James Cameron Criticises Wonder Woman’s Portrayal in Hollywood
James Cameron’s remarks on Wonder Woman’s depiction sparked debate over female superheroes. Discover why the acclaimed director took issue with Gal Gadot’s iconic role and how it compares to his own cinematic heroines.
When Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman arrived in cinemas in 2017, it was met with widespread enthusiasm. Yet, not everyone in the industry was entirely pleased. James Cameron, the director behind Avatar: Fire and Ash, voiced his discontent with the way Hollywood presented the character, despite the film’s success and positive reception. Cameron’s main concern was the manner in which Diana Prince was depicted, suggesting that the industry had simply continued its old habits.
James Cameron’s Take on Hollywood’s Approach
In an interview, Cameron expressed his reservations about the celebration surrounding Wonder Woman’s release. He felt that the praise was misplaced, as he believed the character was still being objectified by the film industry. According to him, the film’s approach did little to move away from traditional portrayals of female icons.
All of the self-congratulatory back-patting Hollywood’s been doing over Wonder Woman has been so misguided. She’s an objectified icon, and it’s just male Hollywood doing the same old thing.
He went on to clarify that, while he did not dislike the film itself, he saw its depiction of the lead as a step in the wrong direction.
I’m not saying I didn’t like the movie but, to me, it’s a step backwards.
Comparisons with Sarah Connor
Cameron drew a comparison between Gal Gadot’s Diana Prince and Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor from the Terminator series. He recalled that, when Sarah Connor first appeared on screen, she was not intended to be a beauty symbol. Instead, her strength and complexity were at the forefront, and her flaws were integral to her character.
Sarah Connor was not a beauty icon. She was strong, she was troubled, she was a terrible mother, and she earned the respect of the audience through pure grit.
He added that the value of such characters should be evident, especially considering the diverse audience watching these films.
And to me, [the benefit of characters like Sarah] is so obvious. I mean, half the audience is female!
Wonder Woman’s Character Under Patty Jenkins
Despite Cameron’s criticism, many viewers felt that Jenkins’ interpretation of Diana Prince was far from objectified. The film was celebrated for giving a female superhero a nuanced and respectful portrayal, something not always achieved in the genre. While some female-led superhero films have struggled to resonate, Wonder Woman became one of the most commercially successful entries in its universe.
Critics and fans alike noted that Diana Prince was not without her own imperfections. Her tendency to see the world in black and white, her defiance of Queen Hippolyta, and her internal conflict between personal affection and duty all contributed to a layered character. The story’s central message revolved around the acceptance of human flaws, with Diana’s journey reflecting this theme.
Key Details and Audience Response
Wonder Woman, directed by Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, and Connie Nielsen, premiered on 2 June 2017. The film achieved a 7.3/10 rating on IMDb and a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, grossing $822 million worldwide. Produced by DC Entertainment, it is available to stream on HBO Max.
The debate over whether Diana Prince was objectified remains open, with audiences encouraged to share their perspectives on the character’s portrayal.