# Will DC or Marvel be the first to deliver a modern female-headlined super heroine movie?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-dc-or-marvel-be-the-first-to-deliver-a-modern-female-headlined-super-heroine-movie/681226>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [February 13, 2014, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-dc-or-marvel-be-the-first-to-deliver-a-modern-female-headlined-super-heroine-movie/681226 "2014-02-13T08:16:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 9

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**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-dc-or-marvel-be-the-first-to-deliver-a-modern-female-headlined-super-heroine-movie/681226/161 "2014-04-05T18:15:47Z")

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> [@B.Serum](#):
>
> [This image](http://superdames.tumblr.com/image/81701249601) speaks so much about DC’s prioritization of it’s “big three.”

> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#):
>
> Cathy Lee Crosby should be to Lynda Carter’s right, but no matter.

They’re padding the Batmans with Burton-era actors, even though that set of movies were each sequels to one another.

And while it’s not one of the big three, there was the TV show Birds of Prey.

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**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-dc-or-marvel-be-the-first-to-deliver-a-modern-female-headlined-super-heroine-movie/681226/162 "2014-04-05T18:29:20Z")

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> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#):
>
> In the Marvel-verse, after Captain America went missing near the end of WWII, the authorities tapped a non-serum-enhanced patriot to wear the star-spangled costume while carrying out President Truman’s orders. (So, y’know, like the Comedian, only without being a dick.)

I’ve always wondered if this is true for the Marvel Cinematic Universe too.

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**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-dc-or-marvel-be-the-first-to-deliver-a-modern-female-headlined-super-heroine-movie/681226/163 "2014-04-05T22:56:52Z")

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> [@Lightray](#):
>
> Zorro is in, then. Riddick, from _Pitch Black_, is a vigilante with an unusual power by the standards of his setting. Neo, from _the Matrix_, probably fits all three. If we accept knowledge and training as an “unusual power” – which is how Batman gets in, after all – then Indiana Jones and Lara Croft are in, too. And as you noted, your criteria don’t work for Green Lantern, despite your hand-waiving the discrepancy away.
> 
> “Superhero” vs. “action hero” is a know-it-when-I-see-it kind of distinction, which makes it useless for comparison when trying to evaluate what kind of movie will or will not work.

Neo and Riddick wear costumes? I think that’s actually one of the most important aspects, since there are plenty of heroes are who aren’t vigilantes, and plenty of heroes without “special” powers (like Batman).

I agree it’s a difficult distinction to make, though. I’d probably try to add in “fights for an idea” as well - Superman fights for truth and justice and the American way, Batman is a symbol, X-Men fight for mutant rights, etc. Admittedly, not sure what Spiderman fights for beyond just saving people.

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**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2014, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-dc-or-marvel-be-the-first-to-deliver-a-modern-female-headlined-super-heroine-movie/681226/164 "2014-04-06T04:43:35Z")

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Spider-Man has the whole “With great power comes great responsibility” thing going. I’d say that’s close enough.

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