If you keep abreast of superhero news you’ve probably seen a bunch of articles reporting that Anna Kendrick wants to play Squirrel Girl in a Marvel superhero movie. That’s neat. I’d love to see Squirrel Girl on the big screen and I’ve no doubt Kendrick could knock that role out of the park. There’s only one problem…
She didn’t actually say that.
“My brother sent me a Squirrel Girl comic because he thinks I should [play her],” she told fashion magazine Porter. “I don’t know what Squirrel Girl does other than be half squirrel, but I could be half squirrel!”
Yeah. That’s it.
Look. I understand the need for catchy headlines but that’s no excuse for writing inaccurate, misleading or outright dishonest copy.
Maybe the page views are worth it but when I see an article titled something along the lines of “Anna Kendrick Wants To Play Squirrel Girl” and I read the article only to find out that that’s not at all what she said, I get really aggravated and I start thinking your outlet isn’t worth my time.
Did a bunch of journalists read Kendrick’s comment and misunderstand it? If not, then it appears the writers and editors are being willfully disingenuous in order to write a more attractive story because they think their readership is too stupid or lazy to parse a very straightforward quote and I find that horrifically insulting.
Shame on you, entertainment journalists.
I’m sorry “Anna Kendrick’s Brother Thinks She Should Play Squirrel Girl” isn’t as attractive a headline but tough rocks. That’s the story. Have some respect for your audience, have some respect for yourself, and do better.
