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 than Marvel 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 production Victoria Alonso recently discussed these changes and stated that the studio is going to be making them both in front of and behind the camera.
Victoria Alonso recently spoke at a Women in Technology luncheon. The Hollywood Reporter showcased some of what she said during her speech and she made it very clear that Marvel Studios is planning on bringing more women into the company's ranks. Here is some of what she had to say.
"We have had gender inequality for 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 that Kevin Feige and co-president Louis D'Esposito are "determined to make change." Victoria Alonso also 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 as Scarlett Johannson as 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 winner Brie Larson will be playing Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel in her own solo movie, which is slated to come out March 9, 2019. 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 court Selma director Ava Duvernay to tackle Black Panther at one point, but she declined. So some of it hasn't been for a lack of trying. In addition, the script for Captain Marvel was written by two women with Meg LeFauve (Inside Out) and Nicole Perlman (Guardians of the Galaxy) splitting duties on it. With Kevin Feige and Victoria Alonso actively seeking equality, expect this trend to continue in the future for Marvel Studios.