At the time I sat down to write this, the “Avengers: Age of Ultron” teaser trailer posted by the official Marvel Entertainment YouTube channel had over 38 million views. I probably account for around 35 million of them, give or take a couple hundred thousand.
The teaser was originally intended to be released on October 28th during that week’s episode of “Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD”, but after the announcement Disney and Marvel could only revel in fan anticipation for less than 24 hours before the clip was leaked on Wednesday afternoon, spreading so uncannily fast across all levels of the internet that Marvel just gave up, posted the HD teaser, and announced that a new EXCLUSIVE SCENE (all caps for emphasis in their first official tweet about it) from the movie would be played during the show next Tuesday.
Via: Business Insider
It took me a few days to get over the trailer hype, to be honest. It’s hard for me to be immediately critical and objective when it comes to these things, as I usually fall for every single marketing ploy these big movie studios utilize, especially when they’re using Marvel superheroes as their propaganda dudes. And, I’m a sucker for movies that reek of money.
Now, sense and opinion usually hit me in the back of the head at some point. I’m a fantasy/sci-fi movie buff. I’m a religious comic book reader. A “fake geek.” And, as per the Official Handbook of Geekdom, I am either trying to get guys or I’m too annoying and opinionated and I needlessly project social issues into stuff that’s just supposed to be entertainment. I think I fit more in the second category.
So here: quick five-second break from fangirling to talk about something that so far, has really sucked in the current sci-fi/fantasy movie industry.
Via: Lee and Low Books
Needless to say, it’s a sausage fest. And it’s not even a colorful, mixed-flavor sausage fest. It’s like movie studios have a farm in some undisclosed location where they grow white male protagonists whose typical white male fictional problems can be used as the emotional lynchpin of another sci-fi flick, featuring the brave black best friend and the strong female character who will inevitably taste the protagonist’s sausage at some point.
I’m not saying this isn’t a formula that works wonders – formulas become formulas for a reason – I’m just saying that Marvel and Disney Studios have three ongoing solo movie franchises led by tall strong blond white actors named Chris and zero plans to give Scarlett Johansson her own franchise even though Black Widow has played key parts in three movies, four if you count “Avengers: Age of Ultron”. But on the bright side, get this: this next “Avengers” installment will feature not one, but – gasp – two token black guys! In the trailer, one of them was caught on frame for only like half a heartbeat, but the other one got the whole shot all to himself, even if it was for less than a second!
Via: Hit Fix
It’s true, audiences will swallow this type of movie whole. I know I most certainly will. Hell, I’m absolute trash, because if you give me a movie centered solely on some hot space ranger guy’s morning routine, I’m going to be excited for it. The thing is, I’d be interested in any sci-fi/fantasy protagonist’s morning routine, not just sexy white guys. Sci-fi movies are attracting more and more people outside its usual male nerd niche – 44% of the audience of “Guardians of the Galaxy” was female, for instance 4.
Fortunately, the future doesn’t look so bleak, or monochromatic: both Marvel and DC have announced their first female-led franchises (“Captain Marvel” and “Wonder Woman” respectively). DC’s “Aquaman” will star Jason Momoa and “The Flash” will star openly gay actor Ezra Miller. “Black Panther”, starring Chadwick Boseman, has also just been confirmed by Marvel. These movies are all landmarks as far as representation and diversity in sci-fi media goes and it’s gratifying to see the industry grow along with its audience.
So, thanks guys, for finally adapting your white male lead actor trope. Even if it will take another few years to actually see the change, I for one, am glad it’s happening.
Feature photo courtesy of: Marvel Blog
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