Jessica Chastain is not happy with how “Justice League” changed the Amazon warriors’ outfits
Some celebs remain silent on social issues, but Jessica Chastain is not one of those people. The actress has never backed down from confronting matters that range from the lack of diversity on TV, to the importance of having female directors and execs on set, to the depiction of women in movies. This time around, Jessica is taking aim at Justice League. The DC movie, which has so far received mixed reviews, is being released this Friday, and the actress took to Twitter to express a major, glaring issue.
Is it the plot? Nope, that’s not it. Is it possible problematic language in the film? No, not that we know of. Instead, it’s all about the costumes the Amazon warriors wear in the male-directed Justice League versus the blockbuster Wonder Woman helmed by Patty Jenkins.
There’s a clear disparity in the costuming. The Patty Jenkins version included breast plates, knee guards, and badass wrist gear. Contrast that with the Zack Snyder Amazons, who have exposed abs and seemingly no armor. Not exactly ideal for war.
Here is a fantastic example of the difference between the male and female gaze.
Patty Jenkins' Amazon warriors on the left. Zack Snyder's on the right. pic.twitter.com/fRDkV8dFLe— Melissa Silverstein (@melsil) November 12, 2017
Jessica weighed in on the visual difference.
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/930467052602757120
One person pointed out that it’s not simply the difference in directors, but the gender of the costume designers as well.
In case you wonder: Here's a picture of how the Amazons looked in Wonder Woman…next to pic how they look in Justice League. First designed by Lindy Hemming, second by Michael Wilkinson.
Some steps backwards, methinks. pic.twitter.com/IVqeX7PBso
— Aasa T, Master of Arts (@Rosgakori) November 12, 2017
This seems like another example showcasing the danger of lacking diversity on set.
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/930098876203323392
While the initial photo immediately raised eyebrows and the ire of Twitter, some tried to stave the criticism about the over-sexualization of the Amazons.
One only needs to think back to the Spartans in 300 (also directed by Justice League’s Snyder). Those dudes practically wore Speedos during hand-to-hand combat. Also, it’s noted that the Wonder Woman Amazons and those in Justice League are from different time periods, which may account for the change in garb.
Since the costume controversy started, a few of the women who play the Amazons have come out in defense of their ensembles.
Samantha Jo is a professional martial artist and plays Euboea in both Wonder Woman and Justice League. She had nothing but praise for the new costuming and even said she appreciated that it allowed her greater mobility for fight scenes.
"I think it's important to remember that the fighting style of the Amazons is quite different than that of a Knight, a Samurai, a Kryptonian, etc. We've been able to see that the Amazonian fighting is a little more acrobatic and larger than life requiring armor that allows for that kind of articulation in the body."
And fellow Amazonian (and real life CrossFit champ) Brooke Ence expressed her approval. She told USA Today that not every woman wore a two-piece and “the girls on set, we never thought of (the new costumes) as a sexy version. It felt a little more glamorous, if anything, because we had bigger, beautiful hair, which I loved.”
Hmm, case of empowerment? Depends on your lens.