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Marvel Studios was the latest recipient of the Seal of Authentic Representation from the Ruderman Family Foundation. Chloe Zhao's feature film Eternals and the Disney Plus original series Hawkeye received the honor for their authentic representation of disabilities in their narratives.
The Ruderman Family Foundation centers its focus on advocating for people with disabilities in society, an objective that the media hopes to accomplish by portraying actors selected for particular roles authentically. The Seal of Authentic Representation from the foundation looks to acknowledge movies and television shows that take steps to include actors with disabilities in roles comprised of at least five lines of dialogue. A Quiet Place Part II and Godzilla vs. Kong were included in the list of recipients honored with the recognition last year. Millicent Simmonds and Kaylee Hottle, who are deaf, were respectively cast in each film and played significant roles throughout their narrative.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Eternals received the honor for its casting of Lauren Ridloff, who played Makkari in the Marvel Studios film. Ridloff, who is deaf, portrayed one of the first-ever deaf superheroes in the MCU, filling the shoes of a character known to be the fastest woman in the universe. Her incredible performance sparked enthusiasm in the deaf community, which audiences can also say about Alaqua Cox's role in Hawkeye. Cox, who is deaf and an amputee, played Echo in the Disney Plus series, a character skillfully trained in martial arts. Both women embodied roles that aren't typically present in superhero films, thus opening a door for people in those communities to see characters they can fully identify with on screen.
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Sarah Finn, the mind behind casting for the MCU, praised both women and their talents. "Not only was Ridloff overly qualified to join an already high-level cast, she elevated the ensemble with her unique spirit, talents and charisma," stated Finn, who went on to note the real-life hero Ridloff had become for many. In regard to Cox, Finn noted that the MCU wanted to acknowledge the deaf and Native American communities with the casting of the Marvel character. "We couldn’t be more delighted by Alaqua Cox's performance," expressed Finn. "She is phenomenal and part of a new culture in film and television, where authentic representation not only matters but is paramount to the kind of stories we want to tell.”
However, Eternals and Hawkeye were not the only projects to be honored for their representation. HBO Max's And Just Like That, NBC's Ordinary Joe, and Hulu's Only Murders in the Building also received the Seal of Authentic Representation from the foundation. The notable shows include characters with various disabilities who played significant roles. Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Foundation, acknowledged the recipients and their role in promoting an inclusive environment. "We are gratified to witness this latest group of studio productions implement the crucial values of inclusion and authentic representation in their casting decisions."
The honored films and shows highlight the importance of representation across media, especially for underrepresented and acknowledged communities. CODA's victory at the 94th Oscars showcased the inclusivity matriculating throughout Hollywood. The Apple TV film, which centers around a child of deaf adults, won the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Troy Kotsur, one of the film's main stars, also won for Best Supporting Actor, becoming the second deaf actor in history to take home an Oscar for acting. Seeing the actions taken by Marvel Studios and others may hopefully provide more opportunities for those with various disabilities to find their place on the big screen.
Eternals and Hawkeye are now available on Disney Plus.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter