Fans around the world will line up in front of movie theatres Thursday night to see a midnight showing of the latest film from the Avengers franchise, but I have chosen not to support this film.
I know what you’re thinking. How could you not want to see possibly the most successful movie of the year? Why would you miss seeing Chris Evans flaunt his shield or Chris Hemsworth wave his hammer? Well, despite the tempting offer to marvel at these two actors, I do not want to see the movie because of the treatment of arguably the most underrated actor in the film: Scarlett Johansson. Johansson, a Golden Globe nominee, and her character, Black Widow, are not as valued as her male costars and their characters.
Marketing
Avengers: Age of Ultron is a Marvel film, a publication known for creating many of the superhero characters that children and adults love. In 2009, The Walt Disney Company became Marvel’s parent company, which means Disney markets some of the toys and products with characters from Avengers. Last Week, Vanity Fair published an article online reporting that out of 60 types of merchandise being sold for the film, only four items included Johansson’s character, Black Widow. None of these items feature Black Widow alone. She is either posing with the rest of the Avengers or another male character. Disney Consumer products responded to Vanity Fair claiming that there are Black Widow items, but they are not available for purchase yet.
Press
The cast of Avengers: Age of Ultron has been promoting the movie for weeks. Although actress Elizabeth Olsen also stars in this film, Johansson is the only woman who attends the most important interviews with cast members Robert Downey Jr. and Jeremy Renner for shows like “Jimmy Kimmel Live”. Being the only woman, Johansson is typically asked unrelated and sexist questions during interviews. While her male costars are asked about the film’s storyline or their stunts, Johansson is asked about her diet. In one case, Johansson was even asked what type of underwear she wore while wearing her Black Widow costume. In a recent interview with Cosmpolitan UK, the interviewer asked costar Mark Ruffalo some of the questions Johansson is typically asked and asked Johansson relevant questions about the film. I find it troubling that some members of the entertainment industry still do not understand how women should be treated in Hollywood.
Spinoffs
Almost all of the main cast members in Avengers: Age of Ultron have had separate superhero movies for their character. Robert Downey Jr. has starred in three Iron Man movies, Chris Evans has starred in two Captain America movies (with a third on the way), and Chris Hemsworth has starred in two Thor films (also with a third on the way). Mark Ruffalo hasn’t played the Hulk in other films, but there have been previous adaptations of the Hulk. All of these characters have had their own films, but Scarlett Johansson has yet to have her own film as Black Widow. Jeremy Renner’s character, Hawkeye, does not have his own film, but that character has only appeared as a main character in one Marvel movie. Black Widow, however, has appeared as a main character in two Marvel movies already and will be starring in two more.
So, although I will surely miss some action-packed scenes, I cannot see a movie when I think an actress and character are not being respected. Hopefully, the next Marvel movie I see will be titled Black Widow.
Images from: Vanity Fair, The Huffington Post, Marvel, and Feminspire.