If not now, when?

Black Widow’s director Cate Shortland on ‘involuntary hysterectomy’ clap-back

“So Eric, who is our writer, had written a joke about women being in bad moods because they have their period, Shortland recalls. And I remember Florence and Scarlett and I reading it and just being like, ‘Oh, my God, this is ridiculous.’

The director says she almost cut the joke entirely, but after discussing with her actors, ultimately decided to “answer it.” She didn’t clarify if that meant improvising on the day of or going back for traditional rewrites, but the outcome was the final digression on involuntary hysterectomies.

“I’m just really proud of us! It was a crazy show, and I’m sure everyone feels that way at the end of every job. We had a great time together making our show, and for it to even have had the response that it had was enough, and then to be recognized on this level is very surprising and exciting.

For Marvel to enter television by creating a love song to television just felt perfect. It was so challenging but such a joy, it was really one of the most fun jobs I’ve ever had because of these sitcoms through the decades. It made me realize, ‘Oh maybe I should be a sitcom actor, what am I doing with all these dramas?’”

Okay, you got a plan, or shall I just stay, duck, and cover? My plan was to drive us away. Well, your plan sucks.

“I always felt like I could say ‘No’ in any work situation – if someone was making me feel uncomfortable – and I just feel like that’s what we need. We don’t have to follow suit if it doesn’t feel right. We need to be listening to our gut. There was a time where women were competing with one another and now we’re at a time where women are holding each other up.”