Lynda Carter Wants James Cameron to "Stop Dissing" 'Wonder Woman'

[RandySF]

Wonder Woman herself isn't happy with comments James Cameron has made about the hit movie about the DC superhero.

Lynda Carter, who played the character in the 1970s TV show, shared a post on Facebook Thursday after a The Hollywood Reporter cover story featured Cameron doubling down on a previous critique he made of this summer's Wonder Woman.

"To James Cameron -STOP dissing WW: You poor soul. Perhaps you do not understand the character. I most certainly do," Carter wrote. "Like all women--we are more than the sum of our parts. Your thuggish jabs at a brilliant director, Patty Jenkins, are ill advised. This movie was spot on. Gal Gadot was great. I know, Mr. Cameron--I have embodied this character for more than 40 years. So--STOP IT."

Here's a quick refresher course on Cameron v. Wonder Woman:

In August, Cameron sparked a controversy after he called Wonder Woman "a step backwards." He said in interview with The Guardian, "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 pointed to his Terminator protagonist Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) as an example of what a strong female protagonist could be.


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/wonder-woman-lynda-carter-wants-james-cameron-stop-dissing-movie-1044257?utm_source=twitter&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral

[BumRushDaShow]

1. That's a difficult debate to reconcile

when arguing the genres of comic book/fantasy vs scifi and the role of women.

The comic super hero characters are exaggerated protagonists (and all are artfully costumed) written specifically to be "heroic" (sometimes dabbling in anti-hero behavior) and usually possessing "super powers", whereas the scifi protagonists tend to be closer to modern humans operating in a fictional future, who eventually morph into a "hero" through their experiences and drive (often supplemented with technology that enhances their abilities).

Of course the Wonder Woman character derived out of the Greek myths of the "Amazon women" (the "myths" themselves derived from the existence of women warriors, whether autonomous, or integrated in various societies in ancient world).

[Girard442]

2. Of all the comic book heroes, the one I think most realistic was Watchmen's Rorschach.

He was also deranged and terrifying, so not exactly a role model.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. The better ones

are archetypes that represent clear manifestations of "the human condition". They are not necessarily role models but their internal struggles establish the ambiguities they face as a protagonist where they may shift back and forth between "hero" and "anti-hero" (but are not considered a "villain" ).

[Adrahil]

6. Rorschach was specifically intended as a RWNJ.

Alan Moore devised him as a critique of far right vigilantes in superhero fiction.

He was slightly surprised by the popularity of the character. I think it's because Rorschach is SUCH an unabashed asshole that people find him amusing.

[Blue_Adept]

4. Wonder Woman is a hugely important movie and it connected with millions of people

in an important way. I enjoyed seeing it in the theater, my teenage daughters adored it, and we bought the steelbook Blu-ray release. I've been a fan of the character in comics since the early 80's and have loved the resurgence, especially the recent Sensation Comics run and the Bombshells series.

But the movie, as good as it is, has a horrid third act and is flawed in terms of pacing and structure, notably in regards to its ill-formed villain. I'm not getting into Cameron's comments on it because his views are what they are, but the film is definitely not one of the best things ever. There are real problems with it that have plagued all the DC movies.

[Dave Starsky]

5. I remember that scene in True Lies...

Where the hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger, humiliates his wife and makes her take her clothes off and dance seductively for him while he watches her behind a one-way glass.

Written and directed by Academy Award winner director and massively arrogant douchebag James Cameron.

So I really don't give a fuck what he has to say on the topic of Wonder Woman.

[ProfessorPlum]

8. True Lies was disturbing on so many fronts

violent, but in a tragic rather than comic way, Arab-phobic, misogynistic (that scene that you mention, happening as it does as a punishment for the wife's (perceived?) infidelity, was nausea-inducing).

I left the theater with a sour taste in my mouth that lasted for weeks after seeing that film. you're right to bring it up in this context.

Also, james cameron has a history of dumping on women directors, including his ex-wife. so nothing too surprising here.

[Blue_Adept]

10. It reflected a post-80's action film period and US tastes well at the time

The film made just under $400 million - back in 1994. Which is some pretty damn good numbers. The style was a sendup of the Bond films to some degree mixed with more overt humor that reflected what American society was largely interested in at the time.

[ProfessorPlum]

15. Yeah, I know what it reflected

Since I saw it. Had a really cruel mean undercurrent.

[Johonny]

9. +1

[bluepen]

11. Used-car salesmen were also treated unfairly in the movie.

I mean, what a horrible stereotype. And the violence against him! Oh dear. Why was this movie even allowed to be made? Is it too late to organize a boycott, general strike, or march on Washington? Something should be done to prevent anyone from ever seeing this movie again based on the undeniable massive influence it has had on Western culture. OUTRAGE!!!!



Disclaimer: I guess posts like this are the reason this website needs that silly sarcasm icon. But I’ll take my chances. Also, True Lies was only mildly entertaining and highly forgettable.

[SharonClark]

13. Thank you for remembering that.

[Adrahil]

7. While I have my issues with WW as a character....

I think JC's criticism rings a little hollow.

Yes, she is still rather objectified. But in this movie, at least, she exhibits a strong sense of agency. Let's take victories in steps, if we have to.

[Mendocino]

12. Cameron has been married 5 times

He has a titanic ego. I would suspect he has problems with women.

[gratuitous]

14. Criticism from the guy who made Avatar?

Please. You want to see strong women wasted in throwaway roles, and a paint-by-numbers storyline that cave painters found primitive? Thank you for your concern, Mr. Cameron; don't call us, we'll call you.