Visible Women
Wonder Woman 2 will be the first film to adopt new anti-sexual harassment guidelines
8 years ago
The production of the film will follow new recommendations for eradicating on-set harassment.
The production of the second Wonder Woman film will be the first to use new anti-sexual harassment guidelines devised by the Producers’ Guild of America (PGA), it has been announced.
The group, whose members include some of the most powerful film producers in the world, developed the recommendations in the wake of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements that have rocked Hollywood.
Released on Friday, the suggestions for combating harassment during film productions include providing “in-person anti-sexual harassment training for all members of the cast and crew”, and “taking steps to maintain awareness of harassment on an ongoing basis”.
The document suggests that productions designate “at least two individuals, ideally of different genders”, who cast or crew members know to approach if they experience or witness harassment.
It also advises that producers should “be vigilant” about sexual harassment at all times, and warns that sexual harassment training should not be conducted because of a desire to avoid “legal liability”. Rather, it must “be part of a culture of respect that starts at the top”.
The news that Wonder Woman 2 will be filmed in accordance with sexual harassment guidelines was announced at the PGA Awards on Saturday night, Vanity Fair reports.
It’s not the first time that those behind Wonder Woman – the highest-grossing live-action film ever directed by a woman – have shown their support for the Time’s Up and #MeToo movements. In November, star Gal Gadot reportedly drew a line in the sand and refused to take part in a sequel film if producer Brett Ratner was involved.
Ratner, whose financing company RatPac-Dune Entertainment supported the production of the first Wonder Woman film, has been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct. He denies all allegations.
Gadot later confirmed that Ratner would not have a role in the production of Wonder Woman 2, although she said she was not the only person to express concerns about his involvement.
“The truth is, there’s so many people involved in making this movie – it’s not just me – and they all echoed the same sentiments,” she told the Today show.
Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins also stepped up to help with the secret recasting of film All the Money in the World, after multiple men accused original star Kevin Spacey of sexual harassment and assault.
The film’s screenwriter, David Scarpa, told The Hollywood Reporter that Jenkins put out a casting call under her own name for an elderly actor who could play Spacey’s role. Christopher Plummer eventually took the part.
The Producers Guild of America announced that it would be devising guidelines to tackle sexual harassment in the film industry in October. It also confirmed that Harvey Weinstein would be expelled from its ranks.
The group’s presidents, Gary Lucchesi and Lori McCreary, said in a statement on 19 January: “Sexual harassment can no longer be tolerated in our industry or within the ranks of the Producers Guild membership.”
They added that producers had an obligation “to change our culture and eradicate this abuse.”
Sexual harassment is known to prevent women from progressing in their careers, and so the introduction of the new guidelines is a welcome sign that Hollywood is taking the issue seriously. We hope to see many more film productions – and not just those helmed by women directors – adopting the guidelines in 2018.
Throughout 2018, Stylist is raising the profiles of brilliant women past and present – and empowering future generations to follow their lead – with our Visible Women campaign. See more from Visible Women here.
Images: Rex Features
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