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\"It is only by acting intentionally that we can create a world in which the stories that reach our screens better reflect the world we live in,\" the statement continued. \"When we act collectively, we can change norms and make it unacceptable for such gross gender imbalances to continue, whether in the director's chair or across any position in this industry.”

\"Crazy Rich Asians\" producer Nina Jacobson, Angela Robinson, Franklin Leonard, Paul Feig and Amy Schumer were also among some of the earliest members of Hollywood to commit to the challenge.

“Because only 4% of the top 100 studio films over the last DECADE have been directed by women, #TIMESUP is initiating a challenge, the 4% challenge, and I intend to take it: I commit to working with a female director in the next 18 months.” -@TessaThompson_x #TIMESUPX2 pic.twitter.com/GjsuqeryKj

— TIME'S UP (@TIMESUPNOW) January 26, 2019

Following their commitments and the release of the pledge, many actresses and actors followed suit and promised in social media posts to work on a project with one female director in the next 18 months, through social me.

Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez took to Twitter to announce she was on board, also mentioning her upcoming film.

\"I officially accept the #4percentchallenge to announce a project with a female director on a feature film in the next 18 months,\" she wrote on the platform. \"No better time to start than now with my new film #Hustlers directed by @lorenescafaria.\"

I officially accept the #4percentchallenge to announce a project with a female director on a feature film in the next 18 months. No better time to start than now with my new film #Hustlers directed by @lorenescafaria@inclusionists #TIMESUPX2

— Jennifer Lopez (@JLo) January 28, 2019

Actress Bryce Dallas Howard described that she was \"sickened\" by the statistics and urged people to take action.

\"Time is waaaay up. As an actor and director, I am sickened by these statistics. This needs to change NOW. I officially accept the #4percentchallenge to work with other female directors on a feature film in the next 18 months. @timesupnow Who is in?\" she wrote.

Time is waaaay up. As an actor and director, I am sickened by these statistics. This needs to change NOW. I officially accept the #4percentchallenge to work with other female directors on a feature film in the next 18 months. @timesupnow Who is in? pic.twitter.com/PWVEQ22zaC

— Bryce Dallas Howard (@BryceDHoward) January 27, 2019

ReFrame, a group founded by Women In Film with the Sundance Institute to increase gender parity, also supports the new Time's Up challenge.

Amy Baer, Board President of Women In Film, Los Angeles, expressed her approval in a statement to ABC News.

\"As an organization that has been fighting for female parity in the screen industries for over 45 years, Women In Film, Los Angeles is thrilled with TimesUp's 4% announcement and the enthusiasm with which it's been received,\" the statement reads.

\"The only way we will accomplish our collective goals is by approaching this issue from all sides, within the traditional media structures and outside of them,\" the statement continued. Fieg, Leonard and Jacobson are also ReFrame ambassadors.

Showrunner Shonda Rhimes explained that most of her work revolves around television, as opposed to film, but is still supportive of the idea.

So @byshondaland makes mostly TV but I fully support this challenge. Women directors make great art regardless of medium. And I find it’s quite easy to work with a female director — JUST HIRE ONE. #TIMESUPX2 #4percentChallenge I am here for this! Who else? https://t.co/z9V2Tm8VXO

— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 28, 2019

Other actors and actresses who have committed to honoring the pledge include Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Gina Rodriguez, Armie Hammer, Brie Larson, Constance Wu, Janet Mock, J.J. Abrams and Bad Robot and Jordan Peele.

You know I’m in!!!! https://t.co/uQaf5h9rzC

— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) January 27, 2019

The challenge supporting women in the film industry comes a month after Time's Up released a study examining top-grossing films in the U.S..

The study examined 350 films, released from January 2014 to December 2017, across all budgets, and found films with female leads outperformed male-led films.

Conducted by Los Angeles-based talent and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and shift7, a technology company, the study categorized the pictures into five budget levels: under $10 million, $10 million to $30 million, $30 million to $50 million, $50 million to $100 million, and over $100 million.

Movies with female leads grossed more money in every category.

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