Sexism in Hollywood casting is a problem for both movies and television. Men don’t have an expiration date as they age, but women do. Actresses are frustrated that there are significantly fewer roles as they approach 40 and beyond. However, men are cast at older ages, some into their 70’s. Men are also more likely to play a recurring character for longer. Not to mention that men make more money than their female costars for similar roles.
Casting For Men
Harrison Ford, now 73 years old, played Indiana Jones from 39 to 66. Sylvester Stallone was Rambo from the ages of 36 to 62. Additionally, Arnold Schwarzenegger was the Terminator from age 37 to 68. Fans of the three series had the same actors playing their beloved characters for nearly 30 years.
This trend in casting sexism is still in effect. For example, Liam Neeson is still the badass dad from the Taken franchise, and an actor in high demand at age 62. Men are still being given leading roles when women half their age are considered too old.
Casting For Women
Being attractive certainly helps as an actor. But our beauty standards are especially high for women. We consider men attractive enough for leading roles far later in their lives than we do women. Women are constantly told they expire before they even turn 40.
For example, Maggie Gylenhall who isn’t even 40 years old yet is already experiencing problems with obtaining leading roles. She said:
“I’m 37, and I was told recently I was too old to play the lover of a man who was 55.”
Insisting on large age differences between actors and actresses isn’t equality. A 55-year-old women should still be considered as a partner to a 55-year-old man. That is more realistic and relatable to more viewers, and encourages a healthier standard of beauty for women.
From 1995 to 2001 Lucy Lawless acted as Xena on Xena: Warrior Princess. Now there is talk of a Xena remake coming in 2016. Lucy Lawless is still a talented and gorgeous woman at age 47, but Lawless will not play her original role. Similarly at age 44, Renee O’Connor will likely not assume her role as Gabrielle, Xena’s sidekick. Like many actresses in their 40’s, these women were considered too old and were overlooked for the roles.
Aging shouldn’t make these women irrelevant. Casting only young women perpetuates the attitude that women are not beautiful past 40 years old. Casting sexism tells women that they must be young, skinny, and have stereotypical beauty to have worth.
Fans And Casting Sexism
This casting sexism hurts actresses and fans alike. Casting sexism encourages women to feel ashamed about their age. It also gives women an unrealistic sense of beauty, telling all audiences that women are important only for their looks and youth. These actresses’ fans won’t have the Xena and Gabrielle as they originally knew them, unlike fans of The Terminator, Indiana Jones, and Rambo.
The excitement over the remake of Xena: Warrior Princess is palpable among fans. However, these fans will miss out on their beloved actresses for no good reason. It is possible that whoever replaces Lucy Lawless and Renee O’Connor may do a great job, but did they really need replacing in the first place?
Featured image is a screencap from Instagram.
