Marvel’s Ant-Man director took some time out Saturday to take a jab at haters who had negative comments regarding the Wonder Woman women-only screenings.
The Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas announced they would be hosting two special showings of Wonder Women to all-female audiences on Tuesday, June 6. The Alamo’s website was more than straightforward in their announcement of the screenings.
“Apologies, gentlemen, but we’re embracing our girl power and saying ‘No Guys Allowed’ for one special night at the Alamo Ritz. And when we say ‘People Who Identify As Women Only,’ we mean it. Everyone working at this screening — venue staff, projectionist, and culinary team — will be female.”
An event that was quickly championed by women, was soon bashed by men as being “sexist.” The Alamo’s Facebook page became a bridge to host all kinds of internet trolls as men left comments bashing the screenings. The Alamo clapped back and defended its decision to a commenter who alluded that a “mens only” screening wouldn’t have been tolerated and that “equality” was selective.
“This has zip to do with equality. This is a celebration of a character that’s meant a great deal to many women since 1940.”
The cinema also joked it had previously hosted a male-only screening in the past.
“We’ve never done showings where you had to be a man to get in, but we *did* show the Entourage movie a few years ago and ‘thanks for the money!’ VICTORY!”
It only took a few hours before a major superhero movie director took notice and decided to take a subtle jab at haters. Ant-Man director Peyton Reed decided to host his own special screenings for 2018’s upcoming Ant-Man and the Wasp .
Just wait until I announce the insect-only screenings of ANT-MAN AND THE WASP. https://t.co/DPLuRWemYt
— Peyton Reed (@MrPeytonReed) May 27, 2017
Reed’s “insect-only” screening announcement instantly created a lot of buzz on Twitter. Fans responded to the director’s comment with sarcasm and humor, supporting the women-only and insect-only showings.
I’d love to be a (wait for it…) FLY on the wall for that one!!! ???
— Geek To Me Radio (@GeekToMeRadio) May 27, 2017
Reed not only lightened the Wonder Woman situation, but also reminded fans of the Ant-Man reboot which is just over a year away. Paul Rudd will return as Scott Lang alongside Evangeline Lilly ( The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug ) as The Wasp. The first Ant-Man surprised skeptic fans and critics with stellar ratings despite a mediocre run in the box office.
Women weren’t the only ones who enjoyed Reed’s post. It was yet another moment where the DC and Marvel Cinematic Universe’s supported one another to superhero fans enjoyment. Even though there is some division in the superhero film industry, there has been an undoubted camaraderie between DC and Marvel production companies.
The Alamo Drafthouse has stuck to its guns and will still be hosting its showings next Tuesday. Women (and men) are sure to love Wonder Woman as Screen Rant reported early screenings for the movie have had a tremendous amount of positive feedback.
The first female superhero movie ever made is receiving the most positive reviews ever for the DC media franchise, with some calling it “the best DCEU film so far.”
#WonderWoman is the best DCEU film so far. The heart of Gal Gadot’s Diana powers it, and the shift from mythic into WWI story really works.
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) May 19, 2017
Wonder Woman stars Gal Gadot as Diana, alongside Robin Wright, David Thewlis and Chris Pine. It’s directed by acclaimed filmmaker Patty Jenkins ( Monster ) and is only the second superhero movie solely directed by a woman. Jenkins’ film comes nine years after Lexi Alexander’s Punisher: War Zone in 2008.
Female directors are steadily on the rise in the superhero film industry with Gina Prince-Bythewood ( Love & Basketball ) slated to direct Marvel’s upcoming Silver & Black . The Sony film will follow 2018’s Venom release starring Tom Hardy. Silver & Black is based off female characters Silver Sable and Black Cat and will be Marvel’s second female led superhero film after Captain Marvel .
Wonder Woman hits theaters Friday, June 2.
[Featured Image by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images]
