AARP Hearing Center
![Geena Davis Interview Geena Davis against blueish purple ombre background](https://aarp.widen.net/content/sbu7yvzati/jpeg/1140-startalk-geenadavis-promo.jpg?crop=true&anchor=0,0&q=80&color=ffffffff&u=7xsf69&w=1140&h=655)
Oscar-winning actor Geena Davis, 68, is all about girl power. The star of seminal female-led films Thelma & Louise and A League of Their Own tells AARP she’s finally seeing a real shift in opportunities for women in Hollywood. “Studios have started hiring women directors for large-budget movies, and that’s very exciting,” she says. Case in point: Davis’ latest film — the psychological thriller Blink Twice, in theaters Aug. 23 — is directed by Zoë Kravitz. Davis shares what it was like working with Kravitz, her latest plan to compete at the Olympics, and how she and Susan Sarandon knew Brad Pitt was going to be a big star.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
![member card Image Alt Attribute](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/experience-fragments/uxdia-folder-structure/en/features/membership/inline-membership-promo/default/master5/_jcr_content/root/responsivegrid/container_copy/container/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.png/content/dam/uxdia/membership-card-d-and-t.png)
LIMITED TIME OFFER: Labor Day Sale!
Join AARP for just $9 per year with a 5-year membership and get a FREE Gift!
Blink Twice was Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut. How was it working with her?
Oh my God, you wouldn’t have known it. I mean, she is so smart and poised and self-assured, and knew exactly what she was doing, with such ease and charm. It was just an extraordinary experience. It was one of my best experiences with a director, for sure.
![Geena Davis stars with Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie in 'Blink Twice' Geena Davis standing outside wearing big hat and holding a bunch of red gift bags; Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie in the background with backs towards her](https://aarp.widen.net/content/ee0i1go5n0/jpeg/BT_15249_R.jpg?crop=true&anchor=0,135&q=80&color=ffffffff&u=7xsf69&w=2048&h=1177)
Thelma & Louise came out 33 years ago, yet it still feels relevant. Why do you think that is?
It still absolutely resonates. It is crazy. When that movie came out, all the press united in saying, “This will change everything. Now, we’re going to see so many movies starring female characters, female road pictures, whatever.” And I was like, “Wow, I’m in a movie that’s going to change everything.” It was so exciting. And sure enough, it didn’t. My very next movie was A League of Their Own, where the press all said, “Now we’re going to see so many more female sports movies, and everything’s going to change.” And it didn’t. And so every few years, a movie would come out starring a female and, oh, it was going to change everything. And it didn’t happen. But now it’s beginning to actually happen. And I give a lot of credit to the superhero movies like Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel and movies like that — where giant blockbuster action movies have hung on the shoulders of women.
Speaking of superhero movies, would you want to be in one?
Hell, yeah. Maybe I could be a villain.
You Might Also Like
Jodi Picoult: ‘When I Think About Myself, I’m Not 58, I’m 19’
Bestselling author talks new writing projects, keeping fit in her 50s, becoming a grandparent
Moon Unit Zappa Dishes on Memoir, ‘Earth to Moon’
Book reveals details of her childhood, career and sibling drama over family fortune
David Boreanaz Is Recovering from His ‘SEAL Team’ Stunts
Actor talks physical demands of the job, tapping into fear, and cooking with Martha StewartRecommended for You