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An Internet Troll Told Marvel Studio’s First Solo Female Superhero To Smile, So She Shut Him Down In Epic Way
Why do men ask women to smile? This phenomenon occurs frequently enough to demand an explanation, and I have unconsciously done it myself a few times in the past. Do we do it with a genuine intention of spreading cheer and positivity? Or is there a more sinister, controlling motive behind it?
Brie Larson, star of Marvel’s first movie with a solo female superhero lead, has been bombarded with internet trolls since the release of the trailer for ‘Captain Marvel,’ asking why she is not sporting a ‘cheesy’ grin. Some even went as far with their trolling as photoshopping a smile onto images of her. But why? Her character is not there simply to look pretty, and she is a badass superhero on a mission to save the Earth from an alien invasion! Not exactly much to smile about in that situation I’d imagine. In response, knowing that she receives this kind of pressure simply because she is female, she decided to have a little photoshop fun of her own. She posted images of male Marvel superheroes looking positively delighted, baring their pearly-whites with radiant smiles. See how ridiculous it looks? These men certainly weren’t criticized for not smiling enough, and they were praised for their gritty portrayals of sometimes dark and serious characters.
Unfortunately, it seems that this genre of movie attracts a higher proportion of insecure guys that can’t handle a kickass, confident woman who doesn’t look exactly the way that they would prefer, and that is the crux of the issue. Many men are socialized to believe that women exist solely to look good for them and feel like it’s OK to instruct women on how they should act and feel.
The famous actress, a superhero both on and off-screen, followed up by saying: “Breaking news: You can be you. That means you can smile or not. You can be strong in the ways you want to be. You can own who you are. If anyone tells you different, don’t trust them.” And she is 100% right. So come on guys, let’s stop telling women to smile. It really is none of our business, and she will smile when it comes naturally to her, not just because you find it to be pleasing!
Scroll down below to check out the hilariously photoshopped images of Marvel characters below, and let us know what you think in the comments!
RELATED:
Brie Larson is the star of Marvel’s first superhero movie with a solo female lead
She has been bombarded with online trolls since the release of the trailer for ‘Captain Marvel’
With people apparently not being happy about her expression
Image credits: JavonSwint
Image credits: BrettRSmith76
One even decided to “fix it” in Photoshop
Brie Larson could not stay silent
Image credits: GeeksOfColor
She responded with her own Photoshoped pics
Other people joined in as well
Image credits: davechensky
Image credits: davechensky
Image credits: davechensky
Image credits: davechensky
Image credits: Shinjischneider
Image credits: Shinjischneider
Image credits: heymermaid
Image credits: XabiGaztelua
Image credits: itsdougjam
Image credits: _murphamy
Image credits: dilillicious
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What do you think ?
Kathy Baylis 7 years ago
Remember the days when men didn't insist women always smile? Oh, yeah, those days haven't happened yet... Brie was right. Those a******s deserved to be called out, so all the hater twits on Twitter should just disappear back down into their moms' basements.
JessG 7 years ago
These movies are about serious things and situations, smiling in trailers or movie posters is ridiculous unless it's an actual comedy. And WHY was she the ONLY super hero character to be attacked about her lack of smile?!?! No one else was. These are hilarious pics, and just highlights how ridiculous it is to tell her to smile or not look so serious!
John Louis 7 years ago
Brilliant, the subtle double standards in our society are in many ways more restrictive than blatant sexism. They are easier to accept and harder to criticize, but the result is the same; treating women as second class citizens.
Patrick James 7 years ago
Love you Brie, btw can we please stop hating on every female lead ever? Honestly, grow up boys
Malcontent 7 years ago
Context matters- there is a reason why she ( and all the other actors ) aren't smiling like a nutter in various images or sequences- they're usually fighting for their lives...
JJ Priest 7 years ago
I think we can all agree that Thanos should smile more. And hopefully to mind our own f*****g business regarding whether someone chooses to smile or not. I just can't believe that someone made an issue out of this, the world is too full of self abuse experts for my liking.
Darryl Kerrigan 7 years ago
Not watching the Trailer as they ruin films noawadays. But I remember learning to fly in the air cadets. It’s stressful, pressured and scary. Anyone laughing as they get into a $200 million jet to fly a combat mission (is it set during the Desert shield/storm?) and potentially kill dozens of people shouldn’t be allowed to fly the mission. And she looks great with a moody face too (damnit, so close to a woke comment!)
Evgeniya Khon 7 years ago
Brie Larson is going to be marvelous as Captain Marvel!!!!! Period:)
NoYFB 7 years ago
Mieluummin vakavana ja "onnettoman näköisenä", kuin amerikkalainen liian tekohymy naamalla. :D
Load More Replies...
Aaron Little 7 years ago
I like that we're assuming Larson is responsible for promotional shots in the first place.
Lynn Noyes 7 years ago
If a man tells you to smile tell him it's hard enough not to laugh when you're looking at him.
Night Owl 7 years ago (edited)
This isn't directly related: I noticed a guy with a big red X in his Twitter user name as one of the critics. I follow an popular german Twitter account and noticed that all of those who started adding that to their names are right or extreme right, and sometimes trolls. Some people are started adding red O to their names to counteract it. Edit for anyone interested: the red X is actually a international maritime signal flag and stand for V (Victor) or "I require assistance."
Beans 7 years ago
Honestly, I watched the trailer and it bugged me because she just lacks expression in general. Like she isn't angry, determined or anything. She has like ONE mode, and it's kinda bland. It was really disappointing, actually. I have high hopes for the movie and am kinda worried that she may be a kinda stiff and wooden actress. I didn't want her to smile at all, I want her to look badass and determined and cool, like furrow her brows and look ANGRY and such like Black Widow does. She just doesn't in the trailer. I personally think this is the issue most people have with the trailer, not that she isn't smiling.
sunnyrei82 7 years ago
She actually looks dumb with those fake smiles on those pictures. It makes no sense to have her smile during a fight or a crisis.
Lucia De Santiago 7 years ago
Well done XD, it's so akward that unknown people comes to tell you to smile, why!!!!!!?, just shut up. They always want to see smiling girls to feel something there, pff.
Toni Nerdson 1 year ago (edited)
It's now past mid 2024 and women in every shape or form and profession still just exist to please men's desires and gaze... Sad. Really sad.
Magdalina777 7 years ago
Am confused. Firstly, as a girl I really don't think I've ever been told to smile specifically, aside from pics/friends/family trying to cheer me up etc. Secondly, I'm not sure why everyone keeps going on about smiles at all - at least the first 2 comments up there are simply about her face/facial expression and don't mention smiling at all. Which tbh she does look a bit odd in that picture, not because no smile but just completely uninterested in whatever is going on somehow...but perhaps it's just that one pic giving that impression. This all just seems so grossly blown out of proportion to me...
Jeff Requier 7 years ago
Black Panther isnt smiling, and looking serious is part of the SuperHero pose.
Lily Mae Kitty 7 years ago
my favorite time I was told to smile by a man was when I was in the hospital elevator after being told my dad would most likely not regain consciousness. The man told me to smile b/c it could be worse. argh
Chico Martins 7 years ago
Loved the smiling freaks. But they’ve should cast a better one. Maybe Helen Lindes or Ariadne Artiles.
Robert Kienbaum III 7 years ago
"You'd be prettier if you'd smile more" - do people even hear how sexist and near misogynistic this is?
Clinton Yew 7 years ago
anyone else have a little disappointment seeing black panther wasn't smiling...?
Jilltdcatlady 7 years ago
Brie looks serious about what she is about to do. Or as some call it resting-b***h-face.The smiling Brie looks like an insane lunatic. Like. Movies where the villain is a psychopath. But, then again, I've been a woman for a long time and have inside information.
trinh PHAN VAN 7 years ago
black panther's smile is the best :P But u know this lady have got a hard life before being CAPTAIN MARVEL she had an accident (as doctor strange), she have been kept out of her world the earth , she have lost her memori , from a planet where there are only human CAPTAIN MARVEL discover other species in universe , CAPTAIN MARVEL fight other army cops that are not human.... so i think i could understand why she is not smilling .... :)
Virgil Blue 7 years ago
Nonono no! The DC universe is the one with the gas that causes you to grind like an idiot until you die of it. Sheesh : )
Steve Holt 6 years ago
Sounds like there's a lot of angry women on here who need to smile more
Noah Haon 7 years ago
I'm not complaining but there have been many female solo characters in the marvel universe. Just saying.
Alexis minnix 3 years ago
No. Captain marvel was the first movie with a women lead. Women have been side characters like black widow in iron man and Jane foster in Thor but captain marvel was the first women lead.
Load More Replies...
Ricardo Escalante 7 years ago
Basically dont be a MAN on the internet or else your the devil ROGLMFAOOOOO
Alexis minnix 3 years ago
No, don’t be a SEXIST man on the internet. Or sexist in general.
Load More Replies...
Viviane Katz 7 years ago
I wish I could do something about it, Rebecah sweetie. I don't get invited to sleepovers anymore because I snore like a buzz saw. :(
Load More Replies...
Nadja Lambacher 7 years ago
I get told that by strangers all the time. I worked at conventions and it happened a lot. My male colleagues never got told to smile.
Load More Replies...
JessG 7 years ago
They are super heroes,.....it's not a goofy comedy. Besides, when they are their 'alter-egos', out of costume, they smile all the time. If you think the '....super hero face' is stupid, watch something else.
Load More Replies...
Aunt Messy 7 years ago
Just keep on playing with that micropeen, 'bot boy.
Load More Replies...
Kathy Baylis 7 years ago
Remember the days when men didn't insist women always smile? Oh, yeah, those days haven't happened yet... Brie was right. Those a******s deserved to be called out, so all the hater twits on Twitter should just disappear back down into their moms' basements.
JessG 7 years ago
These movies are about serious things and situations, smiling in trailers or movie posters is ridiculous unless it's an actual comedy. And WHY was she the ONLY super hero character to be attacked about her lack of smile?!?! No one else was. These are hilarious pics, and just highlights how ridiculous it is to tell her to smile or not look so serious!
John Louis 7 years ago
Brilliant, the subtle double standards in our society are in many ways more restrictive than blatant sexism. They are easier to accept and harder to criticize, but the result is the same; treating women as second class citizens.
Patrick James 7 years ago
Love you Brie, btw can we please stop hating on every female lead ever? Honestly, grow up boys
Malcontent 7 years ago
Context matters- there is a reason why she ( and all the other actors ) aren't smiling like a nutter in various images or sequences- they're usually fighting for their lives...
JJ Priest 7 years ago
I think we can all agree that Thanos should smile more. And hopefully to mind our own f*****g business regarding whether someone chooses to smile or not. I just can't believe that someone made an issue out of this, the world is too full of self abuse experts for my liking.
Darryl Kerrigan 7 years ago
Not watching the Trailer as they ruin films noawadays. But I remember learning to fly in the air cadets. It’s stressful, pressured and scary. Anyone laughing as they get into a $200 million jet to fly a combat mission (is it set during the Desert shield/storm?) and potentially kill dozens of people shouldn’t be allowed to fly the mission. And she looks great with a moody face too (damnit, so close to a woke comment!)
Evgeniya Khon 7 years ago
Brie Larson is going to be marvelous as Captain Marvel!!!!! Period:)
NoYFB 7 years ago
Mieluummin vakavana ja "onnettoman näköisenä", kuin amerikkalainen liian tekohymy naamalla. :D
Load More Replies... Aaron Little 7 years ago
I like that we're assuming Larson is responsible for promotional shots in the first place.
Lynn Noyes 7 years ago
If a man tells you to smile tell him it's hard enough not to laugh when you're looking at him.
Night Owl 7 years ago (edited)
This isn't directly related: I noticed a guy with a big red X in his Twitter user name as one of the critics. I follow an popular german Twitter account and noticed that all of those who started adding that to their names are right or extreme right, and sometimes trolls. Some people are started adding red O to their names to counteract it. Edit for anyone interested: the red X is actually a international maritime signal flag and stand for V (Victor) or "I require assistance."
Beans 7 years ago
Honestly, I watched the trailer and it bugged me because she just lacks expression in general. Like she isn't angry, determined or anything. She has like ONE mode, and it's kinda bland. It was really disappointing, actually. I have high hopes for the movie and am kinda worried that she may be a kinda stiff and wooden actress. I didn't want her to smile at all, I want her to look badass and determined and cool, like furrow her brows and look ANGRY and such like Black Widow does. She just doesn't in the trailer. I personally think this is the issue most people have with the trailer, not that she isn't smiling.
sunnyrei82 7 years ago
She actually looks dumb with those fake smiles on those pictures. It makes no sense to have her smile during a fight or a crisis.
Lucia De Santiago 7 years ago
Well done XD, it's so akward that unknown people comes to tell you to smile, why!!!!!!?, just shut up. They always want to see smiling girls to feel something there, pff.
Toni Nerdson 1 year ago (edited)
It's now past mid 2024 and women in every shape or form and profession still just exist to please men's desires and gaze... Sad. Really sad.
Magdalina777 7 years ago
Am confused. Firstly, as a girl I really don't think I've ever been told to smile specifically, aside from pics/friends/family trying to cheer me up etc. Secondly, I'm not sure why everyone keeps going on about smiles at all - at least the first 2 comments up there are simply about her face/facial expression and don't mention smiling at all. Which tbh she does look a bit odd in that picture, not because no smile but just completely uninterested in whatever is going on somehow...but perhaps it's just that one pic giving that impression. This all just seems so grossly blown out of proportion to me...
Jeff Requier 7 years ago
Black Panther isnt smiling, and looking serious is part of the SuperHero pose.
Lily Mae Kitty 7 years ago
my favorite time I was told to smile by a man was when I was in the hospital elevator after being told my dad would most likely not regain consciousness. The man told me to smile b/c it could be worse. argh
Chico Martins 7 years ago
Loved the smiling freaks. But they’ve should cast a better one. Maybe Helen Lindes or Ariadne Artiles.
Robert Kienbaum III 7 years ago
"You'd be prettier if you'd smile more" - do people even hear how sexist and near misogynistic this is?
Clinton Yew 7 years ago
anyone else have a little disappointment seeing black panther wasn't smiling...?
Jilltdcatlady 7 years ago
Brie looks serious about what she is about to do. Or as some call it resting-b***h-face.The smiling Brie looks like an insane lunatic. Like. Movies where the villain is a psychopath. But, then again, I've been a woman for a long time and have inside information.
trinh PHAN VAN 7 years ago
black panther's smile is the best :P But u know this lady have got a hard life before being CAPTAIN MARVEL she had an accident (as doctor strange), she have been kept out of her world the earth , she have lost her memori , from a planet where there are only human CAPTAIN MARVEL discover other species in universe , CAPTAIN MARVEL fight other army cops that are not human.... so i think i could understand why she is not smilling .... :)
Virgil Blue 7 years ago
Nonono no! The DC universe is the one with the gas that causes you to grind like an idiot until you die of it. Sheesh : )
Steve Holt 6 years ago
Sounds like there's a lot of angry women on here who need to smile more
Noah Haon 7 years ago
I'm not complaining but there have been many female solo characters in the marvel universe. Just saying.
Alexis minnix 3 years ago
No. Captain marvel was the first movie with a women lead. Women have been side characters like black widow in iron man and Jane foster in Thor but captain marvel was the first women lead.
Load More Replies... Ricardo Escalante 7 years ago
Basically dont be a MAN on the internet or else your the devil ROGLMFAOOOOO
Alexis minnix 3 years ago
No, don’t be a SEXIST man on the internet. Or sexist in general.
Load More Replies... Viviane Katz 7 years ago
I wish I could do something about it, Rebecah sweetie. I don't get invited to sleepovers anymore because I snore like a buzz saw. :(
Load More Replies... Nadja Lambacher 7 years ago
I get told that by strangers all the time. I worked at conventions and it happened a lot. My male colleagues never got told to smile.
Load More Replies... JessG 7 years ago
They are super heroes,.....it's not a goofy comedy. Besides, when they are their 'alter-egos', out of costume, they smile all the time. If you think the '....super hero face' is stupid, watch something else.
Load More Replies... Aunt Messy 7 years ago
Just keep on playing with that micropeen, 'bot boy.
Load More Replies... You May Like 206 Marvel Quotes To Unlock Your Inner Superhero Woman Asked For Best Ways To “Rage-Bait” Men, 39 Replies Did Not Disappoint
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