Simon Pegg Vs. Hollywood: 'There Aren't Enough Female Voices In Film' | HuffPost Life

Simon Says: 'There Aren't Enough Female Voices In Film'

Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK

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It's no secret that gender equality in Hollywood is about as equal as a set of weighing scales holding a feather and a brick.

And now, Simon Pegg - our new favourite male feminist - has revealed that this needs to change.

In an interview with BuzzFeed, Pegg revealed: "I personally don’t feel there are enough female voices in film. I hope that the recognition of the lack of well-written female characters will be followed by change."

The Hot Fuzz actor added that the crux of this issue is often because film genres are split into gendered categories. For example, romantic comedies are misunderstood as being for women.

"Romantic comedies are about the dynamic between men and women – or men and men or women and women, depending on what the movie is about," Pegg explained. "To say ‘oh I don’t want to go and see that because it’s a girl's film’ is shutting yourself off from some big laughs."

In his new film, a romantic comedy called 'Man Up', Pegg describes the female lead as "honest and true".

He adds that Lake Bell's character, Nancy, is a refreshing change from the usual "unattainable manic-pixie" rom-com characters which he says are "some male fantasy of what a woman is or should be".

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Pegg isn't the only one to voice his opinions on the lack of diversity in the film industry - particularly when it comes to women.

Helen Mirren recently shared her concerns on the shortage of female directors in Hollywood, while Carey Mulligan revealed her frustration over the distinct lack of interesting roles for women.

In addition to this, last year the 2014 Hollywood Diversity Report suggested that the industry is dominated by white men, with women and minorities dramatically underrepresented both on and off screen.

Story continues below...

Women in Film: Where Are They?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo(01 of15)

Budget: $90 million. Box Office: $232 million.Rooney Mara’s portrayal of rebellious computer hacker Lisbeth Salander took audiences for a ride in “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” Based on a Swedish novel by Stieg Larsson, the film revolves around Lisbeth who steals the show as a truly unique anti-hero with a decided edge. (credit:AP)

Thelma & Louise(02 of15)

Budget: 16.5 million. Box Office: $45 million.Audiences loved Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon in the title roles of this classic film that portrayed two lost souls bonding together in the ultimate show of independence and freedom. "Thelma & Louise" has even become part of the lexicon as a reference for strength and sisterhood. (And let's not forget that a young hunk made his debut in this film -- Brad Pitt!) (credit:Getty Images)

Erin Brockovich(03 of15)

Budget: $51 million. Box Office: $256 million.Based on a true story, Erin Brockovich (played by Julia Roberts) tells the story of an unemployed single mother of three who morphs into a star attorney throughout the course of the film. As she takes on power giant PG&E, Erin’s relentless investigative work pays off – showing us all how the determination and strength of one woman can make a world of difference. (credit:Getty Images)

Juno(04 of15)

Budget: $7 million. Box Office: $231 million Sixteen-year-old Juno (Ellen Page) grapples with an unplanned pregnancy while navigating the usual adolescent landscape of love and relationships in this offbeat indie flick which was a surprise hit with audiences. Despite her youth, Juno ultimately takes charge of her situation, displaying wisdom beyond her years. (credit:IMDB.com)

Kill Bill(05 of15)

Budget: $55 million. Box Office: $180 million.Uma Thurman kicked ass on a whole new level in this quirky revenge flick by Quentin Tarantino. Robbed of a peaceful life by her former lover and ex-boss Bill, "The Bride" (Thurman) decides to take matters into her own hands. Armed with her own advanced martial arts skills, The Bride fights to take down the assassins who wronged her, taking no prisoners along the way. (credit:Photo by Andrew Cooper – © 2003 Miramax Films. All Rights Reserved. (IMDB.com))

Beasts of the Southern Wild(06 of15)

Budget: $1.8 million. Box Office: $21 million.Audiences and critics alike took notice of this little film about a most unusual little girl. Living in a section of the Louisiana bayou prone to severe flooding, Hushpuppy (played by Quvenzhané Wallis), is a fiercely independent five-year-old who is often left to fend for herself. When her father falls ill, she sets out on a journey to find her mom, discovering her unbounded strength along the way. (credit:AP)

The Help(07 of15)

Budget: $25 million. Box Office: $211 million.Audiences and critics were drawn to this period drama about the lives and relationships of a group of women in the racially charged South of the 1960s. The ensemble cast features a galaxy of stars including Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer. (credit:AP)

The Hunger Games(08 of15)

Budget: $78 million. Box Office: $691 million. “The Hunger Games” takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, where each year, a group of adolescents is chosen to fight to the death. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) jumps in to take her younger sister’s place in the deadly competition when she is chosen, and a bloody battle ensues. (credit:AP)

Zero Dark Thirty(09 of15)

Budget: $40 million. Box Office: $138 million.Based on the true story of how Osama bin Laden was taken down by the U.S. military, “Zero Dark Thirty” is centered on C.I.A. agent Maya Lambert (played by Jessica Chastain), who is at the heart of the mission. In the male-dominated world of the secret service, Maya shines, representing the work of many real women in similar government agencies. (credit:AP)

The Devil Wears Prada(10 of15)

Budget: $35 million. Box Office: $326 million.Meryl Streep's portrayal of ruthless magazine editor Miranda Priestley was an audience favorite in 2006 smash-hit "The Devil Wears Prada." Anne Hathaway’s naïve Andy Sachs plays off of her icy boss skillfully, encouraging us all to root for the underdog. (credit:© 2006 Twentieth Century Fox. All rights reserved. (IMDB.com))

Bridesmaids(11 of15)

Budget: $32.5 million. Box Office: $288 million.Judd Apatow brought his signature raunchy humor to a new platform with Bridesmaids’ full female cast. The popularity of Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig helped launch this hilarious comedy to extraordinary heights. (credit:AP)

Aliens(12 of15)

Budget: $18.5 million. Box Office: $131 million.This female-led action adventure film featured Sigourney Weaver in the role of Ellen Ripley, a tough-as-nails warrant officer that challenged gender stereotypes and has been hailed as one of the best female protagonists of all time. (credit:© 1986 Twentieth Century Fox. All Rights Reserved.)

Sophie's Choice(13 of15)

Budget: $9 million. Box Office: $30 million.Meryl Streep gave one of her many award-winning performances in “Sophie’s Choice,” portraying a World War II survivor who is deeply haunted by her past. The film is a wonderful example of Streep's incredible talent as an actress and a beautiful period film in its own right. (credit:© 1982 - Universal Pictures. All rights reserved. (IMDB.com))

The Color Purple(14 of15)

Budget: $15 million. Box Office: $98 million.Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Alice Walker's novel made Whoopi Goldberg a movie star and gave Oprah Winfrey her first film role. Goldberg's Celie, abused from a young age by the men in her life, is a poor Southern girl, who finally learns how to stand up for herself after a number of strong women enter into her life. It's a wonderful depiction of a character who transforms from a victim to an independent woman. (credit:Getty Images)

The First Wives Club(15 of15)

Budget: $30 million. Box Office: $181 million.Featuring a superstar female cast, “The First Wives Club” was a must-see for anyone who has suffered from a broken heart. Female friendship and strength are key themes that resonate throughout the film, which laughs in the face of the ladies’ misfortune. (credit: © 1996 Paramount Pictures (IMDB.com))

Meryl Streep recently revealed in an interview that she believes it's hard to get movies made about women because many male viewers can't actually emphasise with the leading female characters.

She explained that because Hollywood is dominated by men and male storylines, girls from a young age learn to emphasise with these male characters.

However boys have rarely been required to do the opposite. As a result, Streep says that making male viewers identify with a female lead character is "the hardest thing".

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uk lifestyle news simon pegg Feminism Women In Film Gender inequality

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