Colin Trevorrow’s Comments on Lack of Female Blockbuster Directors Draw Criticism

Director Colin Trevorrow has come under fire for sharing his opinions about the gender imbalance among directors of big-budget studio films.

Known for directing monster hit “Jurassic World” and recently announced as the director of “Star Wars: Episode IX,” Trevorrow responded on Friday to a Twitter user asking if he thought he would have been hired for “Jurassic World” if he were female.

“I want to believe that a filmmaker with both the desire and ability to make a studio blockbuster will be given an opportunity to make their case,” Trevorrow’s tweet reads. “I stress desire because I honestly think that’s a part of the issue. Many of the top female directors in our industry are not interested in doing a piece of studio business for its own sake. These filmmakers have clear voices and stories to tell that don’t necessarily involve superheroes or spaceships or dinosaurs.”

Trevorrow’s suggestion that female directors aren’t interested in directing superhero or sci-fi films ignited vocal frustration from actress Jamie King, who tweeted at Trevorrow, “It’s unfortunate that you believe this.”

In response to King, Trevorrow attempted to clarify his thoughts: “I believe that there is an imbalance in our industry that needs to change, and it will. If I’m muddling my point, I apologize,” he tweeted.

Trevorrow’s perceived gaffe comes on the heels of him making similar comments to L.A. Times earlier this month (as pointed out by SlashFilm) when asked about the issue of gender inequality among directors.

“Obviously it’s very lopsided, and hopefully it’s going to change as time goes on,” the director said. “But it hurts my feelings when I’m used as an example of white, male privilege. I know many of the female filmmakers who are being referred to in these articles. These women are being offered these kinds of movies, but they’re choosing not to make them.”

He added, “I think it makes them seem like victims to suggest that they’re not getting the opportunities and not artists who know very clearly what kind of stories they want to tell and what films they want to make. To me, that’s the reality.”

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