Comic-Con: There’s strong women, then there’s Sigourney Weaver
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The reverence was apparent from the moment the crowd gave Sigourney Weaver a standing ovation. In a panel called ‘Wonder Women: Female Icons in Pop Culture,’ Weaver is clearly in a class by herself.
The other women on the panel were no slouches, though. Star and producer of ‘Dollhouse’ Eliza Dushku, current double threat as Lt. Uhura in ‘Star Trek’ and with a new role in James Cameron’s ‘Avatar,’ Zoe Saldana, and Elizabeth Mitchell, who the Entertainment Weekly moderator called one of the most complicated women on television. All stars and strong female role models in their own right, but eclipsed by Weaver. And with lines like - ‘The second biggest bad--- after Clint Eastwood, but I think she could take him’ -- she endeared herself to the crowd and further cemented her standing.
Questions pertaining to casting women (today’s standards and roles), female representation on screen and character development were brought up. Dushku promised that ‘in the second season [of ‘Dollhouse’], we absolutely will have Echo gaining self-awareness.’
Saldana, after being asked to divulge everything she knew about a ‘Star Trek’ sequel, was very reverential about her role in ‘Star Trek.’
‘To be able to play a woman who inspires strength, a woman that my mother worked to be even, is nothing but a humbling experience.’
Mitchell’s character on ‘Lost’ changes sides so often that some wondered if she ever knew what was going on as an actress.
‘Liars are usually the best when they think they’re telling the truth.’
The women also voiced opinions on the use and abuse of sexuality and on Hollywoood’s minuscule role as social arbiter for change. Weaver advised one audience member who asked a question not to think of Hollywood as the template that tries to be socially responsible.
‘I think our society is changing much more quickly than Hollywood can,’ said Weaver.
‘Hollywood still goes crazy with what women are supposed to wear [in action roles],’ says Saldana. ‘Why can’t we jump from building to building in pants and not a miniskirt and hoochie boots?’
One question that was posed remained unanswered by any of the panelists, despite broad smiles when it was presented: If you could turn any male role into a female role, what would it be?
-- Jevon Phillips
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