Black went on to make it clear that the decision didn’t come from the higher ups at Marvel Studios, but was instead a corporate decision made by people that have nothing to do with making the movies. But that’s not the point. The story and trajectory of an entire movie had to be changed, because of a toy. This is ridiculous in a thousand small ways, but there are a few really big ones that stand out. Do we all remember Aldrich Killian?
If there’s one thing children look for in their toys, it’s well tailored menswear. He literally fights the last battle of the movie in khakis and loafers. That’s the guy that they were so desperate to have a toy of? The one who looks like he’s on his way to a country club? There’s also the larger issue that the people who make this stuff are assuming first, that only boys are going to be wanting the toys from a comic book movie, and secondly that it would be a crazy notion that boys would ever play with a female character toy. Neither of those are true.
Thankfully, it looks like Marvel is finally going to have a female villain in a movie despite any pushback they may have gotten from the toy people. There are a few things that are unconfirmed at this point, but we may even get two. It’s kind of sad that the fact that half of the human population may finally be represented in this regard is exciting, considering how many movies Marvel has made so far. Personally I’d love it if these characters became so beloved that everyone wants their action figures, so let’s try and start that movement by getting as pumped as humanly possible as early as we can.
Cate Blanchett as Hela in Thor: Ragnarok
When Cate Blanchett was announced for this movie I was thrilled simply because it’s her. Has she ever been anything less than amazing in any project she’s ever done? She’ll be playing Hela, the Goddess of Death. Mark Ruffalo, who will reprise his role as Bruce Banner/Hulk in Ragnarok describes her role as “…the worst of the worst. So evil.” If her turn as a villain in Cinderella is any indication, she’s going to crush it. I hope this is what she looks like in the movie. I don’t now whose skull that is, but this is awesome.
Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha/Kismet in Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2
Not that I don’t love Cate Blanchett, but this is the one I’m really excited about because Elizabeth Debicki is one of my new favorite actresses. She was most recently in The Night Manager with Tom Hiddleston (someone we may have talked about once or twice on TN). I first saw her in The Man From U.N.C.L.E., a movie that I have a not so secret obsession with. She was a phenomenal villain, so much so that there’s a part of you that wants her to win. Victoria Vinciguerra is smart, capable, and a worthy adversary.
The role Debicki will play in the Guardians of the Galaxy sequel is still unconfirmed at this point, but the word is that she’ll be a character named Ayesha, also known as Kismet. As someone unfamiliar with the comics, I don’t know anything about her. Sometimes the movies decide to take characters in a different direction anyway. I’m honestly not that concerned about the specifics at this point, I just want both of these villains to be as badass as possible.
After doing image searches, my one wish that their costumes are going to be a bit less icky than they appear in the comics. Come on, seriously?
I’m going to stay positive for the time being and keep my hopes high. And when the Hela and Kismet merchandise hits the shelves, I’m buying five of everything.
