Joss ... if you are reading this ... Mischa Barton ... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Buffysmglover | March 02, 13:54 CET

Is it just me or is there a tinge of 'Where the hell's my Wonder Woman script, Whedon ?' to Joel Silver's answer ? ;). Also, no offence to the lassie but Mischa Barton as WW ? Give us a break. Shouldn't she look more like, y'know, an Amazonian warrior princess than, say, stick-figure barbie ? (if Ms. Barton feels healthy then good for her but every time I see her I think 'Eat!' as loudly as I can at the screen).

Sounds positive about 'White Noise 2'. May give it a shot even tho' I haven't seen the first one (and probably won't).

Saje | March 02, 13:58 CET

As hot as I consider Mischa Barton is, she just lacks...the curves for Wonder Woman. Maybe if she gains another, 50 pounds, I'd consider it. :p

escapist_dream | March 02, 14:24 CET

Whilst i don't disagree that Mischa Barton lacks the physical form for Wonder Woman, i'm much more concerned with the fact she lacks any real acting ability as well.

But there again, maybe a wooden, stick figure barbie type actress is what they are looking for! PLEASE GOD NOOOOOO!!!!

Buffysmglover | March 02, 14:30 CET

If there's no finished script, I don't think they can really be talking to anyone about taking the role. That's what Joss keeps saying. Could this be another "Kristin saw the BDHs at the CW" story?

billz | March 02, 14:45 CET

Wait, Kristen saw the BDH's at the CW ? OMG ! It's back, it's back, Firefly is back. Shout it from the rooftops. No, I really don't see the need to verify anything. Let's not dwell on the negative, mm'K ? (I kid, we love you really Kristen ;).

Ah, I haven't seen Mischa Barton in anything (caught a few glimpses of The O.C but if it's not funny comic guy - Seth ? - on screen I turn over). Just assumed if she was in a meeting for the lead in a major motion picture that she'd have the chops. You know when I read that back, I'm really quite naive aren't I ?

Saje | March 02, 14:56 CET

Wonder Woman will have a few characters. I might even suggest several characters. Who will be played with actors, and sometimes cats, and sometimes professional cat actors. You heard it here first.

gossi | March 02, 15:06 CET

Ooh, 'professional cat actors'. That could be actors professional at being cats, cats who are professional actors... The permutations are literally, well, those.

And 'several' characters ? Talk about possibilities. It really opens the film up much more than if there were only 'a few'. Joss is indeed a genius.

That's why I love these little tidbits you drop us gossi, there's always so much to get your teeth into.

Saje | March 02, 15:13 CET

It also won't star Halle Berry as a professional cat actor. Well, probably.

It also won't star Halle Berry eating cat food. Well, hopefully. (Also? That's my favourite worst scene in a movie of recent years).

gossi | March 02, 15:25 CET

At least it will run in theatres for years if they use cats. I'm sorry, that's if they sing "Cats." Or Cat Stevens sings. Or are we just being catty? ;-)

billz | March 02, 15:47 CET

Cat Stevens? He's got a beard, man. They'll never let him into the US.

gossi | March 02, 16:07 CET

'Cat Stevens sings...'. Now there's an album idea ;). First up should be '... Once More With Feeling' (of course), possibly followed by '...the Blues' and maybe '...for his Supper'.

I think i'm going cat-atonic with all these references.

*tumbleweeds and the whistling of a cold, lonely wind*

Ahem. Crossed the line haven't I ? Sorry, i'll get my coat.

Saje | March 02, 16:12 CET

If y'all stick to the topic of the Wonder Woman script and casting, it would be appreciated.

Simon | March 02, 16:13 CET

Sorry, Simon. Seeing Mischa Barton's name in the same sentence as "Wonder Woman" just sent me into denial, that's all. ;-)

Now, on the other hand, if you dye her hair and give her lifts in her boots (because I think she's really short), wouldn't Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) just rock like hell in the role? :-)

billz | March 02, 16:20 CET

I'm not sure, billz. I loves me some Kristen Bell (also, she's kind of pretty) - but I'm not sure if she comes across as 'strong badass'. But then, I think a lot of that is down to the writing and directing.

gossi | March 02, 16:23 CET

'Cat Stevens sings ... W-W-W-W Wonder Woman !' ;).

(Sorry Simon, will do).

I think Famke Jansen would fit if she were a little younger. She's tall, brunette, can act and has previous superhero experience.

Or (as I think someone here previously suggested) Navi Rawat has the exotic good looks (unless you're from India, then it's just 'good looks') tho' i'm not sure how tall she is (I suppose if the actress was absolutely perfect for the part then height could be worked around).

Kristen Bell can certainly act but I think she has too much wisecracking, street-smart baggage to be a good fish-out-of-water. Plus, she's also kind of petite (tho' she totally comes across as 'strong badass' in VM just maybe not in the superhero fashion, more like a Marlowe-ish never quits kind of way).

Saje | March 02, 16:31 CET

Well, I do see your point, gossi. It's not like when Lucy Lawless walks on screen and you automatically know she's full-on badass, either an Amazon, an FBI agent {spoiler alert} or a Cylon. But maybe KB could pull it off. Or Morena could. Or Nathan could; heaven knows he's been whinging about wanting the role for long enough. ;-)

Seeing how unbelievably well Joss has cast his other shows with actors who were previously unknown but just kicked major ass in their roles, I trust him 100% to find the right WW, and those several other characters you mentioned, cat or otherwise. But of course that doesn't stop me from speculating away on it every time a new thread on the topic comes up! ;-)

ETA - Saje, I posted too slow to see your comment. I loves me some Famke Janssen (especially after her year in Nip/Tuck last season), but I would have the same "is she a fish out of water?" question about her.

[ edited by billz on 2006-03-02 14:41 ]

billz | March 02, 16:37 CET

Yeah, fair point billz, she maybe does seem a bit worldly wise (plus as I say, gorgeous and talented tho' she is, I think FJ's probably a bit too old for where the part's pitched). Agreed, she was great in Nip/Tuck tho'.

Morena could so utterly do it, if the height wasn't an issue. She totally looks the part and can go from sophisticated business woman to stammering love-sick girl in a heartbeat so I think she could pull off fish-out-of-water (and in some of the pictures i've seen where she's sans make-up she looks very young and innocent so some physical range there too).

Nathan has the legs for it but I just worry if his hair would grow out in time. A bad wig could destroy the franchise before it even gets going.

Saje | March 02, 17:00 CET

Re: casting. It all depends how much say Joss will have. Warner Bros and Joel Silver might have far more power in this decision making. But as long as the actress isn't chosen because she appeals to a certain demographic, I think we'll be fine.

Simon | March 02, 17:02 CET

It wouldn't surprise me if somebody like Katie Holmes was cast. And the Joss fandom would go wild, burning things and stealing cars (or there abouts). But the thing I think a lot of people forget is that somebody like Katie is actually quite talented - if she has a good part (see also: well written). And the part is Joss' responsibility, which I'm fine with.

If a 'named' actor is chosen, I'm sure there will be a lot of complaining no matter who the name is - but the proof will be on the screen.

(Also, having met Morena, I'd say height isn't much of a problem. In terms of Wonder Woman, she has my vote so completely).

gossi | March 02, 17:23 CET

Well, not sure what to think... I mean, Mischa Barton is not exactly what I had in mind. I mean, I'm confident in her abilities as an actress but she just doesn't have the bone structure to carry that role. Cause it's rather her skeletal build than anorexia or something of that sort that makes her look so skinny, she can't really help it, which in turn gives us the problem that gaining weight won't make her look the part any more than she does now. She has a great build for a supermodel, but not so great build for an amazonian warrior goddess. Sorry Mischa...
But if she nails the audition and Joss believes she's the Wonder Woman he's been searching for I'll support that. I'm putting my trust in you Joss.

Edit: I agree Gossi, Katie would be a very good choice. Just take a look at movies like Go, Pieces of April or possibly even Abandon (the fact that people don't like that movie is not her fault but rather Stephen Gaghan's). The girl can act, she just needs the right backing. Even though I prefer Morena aswell.

[ edited by Djungelurban on 2006-03-02 15:28 ]

Djungelurban | March 02, 17:24 CET

"You're a bad girl. A bad bad girl." "No. I'm not."

Pieces of April is a fantastic film.

gossi | March 02, 17:31 CET

Yeah, Katie Holmes could do it. Pieces if April is indeed excellent (everyone's good but Holmes, Oliver Platt and Patricia Clarkson were fantastic). I actually thought 'Abandon' had some good bits tho' I figured the twist fairly early on and it didn't quite hang together as a complete film. Also, Holmes' part in 'The Gift', small as it was, showed she could play more than girl-next-door or quirky-girl-next-door fairly convincingly.


Really, gossi ? She always looked fairly short on screen but then I guess she's standing next to Nathan and Adam Baldwin (both fairly big chaps). If she has the height (yep, just checked IMDB and it has her as nearly 5'8" so with heels she'd be up around 6 foot) then I don't see a good reason not to go with her, if possible. Is morenaforwonderwoman.com still available ? ;)

Saje | March 02, 17:59 CET

The rumour about Mischa Barton is, of course, just a bit of entertainment gossip. There might be some foundation to it, although I tend to take a rather cynical view of these things. Gossip, rumour and speculation works because you can pretty much say anything you like with no need to actually back it up. Maybe she genuinely is a contender, but those who would not want to see Barton secure this role probably don't need to become too despondent, just yet, and anyone who would cheer her involvement should probably wait a bit longer before celebrating the news.

As to the question of the physique of the actress who is eventually chosen for the role, I would imagine this might prove to be an issue for some no matter who it is, depending on how important such things are deemed to be. Female actors in Hollywood tend to be on the, shall we say, skinny side, as a general rule. I know Morena Baccarin would be a very popular choice with a lot of people here but she isn’t exactly about to enter any bodybuilding competitions!

Whoever is eventually cast won’t please everyone, but just maybe Joss Whedon as director will be able to use his skills to draw out a great performance from whoever it ends up being. Personally, I think Germaine Greer is Wonder Woman, so maybe she should get it!

alien lanes | March 02, 18:17 CET

Every time a WW rumor thread appears, I have to add my two cents...Charisma Carpenter, dammit!

Calledon | March 02, 19:43 CET

Dude, I'm with Calledon.

Charisma *is* Diana.

As much as I love Kristen Bell....I see her more as Supergirl than Wondy, even with the darker hair. (Coz, SG's alter-ego is a brunette too. Or, umm, was.)

I really do hope they go the BB way and the SR way and choose an unknown...or...not.

Just...anyone but Mischa Barton. If it has to be The OC, I'd totally prefer Rachel Bilson with blue contacts. (Plus, okay, she's already worn the Wondy costume once and she appeared in an ep of Buffy, hehehe.)

Emma Frost | March 02, 20:25 CET

Morena!!!!!!!!!

April | March 02, 20:46 CET

Spike!!!

No, wait. Judy Dench! No, wait, I stole that joke.

gossi | March 02, 21:26 CET

I'd fight for Morena or Charisma. Both damn good choices, and I can definitely see them wearing the costume very well(and look amazing). Rachel Bilson did wear it well in that one episode of the OC, but from what I hear, WW must be tall.

Danica | March 02, 22:03 CET

Emma Frost - I was thinking Rachel Bilson too. Funny, already rocked the costume on the OC, supposedely not a pill - and... unlike Mischa she has more than one facial expression.

bravegal | March 02, 22:50 CET

Forget Dame Judi...I say Bob Hoskins! Still reeling from his full frontal nude scene in "Mrs. Henderson Presents," and as a short, slightly stocky balding Jewish guy myself, I feel that NOT hiring him as Wonder Woman would be rank discrimination, and probably anti-semitism as well.

bobster | March 03, 00:19 CET

Lol, does this mean that Morgan Freeman is out of the running?

Emma Frost | March 03, 00:34 CET

Well, if you want tall and strong, there's Uma Thurman, but she may not be the right age. Charlize Theron now has "baggage" (even though Aeon Flux wasn't her fault, really). Hmm, although I was starting to like Nathan for this, Saje was right about the wig. Shame about Morgan Freeman, too -- I would pay to see him in anything! ;-)

But, seriously -- Morena is 5'8"? Hey, I think we found our Woman! ;-)

billz | March 03, 00:59 CET

I totally agree about Mischa Barton. Aside from the fact that she looks like every other thin, blonde actress out at the moment, there is the fact that she is an incredibly poor and unengaging actress, and I honestly don't think she has the acting ability or charisma to hold the weight of an entire film on her shoulders, unless its some dumb teen movie.

Razor | March 03, 01:34 CET

Oh, I totally vote for either Morena och Charisma.

Mischa Barton, no thanks.

carinson | March 05, 18:05 CET