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This skepticism is compounded by the entire marketing approach. For example, Furiosa’s marketing struggled because replacing an iconic male character like Max with a female protagonist felt like substituting in a less compelling version rather than expanding the universe authentically. Such tactics may alienate both male and female audiences rather than attract new viewers.

The Historical Context of Female-led Action Films

Contrary to claims that Hollywood has only recently embraced female action stars, the genre’s history spans decades. Films like Alien, Foxy Brown, Kill Bill, and Salt showcased women in leading roles long before the current wave. These films generally performed well, indicating there has been longstanding audience interest in female protagonists.