Hey movie lovers! Elizabeth Olsen – you know, our fave Wanda Maximoff – is making some seriously interesting moves lately. Not only is she heading back to TV in a super intriguing new pilot but she is also standing up for what she believes in regarding some recent Academy Award drama . Let's break down all the buzz around Elizabeth Olsen !
'Seven Sisters' Pilot Alert! Elizabeth Olsen Reunites with 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' Director for New FX Show
Exciting news for Olsen fans! She's set to star in a pilot for FX called Seven Sisters and get this it is a reunion with director Sean Durkin. Remember the movie Martha Marcy May Marlene? Yeah Durkin directed that breakout film for Olsen way back when and now they are teaming up again for TV. That’s got to be a good sign right?
Details are still under wraps about the exact plot of Seven Sisters but with Olsen and Durkin involved you just know it is going to be something special. Durkin is also set to direct the pilot episode. This pairing suggests a project with depth interesting characters and probably some seriously great acting. If you are a fan of Olsen's more indie and dramatic work this pilot is definitely one to watch out for.
Oscar Backlash! Why Elizabeth Olsen and Hundreds of Academy Members are Calling Out the Academy
Now for the more serious stuff. There is some major controversy brewing around the Academy Awards and Elizabeth Olsen is right in the middle of it. It all started when Hamdan Ballal the Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land was reportedly attacked and detained by Israeli forces.
After Ballal's detainment the Academy put out a statement. Sounds good right? Well not exactly. The statement was criticized as being super weak and failing to even mention Ballal's name or the film No Other Land. Basically it was a very general message about supporting artists without actually supporting THIS artist in THIS situation. Lots of Academy members were not happy about it to say the least.
Enter Elizabeth Olsen. Along with over 600 other Academy members including some HUGE names like Mark Ruffalo Sandra Oh Ava DuVernay and Joaquin Phoenix Olsen signed an open letter blasting the Academy's response. The letter called the Academy's initial statement "tepid" and "embarrassing". It demanded a much stronger response in defense of Ballal.
Star Power Standing Up: Olsen Joins A-List Signatories Demanding Action for Palestinian Filmmaker
This open letter is a big deal. It is not just some random online petition. It is a forceful message from within the Academy itself from people who clearly feel strongly that the organization needs to do better to support artists especially when they are facing violence and suppression for their work.
Here are just a few of the notable names who signed the letter alongside Elizabeth Olsen showing the widespread support for a stronger Academy stance:
- Mark Ruffalo
- Sandra Oh
- Ava DuVernay
- Penélope Cruz
- Joaquin Phoenix
- Olivia Colman
- Emma Thompson
- Javier Bardem
- Riz Ahmed
- Laura Poitras
- Errol Morris
- Jonathan Glazer
- Adam McKay
That is a seriously impressive list right? It sends a clear message that many within Hollywood feel the Academy needs to actively defend filmmakers like Ballal who are facing real risks for telling important stories.
Academy U-Turns? Apology Issued After Outcry, But Questions Remain
It seems like the pressure worked somewhat. After the huge backlash and the circulating open letter the Academy did issue a follow-up statement. This time they specifically named Hamdan Ballal and No Other Land and apologized for not doing so initially.
They said they regretted failing to acknowledge Ballal and the film directly and that they "sincerely apologize" to him and to artists who felt unsupported. They also stated that the Academy "condemns violence of this kind anywhere in the world" and that they "abhor the suppression of free speech under any circumstances."
While this apology is definitely a step in the right direction some are still wondering if it is enough. The initial tepid response and the need for hundreds of members to sign a letter to push for action raises questions about the Academy's overall stance on defending artists in challenging situations. The situation highlights the ongoing debate about free speech artistic expression and the responsibility of organizations like the Academy to speak out on important issues.
Elizabeth Olsen: From Blockbusters to Activism and Back to TV - Always Keeping it Interesting
So there you have it Elizabeth Olsen is busy as ever. She is diving into a new TV project with a director she has worked with before showing off her acting chops in what is likely to be a compelling drama. And she is also using her platform to stand up for issues she believes in joining hundreds of others in Hollywood to challenge the Academy Awards to do better.
Whether she is starring in superhero blockbusters taking on indie roles or speaking out on important matters Elizabeth Olsen continues to be a force to watch. Keep an eye out for Seven Sisters and for whatever impactful thing she does next. She is definitely an artist who is not afraid to use her voice both on and off screen.