Entertainment

Does the idea of an African-American actress playing Wonder Woman make you uneasy? I know it does (as here, scroll down for comments) many traditionalists; i.e., those who would view negatively any deviation from the established image, a position that isn't altogether ungraspable. Wonder Woman, much like Superman, is a symbol of strength, only more vital than him, for women have had few such symbols. Any impulse to reinvent Wonder Woman should concern all who care about her, or Amazon feminism in general.

Yet I differ with my fellow traditionalists (and I do consider myself one). The essence of Wonder Woman is what must be preserved; the strength, the goodness, the majesty—these are the indispensable qualities; the rest, mere gloss without them.

It would, however, be foolish to say that her iconic image isn't important. Someone who captures both image and essence would be the logical, admittedly ideal choice (why I consider Jodi Lyn O'Keefe a good bet).

That said, there are undoubtedly black actresses capable of filling the role masterfully; and a tall, athletic black actress would make a much better Wonder Woman than a scrawny white one—and knowing Hollywood's track record, the latter is a very real possibility.

Not long ago I panned Beyoncé when she expressed desire to play Wonder Woman. But it wasn't her ethnicity that put me off; rather it was her foppish take on the role; exactly the sort of thing we don't need.

And still my mind is open. How about yours?

Wonder Woman (Olivia Munn) lends sage advice on keeping safe at work:

An utterance you might expect when a relatively unathletic actress is slated to play a superheroine, arguably the most common Hollywood casting blunder. This comes from Scarlett Johansson, who is trying to transform herself so she can play Black Widow in Iron Man II, and finding it not an easy thing.

I have tremendous respect for Johansson; she is, in my view, among the finest actors of her generation. But I also know there are women far better suited to play Black Widow. Her getting the role, then, is another unfortunate instance of athletic actresses being passed over for bad reasons.

In this case, however, I do side somewhat with Johansson. Her recent piece on Huffington Post does a good job making clear the inanity of tabloid journalism's obsession with body weight. Furthermore, her new, deeper appreciation for the importance of fitness rings true: "I've realized through this process that no matter how busy my life may be, I feel better when I take a little time to focus on staying active. We can all pledge to have healthy bodies no matter how diverse our lifestyles may be."

And what brought forth her wrath is, indeed, nothing but pure drivel (even worse, their response). It's easy to see why she is upset.

Much as I wish someone else were playing Black Widow, I find myself rooting for Johansson in her battle against tabloid imbecilities.

Fight Night (aka Rigged), which stars former taekwondo champion Rebecca Neuenswander, comes out on DVD today. You will find it at not only the usual outlets—Amazon, Best Buy, Netflix, etc.—but also the official website, where your purchase will most profit the people responsible for this delightful little film.

Not one to purchase many DVDs, I look forward to owning this one.

A live-action Wonder Woman movie may finally be on the way, though with so many false starts and ill-founded rumors in the past we shouldn't get too excited just yet. But if things are as they appear, soon it will be time to post a "Who should be Wonder Woman?" poll. I have already put forth a few suggestions—e.g., Jodi Lyn O'Keefe; of course, I'm not the only one to have noticed that she is uniquely suited for the part—but now it is time for your suggestions.

Have someone in mind to play the Amazon? Want her listed in the poll? Post a comment here, or send in your suggestion by email.