Recently, the release of the new Avengers movie added fuel to the fire of that age-old conversation about female superheroes. Or rather, the lacktherof. Yes, Avengers: Age of Ultron features a handful of powerful women, but it also seems to reduce its one female Avenger (at the time), Black Widow, from a strong-willed and independent assassin to a femme fatal with a distracting crush on Hulk and some of the worst dialogue the franchise has featured. Some argue it's progressive/humanizing to give Natasha Romanoff an emotional storyline, but others feel she is simply digressing into stereotypical roles we thought we were getting away from in these sorts franchise films. In fact, it would be amusing if it weren't so disappointing just how realistic SNL's Black Widow stand-alone parody suddenly seems. But no matter how you might feel about the Black Widow/Avengers debacle, no one can deny the glaring weirdness of Natasha being left out of Avengers toy sets, especially when she played a key part in the scenes being replicated. To make matters worse, the Sony email leak recently revealed Marvel and Sony CEOs Ike Perlmutter and Michael Lynton respectively talking pretty shocking smack about female superheroes in an exchange titled "Female Movies" (...and yet Spider-Man is allowed several chances at a franchise without anyone pointing out that his male-ness might be the problem). Yes, it looks like we've got trouble, my friends. Trouble right here in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
(RELATED: Supergirl First Look Trailer Is as Badass As She Is)
However, while it's easy to fume over the antiquated ideals that Marvel defaults to, there is plenty going on for female superheroes. Sure, we still can't get one Black Widow one stand-alone film amongst the hundreds of Iron Man/Captain America/Hulk/Spider-Man/Antman/Avengers things happening left and right for the rest of eternity (literally, the next Avengers film is called Infinity and it's in two parts), but there is plenty to anticipate and tons of ladies about to kickass all over the superhero scene. Marvel's even got some great stuff coming up, so maybe things aren't as bad as that wretched "Female Movies" email seems to imply. In fact, they look pretty damn good. So chin up, superfans, and get ready to look forward to a great (or at least existent) future of leading superladies.
1. Thor's female identity is revealed
Those familiar with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU for short from now on) are pretty used to seeing Chris Hemsworth in Thor gear, but those reading the Thor comics just got a splendid surprise. The hammer-worthy Asguardian Thunder God got a pretty substantial comic book reboot in October as a woman, although her identity remained a mystery for the first several issues. This Wednesday, her identity was revealed as none other than Thor's love interest Dr. Jane Foster, who has also been battling breast cancer. MCU-familair folks will remember Jane as Natalie Portman and are also probably wishing there will be a Marvel Comics/MCU crossover of this plot line in the near future. Three cheers for Marvel Comics and this incredibly intense and unique development. The cinematic universe could learn a thing or two!
2. Supergirl Comes to CBS
It's truly happening! Arrow and The Flash executive producer Greg Berlanti must have heard our pleas for an equally awesome show featuring a female superlead because he and DC Comics will soon be bringing Supergirl to our TV screens. Former Glee cast member Melissa Benoist will be starring as Kara Zor-El, Superman's cousin who's been hiding her abilities but finally decides to embrace her powers. The wait won't be too long either; CBS announced its upcoming lineup this Wednesday and as of this November Supergirl will be taking over the Monday at 8pm/ET hour usually set aside for comedies. Supergirl will also be battling FOX's Gotham in this time slot, but we're hoping she can stick it out long enough to soar.
3. AKA Jessica Jones joins "The Defenders" on Netflix
Netflix really knows what's up. Following Daredevil's massive success, Netflix announced it would be releasing three other new supershows leading up to an epic mashup series called "The Defenders." Next on the list will be AKA Jessica Jones, which Netflix describes as follows: "Working as a private investigator in New York's Hell's Kitchen, a troubled ex-superhero's past comes back to haunt her in the live-action series, Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones." We don't know too much more, except Krysten Ritter (the superb star of the short-lived and under appreciated sitcom Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, and guest star on the much longer-lived and lauded Breaking Bad) will be playing Jessica. Doctor Who fan favorite David Tennant will also be co-starring, and even though there's no official release date, you already can - and should - save it to your Netflix list.
4. Gal Gadot and the Cinematic Wonder Woman Experience.
Fast & Furious actress Gal Gadot will be getting to know Wonder Woman pretty intimately for the next few years. First, we'll be catching Gal's portrayal of famous Amazonian Diana Prince in Batman vs. Superman on May 6, 2016. Because DC Comics knows our deepest heart's desires, there's also a Wonder Woman solo film planned for 2017 and directed by Patty Jenkins (Monster). And again, because DC just wants us to experience happiness in our lives Gal's Wonder Woman will also featured in a 2017 Justice League film, with the potential to reappear in the second part in 2019 as well. That's three years and four films of glorious Gal action, which is almost too good to be true. But it is, because DC is totally on it.
5. All-female Avengers team, the A-Force, is a-go.
Earlier this year we briefed you on the A-Force, Marvel's first all-female Avengers team that rises to power after the former Avengers have broken up. The A-Force is yet another great example of the great strides Marvel Comics is taking while the cinematic universe lags behind (but still manages to make around 20 male-lead superhero films). Now, this is a poster we'd like to see in a movie theater one day. And, uh, that's totally a Hulk we could accept Black Widow running off with. Just saying.
6. Agent Carter is renewed for a second season: Fans of ABC's Agent Carter - which follows Captain America's former flame Peggy Carter on her secret agent adventures following his disappearance - were thrilled to stop crossing their fingers when it was announced the on-the-fence show would be back for a second season. Agent Carter is a fun remedy for people who immediately crave more female representation from franchise films like the Avengers, and as per usual, Hayley Atwell makes a stellar star.
7. DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. partner with Mattel to create line of superhero toys for girls.
Yes, we long to live in a world where toys aren't gendered at all, but for now we'll accept a world where girls are welcomed into the superhero universe with open (Lego) arms. DC's Super Hero Girls collection will be geared at girls ages 6 - 12 and will focus on teen versions of superheroes and supervillains like Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl, Harley Quinn, Bumble Bee, Katana, and Poison Ivy. Sure, this isn't a flaw-free design, but the effort is there and we hope it continues to grow and improve in the future. Keep an eye out for these superkiddos as of fall of 2015!
8. Captain Marvel is probably getting a movie!
The Captain Marvel movie - based on the Marvel Comic story of alien/human hybrid US Air Force member Carol Danvers - is in the super early stages, but regardless we have the highest of hopes. In fact, the stage is so early that essentially the only news we have on it is that it probably will happen in 2018, and thewrap.com reported ever so tentatively on Tuesday that Selma director Ava DuVernay has or will be approached to direct. Usually such uncertain news is hardly newsworthy, but if Ava did direct one of the MCU films, she'd be the first woman to do so, and also the first African-American. So, um, like we said Marvel, we have the highest of hopes. Please make this a reality.
9. The Canary will actually never die.
CW really can't get enough superheroes. While ABC dropped its Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spin-off, CW and DC are going for yet another Arrow/The Flash spin-off show with Legends of Tomorrow, which stars Brandon Routh's character The Atom who was introduced on Arrow this season. 'Why, oh why must this star another male lead?' you may still be pleading at Greg Berlanti from your windowsill, but then you're sure to get distracted by Caity Lotz showing up on the cast list. Caity Lotz plays the oft-revived Sara Lance/The Canary (who is bisexual, remember) on Arrow, but last we checked she was quite dead, thus making it hard to star on a TV show. However, according to dccomics.com, some time travel may be involved to get her heart beating again. Does this mean there's a chance she'll get back with Nyssa Al Ghul, who was recently forced married to Oliver on Arrow? Only time (travel) will tell...
10. Kate Mara as Sue Storm in Fantastic Four.
Much like Spider-Man, Fantastic Four is another lukewarm superhero franchise attempting another go entirely. This reboot features Kate Mara as Sue Storm - the role formerly played by Jessica Alba - and while we appreciated Jessica's portrayal, we're pretty psyched for Kate's take. Of course, this isn't a stellar example of female representation in a superhero franchise since the other three Fantastic Four members are male and Sue's power is invisibility so we can't even see her half the damn time. There is also the arguement they're just adhering to source material, so any issues we take up about this are somewhat invalid. But hey, look at Dr. Jane Thor. Times can change.
