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Portraying disability in action films can help raise awareness and dispel misinformation. Characters with disabilities in action films should be portrayed with good writing, avoiding clichés and exaggerated abilities. Many action film heroes with disabilities, such as Ed Elrich and Daredevil, inspire audiences with their courage and resilience.
Action movies have had great characters with disabilities for years, but they are often overlooked by audiences and misunderstood by screenwriters. As a result, many heroes with disabilities suffer from weak scripts, are underplayed, or are overly exaggerated in the form of a disability giving the character superpowers. It is commendable that the entertainment industry is making great strides to be more inclusive, but poor scripting often causes more harm than good. While representation in Hollywood is improving, the industry still needs to be careful about how it portrays different groups.
Diversity in action movies is especially important because they tend to be more widely accepted by general audiences than other genres of film. It is also important to cast disabled people in roles that have traditionally been played only by able-bodied people. It raises awareness of the many challenges members of the disability community face on a daily basis. Conversely, not properly representing members of that community can marginalize their presence. Although it doesn’t happen often, Hollywood has contributed to some of the best disabled action heroes over the years.
Ed Elrich is played by Ryosuke Yamada
Fullmetal Alchemist is about two brothers who suffer severe physical damage while trying to bring their parents back to life, and their journey to get everything back. One of the main characters of this anime, Edward Elrich, is well known as one of the best heroes in the history of Shonen Jump manga, mainly due to his lovable personality, loyalty to his loved ones, and creative supernatural powers. Moreover, despite losing an arm and a leg while trying to bring his parents back to life, Ed’s indomitable tenacity to do the right thing makes him one of the most inspiring heroes in action movies.
9. Chocolate (2008)
Zen is played by Jeeja Janin
Chocolate follows the protagonist, Zen, a feisty young woman with autism who embarks on an action-packed journey to resolve a financial dispute between her sick mother and a local gang. While there are examples of poor portrayals of autism in film, Chocolate bucks the trend by having Zen have no ridiculous superpowers or Mary Sue tendencies. Zen is seen working and training just as hard as a non-disabled action movie character, and she is triumphant through her exploits, which endears her to the audience. Additionally, her courage in taking on the gang that threatens her family is the result of good writing, not a cheesy gimmick.
8. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Don Cheadle plays the role of War Machine
Captain America: Civil War
Release date: May 6, 2016
Cast: Martin Freeman, Daniel Bruhl, Robert Downey Jr., Sebastian Stan, Elizabeth Olsen, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Evans, Paul Rudd, Frank Grillo, Scarlett Johansson, William Hurt, Paul Bettany, Anthony Mackie, Emily VanCamp, Tom Holland
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Captain America: Civil War is a tense, suspenseful tale of espionage and deception that sees many of the Avengers’ beloved members turn against one another as they try to uncover the truth. Considered one of Don Cheadle’s best works, the film sees the actor play War Machine, a colonel and right-hand man in the U.S. Air Force, and despite changes in the character, he remains consistent as a stern but loyal companion to those he trusts. In Captain America: Civil War, War Machine is severely injured in battle and is seen undergoing physical therapy and relearning how to walk for the remainder of the film.
While it’s a heartbreaking scene at first, it highlights not only War Machine’s tenacity as a soldier, but also as a human being. Throughout the MCU, audiences are treated to well-written drama, which often takes the form of the franchise’s world-ending crises, but the scene of Iron Man refusing to leave War Machine’s side in his time of greatest need stands out as one of the most dramatic moments in the series. As a result, audiences get to watch War Machine slowly but surely regain the use of his legs and his confidence in a truly well-thought-out and unforgettable way.
7. Planet Terror (2007)
Cherry Darling will be played by Rose McGowan.
Planet Terror
Robert Rodriguez has announced the action-horror, grindhouse-style film Planet Terror. Rose McGowan plays Cherry Darling, a go-go dancer who gets caught up in a chemical explosion that turns several humans into flesh-eating mutants and the military trying to stop it. Cherry replaces her missing leg with an assault rifle and decides to fight the horde.
The 2007 grindhouse film Planet Terror tells the story of Cherry Darling, a Texas go-go dancer who loses her right leg to a horde of zombies. While many other characters succumb to their predicament, Cherry decides to replace her missing leg with an assault rifle and a grenade launcher attachment and fights the zombies. Planet Terror is full of absurd moments, but they are meant to be laughed at and never humiliate or belittle Cherry. In fact, Cherry is the bravest character in the story and often inspires those around her.
6. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Sebastian Stan plays the Winter Soldier
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a political thriller in which Captain America uncovers a conspiracy surrounding him and his best friend, whom he once thought dead. At the time of his appearance, Winter Soldier has an impressive metal left arm that seems to control his mind. After some dramatic moments between him and Captain America, Winter Soldier eventually joins the Avengers and undergoes one of the best character arcs. Similar to War Machine, Captain America never abandons Winter Soldier, and this helps him transition from villain to hero. Although his metal arm was once a weapon of evil, he later uses it to help others.
RELATED: The original Daredevil was comic book’s first superhero with a disability
5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Donnie Yen will play the role of Chirrut Imwe.
In Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, a small resistance group battles the galaxy’s fearsome Imperial forces in a battle that is almost entirely in favor of the bad guys. Among that small resistance group is a blind warrior, Chirrut Imwe, who is brave and kind. Despite his visual impairment, Chirrut has a firm belief in the Force, and although this is never explicitly confirmed or denied, his martial arts prowess and ability to dodge oncoming attacks lead us to believe that the Force is indeed strong in him. Additionally, Chirrut is seen training and honing his skills, reminding viewers that effort is more important than the Force.
4. Zatōichi (2003)
Zatōichi is played by Takeshi Kitano
Zatoichi is a blind swordsman who wanders into the wrong town and finds himself caught up in the conflict between two opposing factions. Though he constantly tells people that he is neither a swordsman nor a hero, he reluctantly agrees to help the townspeople in order to bring peace back to the village. Despite being blind, Zatoichi is an exceptionally skilled swordsman, inspiring the townspeople and effectively striking fear in the hearts of the Yakuza. Additionally, Zatoichi constantly seeks to instill good morals in those who will listen, reinforcing the swordsman’s code of honor. Precise and deadly, Zatoichi’s skill and compassion make him a true action hero.
3. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
Donnie Yen plays the role of Kane
John Wick: Chapter 4
Release date: March 24, 2023
Directed by Chad Stahelski
Cast: Hiroyuki Sanada, Clancy Brown, Scott Adkins, Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Rina Sawayama, Donnie Yen, Lance Reddick, Shamier Anderson
John Wick: Chapter 4 is the latest installment in the John Wick series, in which protagonist Wick travels the world trying to overthrow the High Table and restore his honor and reputation. Among the great characters in John Wick: Chapter 4 is Caine, a blind assassin and former friend of Wick, who challenges the High Table to protect his daughter’s future. Caine’s speed, martial arts skills, and mastery of firearms and swords are the result of his rigorous training. Despite the blind assassin’s sordid past, he ultimately redeems himself by risking his life and reputation to help his old friend.
2 X-Men series (2000–present)
Charles Xavier/Professor X will be played by Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy.
X-Men
Release date: July 14, 2000
Director Bryan Singer
The X-Men series depicts the battle between good and evil mutants, with each side led by Professor X and Magneto. Regarded as one of the best leaders in Marvel movies, Professor X is not only one of the most powerful mutants in X-Men lore, but also one of the most compassionate. His true power seems to lie in his ability to inspire hope in the hearts of those around him. Throughout the series, Professor X is seen not only mentoring the young and impressionable mutants he chooses to mentor, but also doing the same for his enemies.
1. Daredevil (2015 – 2018)
Daredevil is played by Charlie Cox
daredevil
Release date: April 10, 2015
Season 3
Writer: Drew Goddard
Directed by Phil Abrahams, Stephen Surjik, Peter Hoar
Showrunner Steven S. DeKnight
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Daredevil is best known as a TV series hero, but was also made into a movie in 2003. Daredevil tells the story of a lawyer and vigilante who fights crime in the courtroom by day and takes to the streets of Hell’s Kitchen by night to exact his own justice. Daredevil is perhaps the best blind action hero out there, due to his fame, dedication to his role as the defender of New York, and incredible martial arts skills. Additionally, Daredevil often displays incredible bravery, usually fighting alone against numerous dangerous opponents. There are many characters with disabilities, but Daredevil is one of the best, as he perfectly embodies the best traits of a disabled hero as a fearless man.