by Scarlett Johansson
As an actress who has played a superhero on the big screen, I have some thoughts on the subject of superpowers. It’s no secret that male superheroes often get all the best powers, leaving female heroes with second-rate abilities like enhanced agility or empathy. Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s time for a change.
Let’s start with the most obvious example: Superman. He’s got super strength, flight, heat vision, and freeze breath. What do female superheroes get? Maybe the ability to turn invisible or control the weather. Seriously, it’s like the writers think women can only handle one or two powers at most.
Then there’s Batman, who doesn’t even have powers, but still manages to be one of the coolest superheroes around. Sure, he’s rich and has access to all sorts of gadgets, but that’s just not the same as being able to shoot lasers out of your eyes or control time. And don’t even get me started on Iron Man. He’s got a suit that can do practically anything, while female heroes are stuck with basic weapons like swords or guns.
I know what some of you might be thinking: “But Scarlett, what about characters like Captain Marvel or Wonder Woman? They have some pretty awesome powers!” And sure, they do. But even they are overshadowed by male heroes with similar abilities. Superman can fly faster than the speed of light, while Captain Marvel is limited to just being able to travel at superhuman speeds. Wonder Woman has super strength and agility, but it’s not quite on the same level as characters like Thor or the Hulk.
It’s not just the powers themselves, either. Male superheroes are also given more complex and interesting storylines. They get to struggle with their inner demons, deal with complex moral dilemmas, and form deep emotional connections with other characters. Meanwhile, female heroes are often reduced to one-dimensional stereotypes, like the “sexy assassin” or the “spunky sidekick.”
So what’s the solution? It’s simple, really. We need more female writers and directors in the superhero genre. We need to create more female characters with unique and interesting powers, and give them storylines that are just as compelling as those of their male counterparts. And most importantly, we need to stop assuming that women can’t handle the same level of power and complexity as men.
In the meantime, I’ll just have to settle for playing Black Widow, the token female Avenger who doesn’t even have any superpowers to speak of. But who needs powers when you’ve got a leather catsuit, right?
