Actress Vanessa Kirby, who played Sue Storm in Marvel’s “Fantastic Four: First Steps” — a film that is being applauded for its pro-life themes — recently discussed the ‘fierceness’ of motherhood, and how she hoped to portray it on film.
Key Takeaways:
- “Fantastic Four: First Steps” contains pro-life and pro-family themes, stressing the importance of motherhood and the value of every individual life.
- In promotional interviews for the film, star Vanessa Kirby spoke about wanting to portray motherhood in a strong, primal way, without shying away from her character’s feminine, maternal force.
- Kirby is currently pregnant, and said the role helped teach her about motherhood.
- Other celebrities have spoken positively about the role motherhood has played in their lives.
The Details:
In an interview with Variety, Kirby explained that her character Sue Storm’s innate motherhood was something Kirby took seriously in the role.
“It was so helpful to know that it was a mother’s rage, and a mother’s love, because it felt animal. I wanted it to feel more primal, rather than just, ‘I’m trying to defeat this enemy for everybody.’ It’s more like, ‘I’m fighting to save my child.’ I wanted to tap into how fierce the feminine is, while knowing that Sue also embodies a very soft femininity as well,” she said.
“Sometimes action females can feel invincible. We don’t see the softer sides of them,” she added. “For Sue, undeniably, since the ’60s, she felt like this maternal force. I think for all of us and [the film’s director] Matt Shakman, it was asking the question of what the maternal feminine is really like. I really hope women like the film, because that’s what I responded to Sue about in the comics so deeply.”
Kirby, who is pregnant, also said the role helped her understand what it means to be a mother:
In a way, it taught me so much about motherhood, because that’s what motherhood is. It’s not a passive thing.
To give birth, you have to be completely, totally fierce. I’m so happy that you feel that. That’s so moving to me, and all I could have hoped for her.
Mothers are honestly warriors, everyday superheroes. We all know that, because we all come from one.
Zoom Out:
While some celebrities have spoken about abortion if it is a necessity in order to succeed, others have credited motherhood as the drive they needed to accomplish incredible things.
Singer Victoria Monét said she was pressured to have an abortion, but refused; she won Grammy awards in 2024, three years after giving birth.
Cheryl “Salt” James, one half of the iconic “Salt-N-Pepa” hip hop duo, likewise was pressured to have an abortion. She said in a 2023 interview:
I was actually asked to have an abortion — I won’t say by who — but to your point, yeah, you just have to know that it’s something that you’re capable of handling if you want a kid and you want to have a career. And it’s definitely harder.
Having my daughter, besides finding Jesus, is the best thing that I’ve ever experienced, my kids. Like, I needed that lil’ baby in my life, you know? She kept me company on the road.
Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones won an Oscar for her role as Velma Kelly in “Chicago,” which she filmed while pregnant. Gal Gadot’s powerful portrayal of Wonder Woman also received universal acclaim — and, like Zeta-Jones, Gadot was pregnant during filming.
“Hamilton” star Renee Elise Goldsberry won a Tony award for her role as Angelica Schuyler, and in her emotional acceptance speech, she said the best part of her life was going home to her husband and children, highlighting how being a mother did not keep her from such an amazing accomplishment:
I would just love to say that, if you know anything about me, I have spent the last 10 years of my life, what some would consider the life blood of a woman’s career, just trying to have children.
And I get to testify in front of all of you that the Lord gave me Benjamin and Brielle, and he still gave me this.
Even athletes have spoken out. Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Kristin Armstrong said being a mom was her “secret weapon,” and tennis superstar Venus Williams won a Grand Slam tournament while two months pregnant. Olympian Kerri Walsh-Jennings likewise won a gold medal while pregnant, saying, “I feel like I was born to have babies and play volleyball.”
The Bottom Line:
Motherhood is not something to be avoided to looked at as something that makes women weaker. Mothers are indeed fierce, powerful, and capable, and can accomplish great things while raising children.
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