Hot off Hollywood entertainment news is Beyoncé’s bid to play the role of Wonder Woman in the upcoming Justice League of America movie.
She’s quoted in the UK Daily Mail as saying: “A black Wonder Woman would be a powerful thing,”
“It’s time for that, right? It would be great.”
The role was supposedly favoured to go to Hollywood unknown Megan Gale from Australia.
Now I know for sure that I want to see a woman of colour take the role of Wonder Woman, and like her or not, she’s kinda only been White all these years. I’ve always related somewhat to the notion of Wonder Woman, but that’s probably because of the strong women warrior stories and family members I grew up with, that I of course, never saw represented in any mainstream media.
I just don’t know if Beyoncé should be the one to do it. But then again, it’s not like this is an activist-y production focused on grassroots feminism.
What do you think? What has the image of Wonder Woman meant to you?
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eight comments
Linda Carter looks white. However, I wish I had known she is Latina. There, our image of Wonder Woman is Latina. That would have made a difference for me. I would love an African American Wonder Woman, but Beyonce would not be my first pick. Her image is too slutty. We have enough of that.
Posted by econv
November 11, 2008, 8:32 AM
#1/I heart Beyoncé, and I think she'd make a kick-ass Wonder Woman.
#2/ I think she's not so much slutty as powerful and sex positive, I know with urban music it's an incredibly fine line, but to call her image slutty does a disservice to her music which has some positive messages.
yep I like Beyoncé, she's no grass-roots feminist, but she's a strong lady with as she says "the Marilyn Monroe body."
Posted by Miriam
November 11, 2008, 9:03 AM
Calling anyone slutty does a disservice to women in general, no?
Posted by Stacey May
November 11, 2008, 9:54 AM
Agreed, Stacey May.
I think Beyoncé would make a fabulous Wonder Woman! I love Wonder Woman, I love Linda Carter, I love bracelets that deflect bullets and invisible planes and I want some for myself! I wish I could be Wonder Woman. However, Beyoncé will do in my stead. ;-)
Posted by stark
November 11, 2008, 10:19 AM
I WANNA PLAY WONDER WOMAN!!! Seriously!!!!!!
And though this is unrelated to the Beyoncé thing ...
I was recently watching a female comic book writer talk about the "real-world" impracticality of Wonder Women's look/outfit. First, that having long hair flowing about is going to be a pain in the ass (which is why Cat Woman now has short hair). Second, that if you were to be wearing a bustier and tried to turn and punch, you're boob would fly right out! - the comic book writer said she new from experience ... I laughed so hard when she demonstrated I almost peed myself!
Posted by D. Cole
November 11, 2008, 1:32 PM
I'm not a huge fan of Beyonce, but it would be great to see a non-white Wonder Woman. Kinda like Promethea! I'm also hoping the next Doctor Who will be non-white - Paterson Joseph is a hot tip there.
Posted by Thene
November 11, 2008, 1:44 PM
I think my issue with Beyonce is that she's just not that great an actor. I don't think she could really play Wonder Woman convincingly, but I admit she would look great in the uniform.
I am a Wonder Woman nerd, and what I would like to see is this:
1. A Wonder Woman that looks Greek (although this is really the most nitpicky of my wishes)
2. Lots of the action taking place amongst the Amazons.
3. Lesbians.
4. A plot that actually deals with violence against women, not just with Wonder Woman saving the world from some crappy Cold War era villain.
I would love it if Wonder Woman was a political movie, not just a remake of Halle Berry's Catwoman. The classic superheroines (and villains) of comics are so often created by oppression, and it would be nice if that was subject of the movie.
Posted by Michelle
November 11, 2008, 10:48 PM
I agree with Michelle's comment -- there is so much that could be said in a superhero/heroine movie. The stories are ripe with political and social points (oppression, exclusion, racism, sexism, pollution even!), it would be awesome to see this utilized in a positive way!
Posted by D. Cole
November 12, 2008, 3:04 PM
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