All-Female Reboots: A Critical Assessment

From the discussion of female Doctor Who’s, to the possibility of a woman stepping into the role of womanizer James Bond; women taking over established ‘male’ roles is not an entirely new concept. With the Hollywood bandwagon in full succession, it looks like we can expect a new Oceans 8 film with an entirely female cast in the next few years. This is following the mixed reviews of the entirely female reboot of Ghostbusters. However, both of these new remakes are directed by men, one may sadly add.

Was it really that difficult to gain some kind of balance in the first place?

As a film buff, I am not at all opposed to all-female casts, as rare as they are, I would greet most with enthusiasm and optimism. I am however opposed to reboots; especially when the excuse for such a reboot is that it now has women in it. Was it really that difficult to gain some kind of balance in the first place? And was it honestly expected that any kind of reboot of such a classic would go down well? Unfortunately, remakes are not a new factor of the film industry at all, with Hollywood having rammed them down our throats the past few years. It does make one wonder about the thought process behind remaking, for instance, Ben Hur; with the original having the record for most Oscars won of all time, it seems a set-up for failure.

Is this a poor attempt of the film industry trying to establish equality, by showing women can only follow what men have previously achieved?

But remaking classic films with women is not only problematic in the remaking sense; it is also borderline insulting. Are all-women casts only worthy of remakes and sequels that have previously had male roles? Is this a poor attempt of the film industry trying to establish equality, by showing women can only follow what men have previously achieved? Women are proving themselves more and more as worthy of the typical ‘male’ lead role; with well received science fiction film Arrival being led by compelling actress Amy Adams, and Katniss Everdeen creating the most popular female led action franchise for decades.

We need to normalise women in cinema, both on and off screen, by writing original content with leading female roles and female casts. Trying to make a statement through remakes and sequels is counterproductive, and women are worth more than this. It is important that we move forwards through original and compelling lead roles, no matter how long it takes, in order to establish true equality in cinema.