Feminists are up in arms over an Amazon makeover in the new, male-directed film 鈥淛ustice League,鈥 which stripped the warrior women down to skimpier versions of the outfits they wore in the female-directed 鈥淲onder Woman.鈥
Directed by Patty Jenkins, 鈥淲onder Woman鈥 broke box office records while winning critical acclaim and inspiring a generation of young girls. It was also the first movie in the DC movie universe to show Wonder Woman鈥檚 homeland, Themiscyra, and its all-female population of Amazons.
Those Amazons, led by Robin Wright, were clad in practical leather armour that covered their midriffs, as well as most of their arms and legs. But those same Amazons appear in much skimpier, thigh- and midriff-baring versions of the armour in 鈥淛ustice League.鈥
The 鈥淲onder Woman鈥 costumes were designed by Lindy Hemming, whereas the 鈥淛ustice League鈥 ones were put together by male costume designer Michael Wilkinson. 鈥淛ustice League鈥 was also directed by Zack Snyder, with help from fellow male director Joss Whedon.
The obvious difference between female-directed and male-directed versions of the Amazons did not go unnoticed online, where writer Atte Timonen highlighted the change from one film to the next.
鈥淪ome steps backwards, methinks,鈥 Timonen wrote.
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.
鈥 Atte Timonen (@Rosgakori)
Some steps backwards, methinks.
Here's Brooke Ence for example. First from the left is from WW, the one in the middle is from JL-flashback and in the right from modern day-JL:
鈥 Atte Timonen (@Rosgakori)
So the change is still there.
The photo triggered a number of angry responses from women and men who were disappointed to see the Amazons鈥 sex appeal played up in the latter film.
Others came to the defence of 鈥淛ustice League,鈥 sharing photos of the Amazons from other moments of the film, in which they can be seen wearing more protective armour that covered their midriffs.
Here's Zack Snyder's Amazons in Justice League in present day. Do your research
鈥 Josh (@_VintageReality)
Secondly, here are two images of Amazons from both &
鈥 Morgan (@TheSpectress)
Which of these designs is problematic? Which design are you dismissing? Which one is Lindy Hemming's design?
This was how amazons look in the opening scene of Wonder Woman.
鈥 Bassim El-Wakil (@Bass_Wakil)
Extras wear bikinis. Major characters and actresses without abs wear armour.
Yay for toxic fan outrage.
(Frankly, I think they look bad in both.)
No. Have you seen the film? I锔 have. Snyder鈥檚 Amazon鈥檚 are from a flashback, 1000鈥檚 of years ago. He also has modern day Amazons wearing very similar armor to what they wore in Wonder Woman. Please. Do your research before soliciting articles like this.
鈥 Mike Kalinowski (@MikeKalinowski)
"Well, what about /these/ modern JL outfits??" You say. "You can't say /these/ are sexist!"
鈥 StephanieSuperclassyswagalisticextremelyferocious (@YouAndYourEgo)
Wow, skinny shinguards aside these are great! These are terrific! These are....not the only modern Amazon outfits.
Battle wear: metal armor/plate on top of leather, tied if not sewed on. Longer, much darker (dyed?) leather pteruges. Covered torso, top to bottom - no low necklines. Closed-toe boots are a must, no sandals here! Metal helmets or circlets, belts, bracers.
鈥 StephanieSuperclassyswagalisticextremelyferocious (@YouAndYourEgo)
Gal Gadot鈥檚 Wonder Woman costume does not appear to have been significantly changed from 鈥淲onder Woman鈥 or her first appearance in 鈥淏atman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.鈥
Amber Heard, who plays Aquaman鈥檚 love interest, Mera, in 鈥淛ustice League,鈥 has a full-body green costume in the film.
Saw this hydrokinetic vision come out of the sea and snapped a photo with my Leica.
鈥 Zack Snyder (@ZackSnyder)
