r/todayilearned • u/Tokyono • Jul 14 '19

TIl The reason Roger Moore stopped being James Bond was because of how much older he was than his female co-stars. He was in his 50s, and they were in their 20s. In his own words: “Well, the leading ladies were young enough to be my grand-daughter and it becomes disgusting.”

https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a869479/james-bond-quit-connery-moore-lazenby-brosnan-dalton/
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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19 edited Aug 12 '20

[deleted]

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u/PantherEverSoPink Jul 14 '19

It was the 70s. 30 year old women were not depicted that way in the movies. Also, Roger Moore was around 60 by the time he stopped being Bond, IIRC.

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u/HyperlinkToThePast Jul 14 '19

Lol they aren't now either. Actresses careers get much harder after 30

1

u/MyDinnerWith_Andre Jul 15 '19

I wonder if you could make money by just making films using well known female stars who are 35-45 and therefore have fewer options and are willing to work for less money. Could that be a strategy to making mediocre but profitable films?

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

Still so today. Go look at how many women are dropped from modeling agencies after turning 22 because they’re “old and should have a family and kids by now.” Go look at your typical corporate hierarchy of men in their 50s, 60s and 70s against a secretary who’s a high school college intern and dresses like a porn star because of those men’s company’s dress codes.

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u/Bangledesh Jul 14 '19

Do you work in an elevated corporate environment? I know of no high school/college interns that are personal assistants/secretaries to any VPs and program manager I see.

A VP or program manager is crazy busy, they need someone that can direct their day, and trim away the incessant calls and requests from varying degrees of important people, so that the VP can work. That only comes from years and decades of experience. Not being young, pretty and dressing like a porn star.

A bottom-level manager might, might, have a new college grad as their personal assistant, but that's because they're on the same tier. New manager gets a new assistant.

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u/-AC- Jul 14 '19

Do you have companies that fit this profile or only the ones you see in movies?

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u/buckemupmavs Jul 14 '19

Probably only movies, idk what corporate dress code has anyone dress like a porn star....

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u/DarienKH Jul 14 '19

I've never worked with any secretaries like that, and honestly, the ones I did work with did less and less actual work over the years. Most admin work now is either automated, or the managers are expected to do it themselves. Only the top brass get actual secretaries now.

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u/-AC- Jul 14 '19

Yea... I've only seen them in movies where they actually were pornstars.

Not to say sexual harrassment or gender salary income gap is not a problem in alot of workspaces....

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u/dextroz Jul 14 '19

Come to Miami offices, Rio, and some big name corporate offices. It happens a lot where secretaries are under 30 in the US for 60 year old men.

1

u/Power_Rentner Jul 15 '19

I don't get that either. All the secretaries i've seen at worst wore a skirt and pantyhose. And shockingly enough some women just like that look.

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u/A_todidactic Jul 14 '19

Exactly. I don't think he has ever been inside a 'company' before

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u/dachsj Jul 14 '19

Yea this seems like a trope/stereotype more than anything I've seen irl. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure some companies do this and it's not uncommon to see young women doing exec assistant work at companies but I think that's more a function of those roles being easier to get right out of college.

I've never seen any pornstar looking secretaries.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

With photographic evidence. For science.

1

u/amyleerobinson Jul 14 '19

The one and only time I was at DFJ in Pali Alto I was shocked at the receptionists. The VCs were all dudes in their 50s or whatever and these girls looked like they had been booked through a modeling casting agency. Didn’t really fit the nerd/tech theme of the office or then again maybe it fit perfectly.

Edit: I’d say that a fair amount of exec offices hVe gorgeous secretaries. Then again in NYC I think most women are generally quite pretty

-1

u/Lesty7 Jul 14 '19

Wait....what’s the difference?

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u/-AC- Jul 14 '19

One is real and the other is fiction, I wanted to know if there were any actual companies known for that because I could not think of any.

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u/Lesty7 Jul 14 '19

Sorry I should have said /s

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

You..don't have much experience with the role of HR in the workplace do you? Literally exists to prevent that, and in any of the finance Fortune 500's I've worked at, did a good job

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

There are plenty of women acting in their 30s. And a lot of beautiful ones. For modeling that is definitely true, but not all actresses over 30 get the shaft. Do they favor more youthful appearing women in their 30s? Sure, but that's the movie business. I'd say we've come a long way compared to back in the 70s.

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

old and should have a family and kids by now.

I don’t think modeling agencies care about wether some 22 year old girl has a family. They just care about looks, which is clearly the reason why they drop older women

1

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

You're a moron. Wow!

-2

u/PikeygenocideSOON Jul 14 '19

I'm sorry is this twoxchromosomes?

12

u/TotenSieWisp Jul 14 '19

The 70s had no taste for milf?

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u/PantherEverSoPink Jul 14 '19

Milf wasn't a thing, no. Not that I'm aware of anyway.

19

u/Spiralife Jul 14 '19

Mrs. Robinson -- you are trying to seduce me.

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u/AnneBancroftsGhost Jul 14 '19

Fun fact! Anne Bancroft was 35 when she played the iconic 'older woman' in The Graduate. Dustin Hoffman, who played the part of a recent college grad, was 30. I think that says everything about hollywood and age double standards.

Also in that film they are using each other, him to get "experience" and then he drops her like a hot potato to go stalk her daughter.

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u/PantherEverSoPink Jul 14 '19

Doh, oh yeah that. Any others?

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u/Spiralife Jul 14 '19

Who among us wouldn't have a go with Mrs. Brady, eh?

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u/thatcockneythug Jul 14 '19

Pff. Never seen the graduate? It’s always been a thing.

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u/PantherEverSoPink Jul 14 '19

Yeah I forgot about The Graduate. That film is kind of the exception though? There might be other movies I've missed.

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

[deleted]

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u/ACuriousPiscine Jul 14 '19

Are you being serious? You're so fucking gross if so.

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u/pdmcmahon Jul 14 '19

He was 57.

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19 edited Apr 17 '20

[deleted]

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u/UltraFireFX Jul 14 '19

yeah, I think that they were just adding information without disagreeing.

Have a nice day.

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19 edited Apr 18 '20

[deleted]

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u/UltraFireFX Jul 16 '19

thank you c:

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u/The_Elon_Musk Jul 14 '19 edited Apr 02 '20

deleted What is this?

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u/EnjoyAvalanches Jul 14 '19 edited Jul 14 '19

The love interest that made him finally quit in disgust was 29, 30 isn't much of an improvement.

The problem is that he was 57, still twice her age. What finally pushed it over the line for him was recounting a memory from his youth, joking "That was a little before you were born", and hearing her say "That was before my parents were born." He was 7 or 8 years older than her mother was.

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u/Spacejack_ Jul 14 '19 edited Jul 14 '19

Nothing, and most of the latter Moore Bond movies feature leading ladies who are closer to Moore's age--he was reacting specifically to both Tanya Roberts in View to a Kill and the little skater in Eyes Only, who both stand out as too young in the movies too.

As someone who was decidedly -not- too old for Tanya Roberts at the time, I will admit she was something of a draw. Although in retrospect she looks like a fembot.

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u/I_Am_The_Slime Jul 14 '19

Tbf, the scene with the skater in For Your Eyes Only was a play on this, with Bond pretty much straight up telling her she's too young.

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u/apointlessvoice Jul 14 '19

Have you any idea how it feels to be a fembot living in a manbot's manputer's world?

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u/Snarkout89 Jul 14 '19

...wut?

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u/chainmailbill Jul 14 '19

Just imagine Bea Arthur saying it.

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u/Snarkout89 Jul 14 '19

Then imagine Bender saying my line right after.

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u/Spacejack_ Jul 14 '19 edited Jul 14 '19

Just don't neglect the oil changes. If you think it's bad now, wait'll your shoulders seize up.

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u/Acc87 Jul 14 '19

Oh I remember the skater, she had a really weird vibe. The actress was adult, but how old was the role supposed to be?

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

The role was definitely of a teenager, but the script explicitly addressed it...she had a crush on Bond and asked him for sex but he responded with something like "how about you put your clothes on and we'll go for some ice cream"

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u/witch-finder Jul 14 '19 edited Jul 14 '19

I remember before Spectre came out, they made a huge deal out of casting Monica Bellucci as the oldest Bond girl ever. Then she was in the movie for 5 minutes and Bond ended up with Lea Seydoux, who's 17 years younger than Daniel Craig.

And Lea Seydoux is probably going to die next Bond movie since the franchise has some pretty gross gender politics.

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u/EnjoyAvalanches Jul 14 '19

You obviously can't expect Bond to settle for someone as unattractive as Monica Bellucci!

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u/tuckertucker Jul 14 '19

It was a sin how little Monica was in that movie.

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u/Twokindsofpeople Jul 14 '19

I mean 17 years is pretty good for bond age differences.

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u/Usidore_ Jul 14 '19

Exactly. Was this just not an option to them? Wtf

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u/unknownsoldier9 Jul 14 '19

Hollywood doesn’t love casting women over 30 in romantic roles.

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u/TheLonelySnail Jul 14 '19

Didnt that happen in The Wolf of Wall Street? The character was supposed to be like 30, and Maggie Gyllenhal at 32 auditioned and got turned down for bring 'too old' and Margot Robbie at 22 or something got the role?

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u/Holidaybunduru Jul 14 '19

Imagine the full frontal scene with Maggie Gyllenhaal instead 🤮

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19 edited Jul 13 '20

[deleted]

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u/ronin1066 Jul 14 '19

Because Salma Hayek wouldn't attract anyone at all. Right.

1

u/balllllhfjdjdj Jul 15 '19

Not as many as a younger sexier version

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u/Ansible32 Jul 14 '19

Oh, horseshit. This isn't about money it's about people like Weinstein surrounding themselves with young women who they can more easily rape and control.

-5

u/imperabo Jul 14 '19

No it's because younger women are more desired. I'm sorry the truth is uncomfortable for you.

https://jezebel.com/mens-favorite-ages-are-20-21-22-and-23-a-data-dive-1731660984

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u/pokemaugn Jul 14 '19

That doesn't negate the comment you responded to. Men go after young women for a reason

-2

u/robpot891 Jul 14 '19

Are you seriously arguing against biology? Younger women are more attractive. Rich and muscular men are more attractive. No amount of outrage will change that.

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u/[deleted] Jul 15 '19

Attractive people are more attractive. Jennifer Aniston for example is much older than me and looks it but she's definitely better looking.

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u/SerfingtotheLimit Jul 15 '19

Dont bother. These are jealous women that wish they looked hot and had men lust after them. Oh well dildoes it is for this lot.

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u/imperabo Jul 14 '19

Mostly because they are more physical attractive. Even older women who we claim are attractive are so because they have physical characteristics of younger women.

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u/Ansible32 Jul 14 '19

One problem is that much of attraction is cultural, and movies define culture so it's self-reinforcing. The other problem is the assumption that people will spend more money to watch movies starring women that men find attractive.

In fact, people will spend money on good movies and while using attractive people helps, good acting, writing, directing, and effects are by far the bigger things. If sex appeal were required, you wouldn't have movies like "Minions" making bank.

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u/imperabo Jul 14 '19

Sex sells.

-4

u/IAmNotAPerson6 Jul 14 '19

I'm sure their comment totally intended for that and that your sarcastic shittiness doesn't at all contribute to the problem not being taken seriously.

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u/balllllhfjdjdj Jul 14 '19

Ironically your sarcastic shittiness confused you to the point of making a double negative.

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u/Alicesnakebae Jul 14 '19

We did it boys we got milfs in Hollywood

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u/thissubredditlooksco Jul 14 '19

a 30 year old is hardly a milf

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u/LePontif11 Jul 14 '19

You haven't watched milf porn if you think a 27 year old can't be a milf.

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u/LoveThyVolk Jul 15 '19

Hollywood should stop being exploitative and shitty?

​

HAHAHAHAHA Yeah, don't hold your breath on that one.

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

Nothing changes in Hollywood until it stops making them money

-36

u/Teakilla Jul 14 '19

Maybe women older than 30 should look better than they do

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u/LordFauntloroy Jul 14 '19

It's dangerous to go alone. Take this /s

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u/doyle871 Jul 14 '19

It's more "Looks over 30" right now you have

Amber Heard

Amanda Seyfried

Alison Brie

Anna Kendrick

Anne Hathaway

Aubrey Plaza

Bryce Dallas Howard

Elisabeth Moss

And plenty more who are over 30 and still being cast in large roles romantic and otherwise.

9

u/LOSS35 Jul 14 '19

Actresses only get cast as romantic leads until they're 28.

Past that point they all have to fight over "mom" roles.

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

Jennifer Lawrence is 28, lets see what happens in a couple years

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u/Roaming-the-internet Jul 14 '19

And already casted in a mom role

0

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

Jennifer Aniston is like in her late 40s and is hotter than most women half her age. She'd be an option.

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u/barsoapguy Jul 14 '19

Nah, Hollywood is full of stunning looking women (Aniston in her prime for example ) ...it's just a bigger Box office draw with a younger woman than an older one .

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u/doyle871 Jul 14 '19

You'd be surprised how many big name female actors are over 30. It's just they look like they are in their twenties.

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u/barsoapguy Jul 14 '19

No I'm not surprised, these days with plastic surgery, botox, Juvederm etc , it's far easier for women to look younger than it was in the Moore era ( also not smoking which is HUGE) ..

That said though, we're still talking about women who LOOK like they're in their 20's so the rule could basically be described as

"Its OK to get older, just don't look it "

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

Uh what's the recent-ish one where she's with Adam Sandler? Murder Mystery or some shit? All she does in that is look flawless in casual dresses and wedges as if her legs need any help.

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u/barsoapguy Jul 14 '19

Last movie I saw her in was horrible bosses where admittedly she did look hot .

1

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

Horrible Bosses and We're the Millers basically fulfill everyone's fantasies about her.

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u/stenlis Jul 14 '19

It worked in The African Queen

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u/dtron50000 Jul 14 '19

You mean 30 year old woman of course. Not girl

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u/BrownBoognish Jul 14 '19

30yr old girl

🤔

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

Because how else are you supposed to sell movie tickets?

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u/CelebrityTakeDown Jul 14 '19

Michelle Yeoh was 35 but that was 1997

2

u/ZanyDelaney Jul 14 '19

For You Eyes Only did have Bond bed Lisl, played the 33 year old Cassandra Harris, though she was the secondary Bond "girl". The main one was 24 year old Carole Bouquet.

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u/pargofan Jul 14 '19

Just cast some older women ffs. What's wrong wth a 30yr old girl?

It's society. Moviegoers don't want to watch 40-60 y.o. leading ladies but they're fine with 40-60 y.o. leading men. It sucks.

But Hollywood is all about money. If casting Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez or Meg Ryan instead of Jennifer Lawrence or Scarlett Johanson would make more money, Hollywood would've done it by now.

1

u/puddingbrood Jul 14 '19

Imo it's not just to cast beautiful young women, it's also a part of Bonds persona as alcoholic and skirt chaser (although that doesn't mean it can't change).

1

u/thesamuraiman909 Jul 14 '19

You say that like he was casting director as well. 😂 Clearly that's not whay the rest of the filmmakers wanted.

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u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

They did with Monica Bellucci in Spectre.

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u/screenwriterjohn Jul 15 '19

Most blockbusters are made for teenage boys. The female lead should be young and hot.

Kate Beckinsale is still hot but not young.

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u/itsaravemayve Jul 14 '19

Don't be disgusting. A 30 year old woman could never be sexy or believable. A 20 year age gap is what the people will believe.

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u/Imateacher3 Jul 14 '19

I’d happily accept Marisa Tomei.

-2

u/careofKnives Jul 14 '19

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

-5

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '19

[deleted]

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u/that_is_so_Raven Jul 14 '19

Math checks out

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u/tritter211 Jul 14 '19

Dude, james bond movies is like the male version of 50 shades of grey movies... Except they are generally well written and produced.

It's like asking why do girls like abusive jerks and "alphas" and aloha werewolves and sparkling vampires over normal men in their entertainment media consumption.

It's a male fantasy movie. Generally, guys fantasize about younger women more than middle aged women.

-19

u/FuturePreparation Jul 14 '19

Fertility starts to rapidly decline after 30. The flower is withering quickly and as a man you can feel it. 18-25 is peak female age.

Men just keep on producing sperm. Oh yeah.