Elizabeth Banks Adapts Charlie’s Angels Series

by The Cowl Editor on September 19, 2019


Film and Television


Highlights Modern Female Empowerment

by Anne DeLello ’20 A&E Staff

GRAPHIC BY PATRICK FULLER ’21/THE COWL

It is well known that Elizabeth Banks is directing and starring in a remake of the classic Charlie’s Angels that will come out on Nov. 15. The cast features actresses including Kristen Stewart as Sabina Wilson, Naomi Scott as Elena Houghlin, and Ella Balinska as Jane Kano. 

This is the third remake of Charlie’s Angels following the 2000 remake, Charlie’s Angels, and its 2003 sequel, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, which features performances by Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Lui.  

According to Variety, Banks has stated, “Charlie’s Angels, for me, is one of the original brands to celebrate the empowered woman since its debut in the 70s.” Both the plot of the movie and the strong females that Banks has cast in it celebrate empowered women in the 21st century. Banks confirms this in a Variety article when she says, “This film honors the legacy of Charles Townsend and his agency while introducing a new era of modern and global Angels.”  

Not only does the movie have an all-star female cast, but female vocalists will be represented throughout the movie as well. The song featured in the trailer was released by three pop powerhouses: Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, and Lana Del Rey. 

The song, “Don’t Call Me Angel,” marks the first collaboration between the three artists. The music video shows all three artists showcasing their talents, and the impression given in the visual goes against the common angel stereotype.  

 Rolling Stone reiterates this fact when it writes, “In the Hannah Lux Davis-directed clip, the trio is seen sultrily strutting around clad in all-black with black angels wings signifying they’re not the archetypical angel versions.”  

This antithesis of the classic white-clad angels is in line with Banks’ vision of the movie, which continues the Charlie’s Angels tradition of showcasing empowered women who do not submit to the men around them. Banks herself is even featured at the end of the trailer and references the three popstars who perfectly fit the description of Charlie’s Angels.  

The rest of the soundtrack for the movie is expected to be just as powerful and will come out on Nov. 1. Grande herself co-executive produced the soundtrack.  

From a stellar female cast, to a new hit single by three women who are dominating the music scene, Charlie’s Angels is all about showing female strength. Banks chose a cast and music crew to do exactly that.