice president of physical productionVictoria Alonsorecently discussed these changes and stated that the studio is going to be making them both in front of and behind the camera.
Victoria Alonsorecently spoke at a Women in Technology luncheon.The Hollywood Reportershowcased some of what she said during her speech and she made it very clear that Marvel Studios is planning on bringingmore womeninto the company’s ranks. Here is some of what she had to say.
“We have hadgender inequalityfor some time. It wasn’t always talked about …. In the past year, it bubbled up and it’s no longer acceptable to women and some men. Change is needed and hopefully we can make a balanced Hollywood for the next generation. I don’t want to be the only [woman] in the room. Our rooms should be 50/50. If any of you - men or women - can lift [women] up, we’ll all be better for it.”
She also stated that there is a “conscious change” going on within the studio and thatKevin Feigeand co-presidentLouis D’Espositoare “determined to make change.“Victoria Alonsoalso had some words specifically for the men in the room at the luncheon. She made a point that they are important for change in the future of the industry and that the product they create will be better if more women get involved.
“You are important change makers. When you wonderful men say ‘balance is necessary’…you open that door and the product is going to be better [with varied perspectives].”
Marvel Studios has been absolutely dominating the box office in recent years, so what is depicted in their movies will have a big impact on the industry. While there have been some powerful female characters such asScarlett Johannsonas Black Widow featured in the MCU, there is definitely room for improvement in the eyes of many. One of the major issues is that the studio has yet to release a movie featuring a female superhero in the lead, but that is changing relatively soon.
Over the summer, the studio announced that Oscar winnerBrie Larsonwill be playing Carol Danvers, akaCaptain Marvelin her own solo movie, which is slated to come out June 10, 2025. Not only that, but Marvel is actively looking for a female director to helm the project, which speaks to the “behind the camera” aspect of what Marvel Studios is hoping to accomplish. The studio was also trying to courtSelmadirectorAva Duvernayto tackleBlack Pantherat one point, but she declined. So some of it hasn’t been for a lack of trying. In addition, the script forCaptain Marvelwas written by two women withMeg LeFauve(Inside Out) andNicole Perlman(Guardians of the Galaxy) splitting duties on it. WithKevin FeigeandVictoria Alonsoactively seeking equality, expect this trend to continue in the future for Marvel Studios.
