Jenna Ortega Calls For More Female-Led Franchises Over Just Spinoff: ‘Want To See Another Badass’

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As a dedicated fan and admirer of the arts, I find myself deeply moved by the powerful words of Jenna Ortega, a young actress who is not only talented but also thoughtful about the industry she is part of. Her call for more original female-led franchises resonates with me profoundly, as someone who has spent countless hours in front of the screen, longing to see strong, complex women on it.

Jenna Ortega, recognized for her bold and influential acting roles, is advocating forcefully for an increase in unique female-centric series in Hollywood. In a recent chat with MTV to publicize her newest movie, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Ortega expressed the significance of creating fresh narratives for women as opposed to merely rebooting established male-driven franchises.

During the interview, Ortega was inquired about her thoughts on portraying a gender-swapped iconic character, such as taking on the role of Edith Scissorhands (a variation of Edward Scissorhands) if Tim Burton presented her with this opportunity. Although Ortega advocated for more female protagonists, she expressed a preference for fresh, unique characters instead of reinterpretations of male roles.

Ortega expressed, “I’m thrilled about the increase in female leads today; it’s truly unique. However, I feel we need our own [unique] characters, not just spinoffs or imitations like ‘Jane Bond.’ Instead, I yearn for another fearless protagonist who isn’t tied to the shadow of male-centric narratives.” Her remarks highlight the growing desire for authentic female-driven stories that can thrive independently.

Ortega’s viewpoint adds significance to the debate in Hollywood regarding women’s representation in film series. While there’s been an observable growth in projects centered on females, the approach of reimagining established male characters as females has sparked diverse opinions. Some consider this a step towards diversity, but Ortega argues that it’s more impactful to develop original female characters from scratch instead.

For quite some time now, the question about whether a female lead could take over as James Bond has been under discussion, especially in relation to the franchise. However, it’s been made clear by long-standing producer Barbara Broccoli that the role of 007 will continue to be played by a male actor.

Barbara expressed her viewpoint to The Hollywood Reporter that the next James Bond is likely to be a man, as she feels strongly against casting a woman for the role. Instead, she advocates for creating robust female characters rather than having women step into traditionally male roles. She expressed her belief that there are insufficient compelling roles for women in films currently, and suggested that more movies focusing on women should be produced.

It’s not just Ortega who feels this way; other actors and industry experts share the same perspective. For instance, Ana de Armas, who worked alongside Daniel Craig in No Time to Die, has expressed her belief that James Bond should continue as a male character.

She told the Sun that there’s no need for a female Bond. She said there should be no need to steal someone else’s character in order to take control. She added that this is a novel, and it takes you into the James Bond world and the fantasy of the universe where he is.

Daniel Craig, who has just concluded his tenure as James Bond, voiced his thoughts on the topic during a conversation with Radio Times. Instead of merely swapping gender roles, he advocated for creating more substantial parts for women and actors of diverse backgrounds.

Craig expressed that the solution is quite straightforward: there ought to be more empowering roles for both women and actors of color. Moreover, he pondered over the idea of why a female character can’t embody an equally captivating role as James Bond, instead of simply filling his shoes.

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2024-09-04 12:14