She-Hulk Star Addresses Sexist Backlash, Says Show Will Challenge Marvel Fans

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law got off to a rocky start to its public debut. People's reactions to the series' debut trailer were, to put it mildly, divided, with some criticising what they perceived as poor CGI for the show. Many people were a little uncertain about what to anticipate when the show premieres in a few days as a result of this.

However, it begs the question: How much of that criticism was sincere? And to what extent was a sexist mob responsible for it? Talking about those kind of people is never enjoyable, but they do exist, particularly in the world of pop culture. And to make matters worse, they frequently have some of the loudest voices in crowds. 

Related: Mark Ruffalo Defends the MCU By Criticizing Star Wars

Should viewers begin preparing themselves for some of that poisonous blowback when the show premieres? Tatiana Maslany has spoken about how she thinks about the always shifting environment for women superheroes and how she responds to those kinds of voices.

She-Hulk Discusses Potential Backlash

Tatiana Maslany, who plays She-Hulk, said during a press conference for the film that she is eager to see how some audiences will respond to what they have in store, especially any potential sexist online response.

She-Hulk Star Maslany is expecting "a real visceral response" and that she is "so excited for people to see that:"

"Yeah, I also feel like I'm curious about what kind of conversations people will have about this show and with each other, depending on I think people, you know, can have a real visceral response to like a woman superhero, which we've already felt, you know, online? And it's interesting to me that there is such a visceral response. And I'm curious about the question around why, you know? And I think, you know, all of the feelings that we have watching a show like this, whether it's like, you know, laughter or all of that, there is so much else going on that challenges people and that I think we really like hit in a really wonderful way near the end, especially, of the season. I'm so excited for people to see that."

In a different interview with The Guardian, Maslany expressed her excitement for the day when a female superhero will be taken for granted by the general public:

"I'm really interested in when these [marginalized] voices get to speak without it being like: 'Oh my God, it's all women,' or, 'Oh my God, this is a story about a queer couple,' and those stories become as innately expected as they are now special."

The phrase implies that "it's as if we're supposed to be grateful that we get to be that," she said, stating that she felt the term "strong female lead" was "reductive":

"Because [the label of 'strong female lead' is] reductive. It's just as much a shaving off of all the nuances and just as much of a trope. It's a box that nobody fits into. Even the phrase is frustrating. It's as if we're supposed to be grateful that we get to be that."

"we are at a point in our culture where we are seeing a shift in representation in gender:" She-Hulk director Kat Coiro said in an interview with Hindustan Times. 

"… comic books historically are a male art form. We are at a point in our culture where we are seeing a shift in representation in gender, ethnicity, and that's always an adjustment period for people. But I think the show is entertaining enough and has so many great qualities to it that it's going to draw everybody in - men, women, the whole world."

She-Hulk’s Here to Stay

There will undoubtedly be sexist voices that try to undermine the show, but there are a tonne of other sincere viewers who will work to sweep that ugliness under the rug.

Hopefully, any problems the show may or may not have may be brought up by genuine voices and respectfully discussed; perhaps review-bombing can even be avoided.

Related: The Quantity of Marvel films Makes Each one Less Special, Says Lindelof

Tatiana Maslany's She-Hulk will continue to exist even if the Disney+ series is not well received. Whatever happens, she'll establish herself as a main character in the MCU, and the world will be better off as a result. She is a phenomenal actress who improves everything she touches.

It might be wise to get off the train now if you're concerned about the fact that so many female voices are becoming established in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The MCU is only getting better with the involvement of well-known characters like Riri Williams, Kate Bishop, Yelena Belova, and Kamala Khan.

Disney+ will release She-Hulk on Thursday, August 18.