Zack Synder’s ‘Justice League’ Is Being Criticized For Sexualizing The Amazons From ‘Wonder Woman’

Zack Snyder’s Justice League has some pretty big shoes to fill. Not only does it have to balance a movie packed to the brim with super heroes, it’s riding on the high expectations set by this summer’s breakout hit Wonder Woman and the blockbuster titan that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That’s a lot of hype for one movie that people have already started hating.

The team-focused film will return to the Amazon home world, giving us more opportunities to freak out over Diana’s (Gal Gadot) badass matriarchal family. However, some on-set photos of the Amazons that were shared earlier today have sparked some outrage. In Patty Jenkins‘ version of the film, the warrior race is conservatively dressed in breathable armor that is both attractive and practical to the modern warrior lady. Snyder’s take on Themysciran fashion seems to rely more on video game standards of female armor, meaning it’s skimpy as all get out and for no real reason.

Wonder Woman fans have already started to express their disappointment. IndieWire’s Kate Erbland summed up the controversy well, pointing out that Synder’s take on the race is far more sexualized, which is counterintuitive to the empowering message of Jenkins’ film. The costumes have also been criticized on an aesthetic level. Whereas Jenkins’ interpretation of the Amazons’ armor blends Greek and Roman influences, Synder’s take looks like generic armor you would find in any fantasy game.

As the Golden Lasso explains, Jenkins’ film put a lot of time and energy into developing what an appropriate uniform would be for the Amazon women. Justice League‘s clothes don’t seem to channel that same gender-sensitive attention to detail, instead favoring a male gaze instead of practicality. Of course, this doesn’t mean that Justice League is already starting out on a sour note before its premiere this week. However, it’s not helping.