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Things We Saw Today: Tessa Thompson, J.J. Abrams and More Sign on for the 4% Challenge

Plus Wonder Woman, The Joker and more!

By Jan 27th, 2019, 6:00 pm
Tessa Thompson attends the 2018 MTV Movie And TV Awards at Barker Hangar on June 16, 2018 in Santa Monica, California.

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Change is in the air at the Sundance Film Festival, where a bold new pledge is quickly picking up steam. Dr. Stacy L. Smith from USC Annenberg’s Inclusion Initiative announced the 4% challenge, alongside TIME’S UP:

The 4% challenge was inspired by the dismal statistics that out of 1200 top earning films released between 2007-2018, only 4% were directed by women. Tessa Thompson was quick to take up the challenge, saying “Because only 4% of the top 100 studio films over the last DECADE have been directed by women, #TIMESUP is initiating a challenge, the 4% challenge, and I intend to take it: I commit to working with a female director in the next 18 months.” Thompson also tweeted, “I also committed to Doubling the number of women and POC journalist covering the films I have coming out this year. (One in April and in June). TimesUpx2.”

Soon other Hollywood luminaries joined the campaign, pledging to work with a female directors, including Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams:

Here’s hoping the future of filmmaking sees a major needle shift for women!

(via NBC, image: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for MTV)

  • Zazie Beetz says that the cast and director Todd Phillips were rewriting The Joker script while they were filming which … usually isn’t a sign of a great movie? (via SyfyWire)
  • Patty Jenkins hints that she’s over Wonder Woman period pieces, and would likely set the third film in present day. (via CBR)
  • Will Green Lantern make his way to the Arrowverse? Somebody get these guys a green ring. (via Blastr)
  • Here’s a great essay on the queer and trans resonance in Steven Universe. (via io9)

What are y’all up to this Sunday, Mary Suevians?

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Author
Chelsea Steiner
Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.
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