As reported by Variety in May 2018, Emilia Clarke, in an interview at the Cannes Film Festival, as part of the Kering Women in Motion talks, said, “I’m very frustrated with this in particular because you don’t get ‘strong men,’ unless they’re, like, physically strong men. So unless I’m packing guns I don’t know about, let’s change [the question].” The Game of Thrones star playing Daenerys Targaryen also said, on being asked to play “strong” female characters generally, “Take the ‘strong’ out of it. Find another adjective, da**it. I’m just playing women. If it’s not strong, what is it? Are you telling me there’s another option, that there’s a weak option? You think a lead in a movie is going to be a w*ak woman?” In that same interview, she also revealed that she’s been paid the same as her male Game of Thrones co-stars since day one.
I agree with Emilia, as both men and women can be mentally strong and physically weak. Courage doesn’t come with physique; a prime example is the Grenade Scene from Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). Steve jumps on the grenade to save his fellow soldiers; another example is Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, a normal human without any special powers other than his suit, who sacrificed his life to defeat Thanos in Endgame. Every day, many ordinary people, not just firefighters, police officers, soldiers, miners, construction workers etc show sacrifice and bravery to save others. Many others go through more emotional trauma or hard times and don’t give up hope and still fight back.
On equal pay, she must be paid equally if she brings equal business to the film as male co-stars.
Salma Hayek suggests that male Hollywood actors should accept lower salaries. The article from which I am taking this reference is an old one that was first published at least 7 years ago on The Guardian, which is still relevant today, but why? Why is equal pay for equal business important and followed in a capitalist society? If women are bringing the same business, charging a lower price, then all offices will hire women only to increase their revenue. Similarly, there are many female-dominated jobs and industries. Why don’t women fight for equal pay or equal opportunity there? Like the A*ult industry, Beauty & cosmetics industry, Fashion & modeling industry, Influencer / social media industry, Wellness & yoga industry, Childcare & early education, Nursing & healthcare support roles, HR (Human Resources) industry, Event planning & wedding industry. If this is the case, then why should only females, even the lightmen, cameramen, or the spot assistant etc should be paid the same?
For instance, Natalie Portman has been termed a ‘hypocrite‘ as she, in public, raises her voice for women directors, but in reality, her own films are directed mostly by men.
Or Sophie Rain, earning more than a world-class footballer.
In another appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, she defended her not being a goldigger. “When I married him, everybody said, ‘Oh, it’s an arranged marriage, she married him for the money,’” “I’m like, ‘Yeah, whatever, b***h. Think what you want.’ Fifteen years together, and we are strong in love.”
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She went on to defend her husband, saying, “There is discrimination also against rich men. Immediately, you think because somebody’s rich, [they] might not be a good person. Might be somebody materialistic, might be somebody that doesn’t have values, might be somebody that is even stupid, or that doesn’t deserve it. That to have a lot of money, you did it the wrong way, there are all these preconceptions, and I heard them, by the way.”
Kirsten Dunst also called out the pay disparity between her and the lead actor of the Spiderman movie, Tobey Maguire, who played Spiderman
Another example is when Kirsten Dunst called out the pay disparity between her and the lead actor of the Spiderman movie, Tobey Maguire, who played Spiderman, lol, who got paid more than her. Sometimes it feels that women don’t want equality; they want everything. Her scream time was longer, though. It is purely logical that the person who plays Spider-Man should receive the most pay. Dunst made $7 million for Spider-Man 2 and $10 million for Spider-Man 3. On the other hand, Tobey got $17 million and back-end pay for Spider-Man 2 + 3.
“I definitely grew up in a time of major pay disparity between the lead actor and myself. Even though I had been in Bring It On and he hadn’t … I had more success in my box office than he did. I was 17, I was still learning, at that age I’m still learning my taste in film, I didn’t even think to ask. I didn’t even know there was a place to challenge it. That’s how it is at 17.” Dunst said in an interview with the BBC. Dunst played the role opposite Tobey Maguire in the Sam Raimi-directed Spider-Man when she was just 17.
She commented on that issue in the past, in an old Independent interview, she said, “The pay disparity between me and Spider-Man was very extreme. I didn’t even think about it. I was just like, ‘Oh yeah, Tobey [Maguire] is playing Spider-Man.’ But you know who was on the cover of the second Spider-Man poster? … Spider-Man and ME.”
I am Vivek Singh owner and publisher of newsofx.com. I am a journalist by profession. I did my Bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University Jharkhand and my Master’s in the same from Central University of Jharkhand grabbing the gold medal.
I am a Men’s Rights Activist, International Men’s Day and World Day of the Boy Child India coordinator, and Global Media coordinator for both of these days.
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