We live in an era defined by franchises, but representation continues to be an issue. Female leads are still not the most common sight in Hollywood these days, but they've slowly become more prominent in recent years. This makes it all the more interesting that actor Theo James has starred in two separate franchises led by female protagonists. It's an interesting position to be in as an actor, and James doesn't seem to mind it at all. He explained:
It's very easy, very good. We're in a world where there's lots of great female-led movies and TV series, so it's great.
While speaking with Comicbook.com about the upcoming release of his new film, Underworld: Blood Wars, Theo James opened up regarding his involvement in multiple female-led film franchises. With prominent roles in the Underworld franchise as well as the Divergent series, James explained that he very much enjoys the process of working alongside talented actresses in female-led films. The blockbuster genre has grown to include far more female-driven movies than ever before, and James appears incredibly pleased with the transition.
Of course, it probably helps that Theo James gets to work alongside some incredibly talented women. Kate Beckinsale and Shailene Woodley respectively headline the Underworld and Divergent series, so there's very clearly no dearth of acting chops in these films. It's likely easy for one to play second fiddle when tasked with the duties of working with such skilled female performers.
Female representation in major blockbuster franchises has become a fairly prominent topic in Hollywood in recent years. Although the action genre has thrived lately, we've only just begun to truly see women take center stage in major blockbusters. The Star Wars franchise has switched things up by focusing on Daisy Ridley's Rey and Felicity Jones' Jyn Erso, and the superhero genre will soon break new ground with Wonder Woman -- the first major female drive superhero movie. Diversity keeps things fresh and fair, and we're thrilled to see new woman-centric franchises become the norm. There's obviously still a long way to go before things are completely equal, but progress is progress.
Check out the video of Theo James' comments below.
With new female-oriented franchises becoming more and more mainstream with each passing year, we look forward to what the future holds. Make sure to catch Theo James in Underworld: Blood Wars, which will hit theaters on January 6. 2017. Stay tuned for more details!
