Elizabeth Banks Calls Out Spielberg, “He’s Never Made a Movie with a Female Lead.” (Is She Right?)

Accepting an award from non-profit group Women in Film, Elizabeth Banks delivered some hard truths about women in Hollywood, which included a slam for Oscar-winning director, Steven Spielberg. Banks told the crowd at the Beverly Hilton Hotel,

“I went to ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Jaws’ and every movie Steven Spielberg ever made, and by the way, he’s never made a movie with a female lead. Sorry, Steven. I don’t mean to call your ass out but it’s true.”

In truth, of the 30 feature films Spielberg directed, The Color Purple did feature a female lead, Whoopi Goldberg. Someone in the audience pointed this out and Banks moved on.

Her point was well-taken.

Banks discussed how her sons are often exposed to empowering female stories like in Disney’s Frozen, and how they will see Wonder Woman when they’re old enough. Banks encouraged of mothers,

“Buy a fucking ticket to a movie with a woman, take them, give them the experience of seeing amazing women on film.

I directed one movie. I’m really glad to be up here and getting an award, but it’s really about expanding the roles of women in this industry.

Part of the reason I’m here is because the movie made $287 million.”

Banks directed Pitch Perfect 2 and next she’ll direct a reboot of Charlie’s Angels.

TheWrap did a quick gender tally of Spielberg’s films, by the way. ’74’s The Sugarland Express had a female lead in Goldie Hawn, and his most recent film The BFG had a young female lead, Ruby Barnhill.