“The Maze Runner” actress Patricia Clarkson is the latest performer to speak out on sexism in Hollywood, stating that while women have “risen,” they are still “underpaid” and a “minority in this business.”
“Women have risen,” the actress said in an interview with The Guardian, “but we’re still underpaid and we’re still a vast minority in this business.”
The interview to promote her new film, “Learning to Drive,” quickly turned to the discussion of the female-led “Ghostbusters” re-boot that has caused furor among many fans of the original films, especially men.
“There are still so many movies made starring 50 men and one woman!” she said. “A white male actor should never be allowed to complain about anything. Shut up and sit in the corner. I mean, seriously! The odds of us having films made which star women … Everyone still references one movie: ‘Bridesmaids!’ ‘Ghostbusters’ is a great thing and I love these actresses. I can’t wait to see it.”
Clarkson isn’t concerned at all about the film’s pressure to do well at the box office, as well as among critics. The reboot is looking to gross $63 million in its opening weekend and $178 million cumulatively in the U.S., according to BoxOffice.com, while the first “Ghostbusters” in 1984 made $242 million domestically.
“Men make bad movies that bomb all the time, but they’re like, ‘Oh, well, we didn’t do the marketing right,’” she added. “Eat me!”
Clarkson also addressed “Game of Thrones” actor Kit Harington’s remarks that he has dealt with problems in his own career due to “a sexism that happens towards men.”
“He’s a sex symbol,” Clarkson said. “Get over it. You have an amazing career and you’re on a hot show. Take your shirt off.”