Action Movies: Male vs. Female Protagonist

Question

it, I didn't really put much thought into the sex of the lead, but now I'm wondering if, from a spec script standpoint, it might be better to have a female protagonist. My reasoning, which is based on absolutely zero working knowledge of the film industry and is probably way off, is that a female lead would standout from what has to be thousands of scripts with male leads.

What do you think? Again, this is from the view point of an spec script.

-- Newbie Mike

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1] it, I didn't really put much thought into the *** of the lead, but now I'm wondering if, from ... of scripts with male leads. What do you think? Again, this is from the view point of an spec script.[/nq]
With a female lead, your screenplay will invite immediate comparison with the Alien series.

How will it stand up?

Usenet · Answer

You want your script to be the best, most interesting film it can be. Does a female lead do that for you/it?

The trouble with most action films (IMHO) is that the hero is pretty uninteresting; they can be Stallone or Van Damme or Eddie Murphy or Skippy the Wonder Chimp without changing much or anything. If your story is so generic that the lead could be of either gender, then it's probably not got a lot to say beyond "explosions are COOL."

Think in terms of the theme(s) of your story; are there gender-based issues being raised? Could there be? Make your decision based on that, and write the best script you can. Trying to position your script to the market probably isn't the best way to make the decision; most spec scripts serve as writing samples rather than as retail sales. -- Life & Stuff

Steven

Action Movies: Male vs. Female Protagonist

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