‘The Girl In The Spider’s Web’ Director Describes The Lead Character As A “Feminist Batman”

There’s a lot of people anxiously awaiting the upcoming film “The Girl in the Spider’s Web.” However, it’s not because everyone is excited to see the latest film in the Lisbeth Salander ‘Dragon Tattoo’ series. While some are definitely hyped about the film, there’s a strong contingent of people who are skeptical, considering the change in director (David Fincher out, Fede Alvarez in) and the change in the lead role (Rooney Mara out, Claire Foy in). Well, the director and star were on hand at a recent Q&A to explain why their film is different than the Fincher film (as well as the Swedish original trilogy) and how it fits in with today’s political climate.

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“This is the first time that we dare to tell a story 100% about [Lisbeth],” Alvarez said (via Collider) about the film which focuses on the hero of the novels and films, Lisbeth Salander. “That’s a huge difference and that’s why I think we said on the first day she’s like a feminist Batman. That’s who she is. It does have that element of a superhero.”

But even with a female lead and the obvious superhero elements, don’t expect ‘Spider’s Web’ to feature those gratuitous tight leather outfits and flattering angles that fans of superhero films have come to expect.

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“We even had discussions about how the camera will move to not feel like we’re doing the wrong thing. [Claire] reminded me every day, ‘You’re a male white man, Fede, don’t forget’…but it’s true, there’s a point to that. Every moment, if I’m shooting her, it’s like ‘Am I making it too sexy right now? Maybe I should pull back,’” said the director.

He continued, describing how #MeToo played a role in the film’s development, “It was super present in our heads more than it even would be because it was coming right when [the #MeToo movement] was happening. It was the perfect movie to honor that, to make sure we didn’t do anything that was stupid exploitation-y.”

Adding to that is Claire Foy, replacing Mara (who was nominated for an Oscar for her work on ‘Dragon Tattoo’). Foy was adamant about not showing Lisbeth’s sexuality in an exploitative way and wanted to make sure the character would avoid labels. She reveals that the film removed a sex scene because “it didn’t serve the character.”

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That being said, Foy admits the character’s sexuality is present in the film, but will not be labeled, saying, “…she will seek pleasure where she seeks pleasure. Whether that’s with a man, or a woman, or on her own. She has absolutely no judgment or ability to identify with other people in that way.”

Fans and skeptics, alike, will get a chance to see Foy and Alvarez’s take on the franchise when “The Girl in the Spider’s Web” hits theaters on November 9.