Actress Ana de Armas believes it’s time for women to carve out their own space in the action genre, rather than merely stepping into roles traditionally held by men. Speaking at CinemaCon to promote her role in the upcoming John Wick spinoff, Ballerina, de Armas rejected the notion of simply reimagining male heroes with female counterparts, advocating instead for original, female-led action films.
When asked about the trend of re-casting classic male roles with female leads, de Armas responded candidly, saying, “Let James be James and John Wick be John Wick. We’ll do our thing.” She emphasized that when women are given the opportunity to fight and take center stage in action films, the results can be surprising. Her remarks reflect a growing sentiment among actresses and filmmakers who are pushing for more nuanced, complex portrayals of women, rather than writing a man to be played by a woman.
De Armas, who previously portrayed a Bond girl in No Time to Die, also touched on the future of the James Bond franchise in light of recent changes, such as Amazon’s acquisition of MGM and its control over the creative direction of the series. “I’m sure that Barbara Broccoli and Robert Wilson made the best decision for James Bond. Whatever happens, that can go anywhere [creatively],” she noted, leaving the door open to new possibilities for the iconic character.
This desire for authentic, original female action roles echoes the sentiments of other Hollywood stars who are increasingly rejecting reductive tropes associated with female characters in the action genre. Actress Emily Blunt, for example, expressed her frustration with the “strong woman” trope, which has become a mainstay in many action films. Speaking to The Guardian in 2022, Blunt revealed that she had grown “bored” of reading scripts that label female leads as “strong,” calling such roles unimaginative and often characterized by stoicism and tough dialogue. “It’s the worst thing ever when you open a script and read the words ‘strong female lead,’” Blunt remarked, insisting on a the lack of depth in these roles.
Similarly, She-Hulk star Tatiana Maslany has criticized the “strong woman” trope, calling it “frustrating” and “reductive.” She argued that the term forces women into a box that doesn’t allow for the complexity or range of their characters. “It’s as if we’re supposed to be grateful that we get to be that,” Maslany said, questioning why female characters should be limited to a narrow, one-dimensional portrayal of strength.
The backlash against these tropes has also been voiced by Academy Award-winning actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson, who has criticized the trend of making female characters behave like men. On a CultureBlast podcast in 2020, Thompson pointed out that simply giving women guns and labeling them “badass” is not enough. Instead, she argued, the industry needs to embrace the unique qualities of femininity and find heroism in them.
She argued that filmmakers should explore how women’s experiences—such as motherhood—can be depicted as heroic in their own right. “How do we make it heroic?” she asked, challenging the industry to create stories that show the full complexity of female characters.
One of the most iconic examples of a female-led action film that avoids the simplistic “strong woman” trope is Kill Bill, directed by Quentin Tarantino and starring Uma Thurman. In the role of Beatrix Kiddo, also known as The Bride, Thurman portrays a complex character whose quest for vengeance is deeply rooted in her love for her daughter. Kill Bill is not just about physical combat, but about a mother’s emotional journey, driven by a profound sense of loss. Unlike many action heroines, Beatrix is not merely a stoic figure of strength; she is also vulnerable and passionate, adding emotional range to her violent mission. Kill Bill stands as a prime example of how female action heroes can be multifaceted, allowing for the exploration of complex emotional motives such as motherhood, while still delivering thrilling action sequences.
These actresses’ sentiments about the limitations of the “strong woman” trope seem to resonate with many audiences, as several high-profile action films featuring the archetype struggled at the box office. Films like Ocean’s 8, The Ghostbusters Reboot (2016), and Charlie’s Angels (2019), serve as prime examples. While Charlie’s Angels wasn’t gender swapped, it leaned heavily into the “strong woman” trope and was criticized for lacking the fun or feminine charm of the original. This trend underscores the need for female-led action films that embrace the richness of women’s experiences, rather than attempting to force them into a mold that doesn’t reflect their individuality or humanity. The box office outcomes of these films suggest that audiences are craving something more meaningful.
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