In a recent show of just why the opinions of ‘general audiences’ should not be given much weight in creative endeavors, the winners of the 2024 People’s Choice Awards have been announced, and among the names of this year’s winners is The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes star Rachel Zegler, who has been awarded the title of Action Movie Star of the Year.
The prestigious show, which has been running annually for the last 49 years, took place on February 18th and saw audiences honoring Zegler over other notable action stars such as Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning: Part One and Keanu Reeves in John Wick 4. Along with Zegler, other nominees in the category included Viola Davis for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Gal Gadot for Heart of Stone, and Brie Larson for The Marvels, among others.
In her acceptance speech, Zegler thanked her fans for their support and acknowledged how important it is to have a fanbase when working in the industry.
She went on to thank the people behind the scenes who made the film happen, including director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson. Zegler also gave a special mention to her A-camera operator, Dave Thompson, who had the challenging task of capturing all the action shots while attached to a heavy, bulky camera.
The 2024 People’s Choice Awards also saw some other big names taking home awards, including Jason Momoa for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Chris Pratt for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Viola Davis for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. However, it was Zegler’s win that raised some eyebrows and incited reactions from fans and industry professionals alike.
Many have questioned the decision behind Zegler’s win, pointing out that it may have been influenced by her predominantly young female fanbase, who are known for their strong presence on social media and online voting platforms. This raises concerns about the weight of the opinions of mainstream audiences in regards to creative and technical achievements, as opposed to an appreciation of the medium itself.
Zegler’s win has sparked debates about the impact of fan campaigns and social media buzz on the industry. This year, we have seen a trend of creative decisions being made with the fanbases in mind, rather than for the sake of the film or its overall success. This can be seen in films like The Marvels and The Flash, which have received backlash for their focus on fan service and cameos rather than telling a compelling story.
Zegler’s win serves as a reminder that when it comes to creative endeavors, it is important to prioritize the quality and substance of the work over fan campaigns and online votes. It is the films that treat their subject matter, medium, and audiences with respect that ultimately prove to be cultural and financial successes, as demonstrated by the John Wick franchise.
As Zegler’s next big Hollywood role, Disney’s Snow White, is currently in post-production for a March 21st, 2025 release, it will be interesting to see the reaction of audiences and critics to her portrayal of the iconic princess.
Hopefully, the film will not fall prey to pandering to fan opinions and will instead focus on delivering a compelling and respectful retelling of the classic tale.