Interview (Written): Lindsey Beer, Geneva Robertson-Dworet, and Amanda Silver

A trio of top writers whose projects include big-budget movies including the Tomb Raider reboot, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and Godzilla vs. Kong.

A Hollywood Reporter interview between screenwriters Lindsey Beer (Barbie, Godzilla vs. Kong), Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Tomb Raider, Captain Marvel), and Amanda Silver (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Jurassic World).

On what makes a great block-­buster heroine

SILVER Growing up, we all had favorite movies that were made by and starred men, but you squint and take on the male point of view and you enjoy it. It should work in the reverse. The female heroine should be allowed to be just as relatable for everybody, which means she will be flawed. Perfection is boring, man.

BEER Female characters also need to have motivations that aren’t just a man or children. I know a male screenwriter who said he could think of 300 motivations for his male character, but all he could think about for his female character was that she had kids to go save. It’s just a subconscious bias. I fall into the same thing.

ROBERTSON-DWORET I hate the setup [for men] where the nuclear weapon is about to go off, and you can either stop that or save your girlfriend. And they go save the girlfriend! Of course, they also stop the nuclear bomb. But I always think, “Wouldn’t your girlfriend want you to save the city? Or is she the most selfish person ever? Why do you even date her?”

On changing the equation

SILVER You can’t really define the “female perspective,” but simple math tells you that if more women are writing and directing, a female perspective will emerge.

ROBERTSON-DWORET My first four jobs, I was only hired by female executives at various companies. They took the risk on me.

BEER In general, studios need to be less risk-averse. You give a female a chance, and you get Wonder Woman. You give diverse voices a chance, and you get Get Out.

For the rest of the Hollywood Reporter interview, go here.