Additional Coverage:
- Jenna Ortega was asked if she’d play a female Edward Scissorhands. She said women should have their own characters, not just act in spinoffs. (newsbreak.com)
Jenna Ortega, known for her role in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” was recently questioned by an interviewer about the possibility of portraying a female version of the character Edward Scissorhands, a classic role directed by Tim Burton. Ortega has previously worked with Burton on Netflix’s “Wednesday” and the upcoming “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” set for release this Friday. During the interview, she expressed her desire for women to have original roles rather than just gender-flipped versions of existing characters.
“I really value the increase in female leads we’re seeing today; it’s truly important. However, I believe we should have our own unique characters, not just spin-offs of male-dominated roles,” Ortega stated, highlighting her preference for originality over adaptations like a hypothetical female ‘James Bond.’
Ortega further elaborated on the unique aspects of characters such as Edward from “Edward Scissorhands,” noting their timeless and mysterious qualities that lend themselves to creative storytelling without the need for specific temporal settings.
The conversation about gender-swapping roles in Hollywood isn’t new, as seen with films like the female-led “Ghostbusters” in 2016 and “Ocean’s 8” in 2018. Such reboots often ignite discussions about the portrayal of women in film and the balance between creating new roles and reimagining existing ones.
Further context is provided by the debate surrounding the James Bond series, especially after Lashana Lynch played a 007 agent in “No Time to Die,” prompting speculation about the future of the franchise and its leads.
Despite the ongoing discussions about potential sequels or reboots involving his works, Tim Burton has expressed reluctance about revisiting past projects like “Edward Scissorhands.” In a 2015 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Burton stated his preference for treating his films as unique, standalone creations rather than parts of larger series.
For further reading, you can check the original article on Business Insider.