Stephen Colbert lobbies for more female movie super-villains

Stephen Colbert lobbies for more female super-villains — (Image credit: Late Show)

Stephen Colbert said on Tuesday's Late Show that he had seen Captain America: Civil War, and liked it, though it was too long ("though then again, so was the real Civil War"). But he couldn't help noticing something while watching the film. "The Marvel Cinematic Universe is kind of a sausage fest," Colbert said. "And I have to say, all that spandex really showcases the sausage." The news hook for his observation about gender and superhero movies was that the writers of Iron Man 3 say Marvel made them change the villain from a woman to a man, because they thought a female villain's toy wouldn't sell as well. Watch below for Colbert's complaint and pop-cultural historical revisionism. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.