Elizabeth Banks Got Told ‘You Can’t Direct Men’ Because ‘They Won’t Follow You’ as a Woman Filmmaker

Apr 23, 2026 2:08pm PT Elizabeth Banks Got Told ‘You Can’t Direct Men’ Because ‘They Won’t Follow You’ as a Woman Filmmaker

By Zack Sharf

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Zack Sharf

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Elizabeth Banks recently appeared on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” to promote her Peacock comedy series “The Miniature Wife” and was asked about times she was made to feel small as an actor, director and producer in Hollywood. She didn’t hesitate to remember being told that she could not direct male actors if she were to step behind the camera.

“I was literally told because I direct films that, ‘You can’t direct men. They won’t follow you,'” Banks said. “And then I directed Ray Liotta, who played Henry Hill in ‘Goodfellas,’ and I think I nailed it. Check. It’s all good.”

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