Remember that cool scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron when Black Widow was dropped from an aircraft into traffic while on a motorcycle and effortlessly gave chase? Because she’s so awesome? Let me refresh your memory. It went a little something like this and was featured in the first couple of trailers, as if they were going out of their way to show everyone how cool Black Widow is:
You’re probably not surprised that Hasbro made a toy out of that scene. But you might be surprised when you see it. Can you spot what’s wrong with this picture (in case you forgot to read the headline and just naturally click on pictures of Scarlett Johansson):
Here’s the product description in case you still can’t figure it out, emphasis ours:
Launch your own air-to-ground attack with this incredible Cycle Blast Quinjet vehicle! The sleek jet fits up to four figures (other figures sold separately). It’s a fast-diving jet with a secret weapon – a compartment that launches a motorcycle! With your Captain America figure speeding away on his powerful cycle, the jet can climb back to higher altitude for recon and air attacks! Bad guys will be running for cover when you deploy your awesome Cycle Blast Quinjet vehicle!
Excuse me, Cap, but I think you stole your friend Natasha’s bike there. I’m kidding! Cap would never do that. But clearly, Marvel or Hasbro made the stupid, sexist call to take Black Widow out of a very fun Black Widow scene from Avengers: Age of Ultron because Avengers toys are for boys only and boys won’t play with toys that are girls, not even if those girls are also Avengers. It felt as stupid to type that as it did to read it, I’m guessing.
The absence of Black Widow merchandise is not a new phenomenon and it has even been addressed by one of the movie’s stars, Mark Ruffalo, who tweeted that his daughters and nieces were out of luck when it came to scoring some Black Widow toys. But this is an ongoing problem, and it’s really upsetting to think that even now, toy companies and big names like Marvel still feel the need to classify toys by gender. It’s ridiculous to do that. The movies aren’t geared toward exclusively men and boys, so why should the toys be?
You’d almost think that being a girl is a “bad thing.” Come on, Marvel. You can do so much better. Otherwise, what the hell is going to happen when Captain Marvel comes out?
(Via Daily Dot)
