The film “Wonder Woman” has received praise from all corners of the world — including Hollywood directors, critics, and moviegoers — when it was released earlier this summer.
But that doesn’t seem to be enough to keep one Hollywood big wig from poo-pooing the hit film’s success.
The “Titanic” and “Avatar” director James Cameron said Thursday the success of “Wonder Woman” is “misguided” and also called her “an objectified icon.”
Read More: The Adorable Reaction of a Young Girl Meeting ‘Wonder Woman’ Gal Gadot
“All of the self-congratulatory back-patting Hollywood’s been doing over Wonder Woman has been so misguided,” he said in an interview with The Guardian. “She’s an objectified icon, and it’s just male Hollywood doing the same old thing! I’m not saying I didn’t like the movie but, to me, it’s a step backwards.”
The internet, to say the least, was not happy with his remarks. The Daily Beast called his remarks “foolish” and “slander.” Washington Post called his comments “tiresomely wrong.” Twitter users instantly jumped on his less-than-stellar track record with women in Hollywood.
And Patty Jenkins, the director of “Wonder Woman” clapped back and defended the character and the film with a statement on Twitter.
— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) August 25, 2017
“James Cameron’s inability to understand what ‘Wonder Woman’ is, or stands for, to women all over the world is unsurprising as, though he is a great filmmaker, he is not a woman. Strong women are great,” she wrote.
Read More: ‘Wonder Woman’ Slays at the Box Office, as Women Do
“If women have to always be hard, tough, and troubled to be strong, and we aren’t free to be multidimensional or celebrate an icon of women everywhere because she is attractive and loving, then we haven’t come very far, have we,” she continued.
“I believe women can and should be EVERYTHING just like male leader characters should be. There is no right and wrong kind of powerful woman. And the massive female audience who made the film a hit it is can surely choose and judge their own icons of progress.”
Global Citizen campaigns on gender equality and the empowerment of women, two values “Wonder Woman” exalts. You can take action here.