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Here’s what director Joe Russo thinks of female Captain America
By Natalia Ningthoujam
Singapore, April 15 (IANS) Actor Chris Evans has been vocal about the end of his character Captain America on the big screen. So is there scope for a woman to pick up his shield and be the star-spangled hero?
“I think you can expect other female characters. There are thousands of superheroes and they are from all walks of life, different genders and racial diversity.
“So moving forward… you can see the mantle getting handed over to different characters other than revisiting characters that we have already seen,” Joe Russo, who directed Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Captain America: Civil War” with his brother Anthony Russo, said in response to a question by IANS here.
Trinh Tran, executive producer of the Russo brothers’ next directorial “Avengers: Infinity War”, said they are working on “Captain Marvel”, which will be the first female-led movie from the studio.
“As we go chapter to chapter, more faces will come along, there will be more characters to explore and more franchises to be created,” Tran said during an interaction for the promotion of the forthcoming film “Avengers: Infinity War”.
Diversity will continue to be significant for Marvel Studios, which is behind one of the most successful films – “Black Panther”, a film that had a nearly all-black cast.
“I think in the next phase of Marvel you are going to see a much more diverse phase. There’s a global audience that loves these movies,” said Joe.
And as filmmakers, they think they should make films that “reflect” the global audience.
Joe feels it is important to make big superhero films.
“I think these characters represent something to everyone who watches the films. You see a certain part of yourself in these films and root for the characters that you identify with,” he said.
Sharing an example, he said: “Bucky Barnes is an emo (emotional) character. People who relate to him are passionate. He is very vulnerable. People want to see him succeed and be healed.
“The stories are really important to the society that help us convey ideas at a subliminal level.”
But such films, despite being blockbusters, fail to bag Oscars.
“I think the Oscars do a very specific (job) which is to bring focus to movies that didn’t get the attention that they deserved.
“Superhero films are not necessarily the kind of films that require more attention,” Joe said in response to a question by IANS.
He is also not sure if the “older” lot watches such movies.
“This is driven by the core audience that is younger. It’s (to win an Oscar) not why we make films. We make the films to reach out to a wide audience and fans who are very supportive of them. But maybe someday,” added the massive comic book fan.
(The writer’s trip to Singapore is at the invitation of Disney. Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at Natalia.n@Ian’s.in)
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.