The Downfall of Phoebe Waller

Phoebe Waller-Bridge's career trajectory from beloved, quirky writer to a figure representing "forced feminism" and "franchise fatigue" in Hollywood.

Background: Born in Hammersmith, London in 1985; trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Theater: Co-founded the theater company Dryrite in 2007; gained critical acclaim with the play "Maid."
Early TV/Film: Began with minor roles in the late 2000s.
Breakthrough:
- Crashing (2016): A quirky sitcom about squatters.
- Fleabag (2016): Started as a one-woman stage play, adapted into a BBC series; praised for its personality, wit, awkward honesty, and meaningful breaking of the fourth wall as a coping mechanism.

Role: Brought in late in the scriptwriting process to "feminize" the film, tidy up female characters, polish dialogue, and modernize the franchise.
Criticism - "Feminist Touch-up": Seen as retrofitting feminism into a male-dominated franchise, which was perceived as a misstep.
Paloma (Ana de Armas's character):
- Liked by critics and audience, but only appeared for 10 minutes.
- Felt like tokenism rather than genuine storytelling.
Nomi (Lashana Lynch's character):
- Given the 007 title after Bond's retirement.
- This move was seen as a "red flag" by fans, a statement to replace Bond's iconic code.
- Defined by undermining Bond ("I'm 007 now. Stay in your lane."), rather than being a capable spy in her own right.
Fan Reaction: Fans felt lectured, wanted to see "Bond being Bond," and perceived Waller-Bridge's involvement as a political statement about "fixing" a "problematic" character, breaking the fantasy of the franchise.

Role: Actress (Helena Shaw), not a writer or producer.
Perception: Due to her Bond reputation, her casting was seen as further evidence of replacing beloved icons.
Helena Shaw's Character:
- Indiana Jones's goddaughter, described as cheeky, smug, and portrayed as smarter than him.
- Waller-Bridge's acting was criticized for appearing condescending and insincere.
Harrison Ford/Indiana Jones:
- Given the "Luke Skywalker treatment," appearing as an aging, bitter, depressed relic.
- The film was criticized for propping up a younger, "diverse" replacement while making the original hero miserable.
Audience Response: Led to anger, as Waller-Bridge became the face of "feminism" and Hollywood's trend of replacing favorite characters in beloved franchises.

Massive Deal: Signed a significant deal with Amazon, with expectations for many projects.
Outputs:
- Narrated an "octopus documentary."
- Attached to an upcoming "Tomb Raider" series.
Conclusion: While still in demand and working, her "downfall" is reputational rather than a loss of work.

Symbol of Hollywood's "Worst Habits": Seen as embodying forced identity politics, tearing down established heroes, and propping up "smug replacements" under the guise of progress.
Impact: Became a symbol of a trend audiences hate, making a reputational comeback difficult.
Disclaimer: Acknowledged that she likely didn't "ruin" James Bond or "destroy cinema," but her symbolic role is significant.

last updated: 2025-10-13