Elizabeth Banks remembers being told outright that she would not be able to direct male actors, a statement she says was quickly proven wrong by directing Ray Liotta.
appearing in The Kelly Clarkson Show to promote his Peacock comedy series The miniature wifeBanks was asked about times she’s been made to feel small in Hollywood.
His response was immediate.
“Because I direct movies, I was literally told ‘you can’t direct men. They won’t follow you,'” she said.
“And then I directed Ray Liotta, who played Henry Hill in good friendsand I think I achieved it. Check. Is everything all right.”
Liotta starred in Banks’ 2023 film cocaine bearwhich grossed $90 million worldwide.
It was one of several major studio films that Banks directed, along with perfect pitch 2, a $287 million global hit, and Charlie’s Angels in 2019.
is he Charlie’s Angels experience to which Banks returned in detail, describing her frustration at losing control of the film’s narrative to an outlet that was determined to frame it as a feminist statement rather than simply a big-budget action film.
“A lot of the story the media wanted to tell about Charlie’s Angels was that it was some feminist manifesto,” she recalled.
“I just loved the franchise. There was no gender agenda on my part. That was way over the top of the job, and it was a little annoying. I felt like I pigeonholed myself and the audience into the movie.”
When Clarkson asked if being told she couldn’t lead men had simply encouraged her to do exactly that, Banks’ response was direct.
“Yes of course!”
