Vanessa Hudgens as Marvel’s Spider-Woman?
Apr 23, 2010 by Kofi OutlawMarvel is making movies based on its lesser-known characters and rumor is that Spider-Woman is one of those movies, with High School Musical‘s Vanessa Hudgens being eyed to star.
So either I’m starting to develop a certain amount of clairvoyance about the movie biz, or the ‘Rant is starting to really influence the powers that be. Just yesterday we reported that Marvel is making movies based on their lesser-known heroes, and in that post, I pitched a list of characters I believed would be perfect for the small-scale films Marvel is angling to make.
Among the names on my list was Spider-Woman, a.k.a. Jessica Drew. Now, a day later, we’re hearing rumor that a Spider-Woman movie may in fact be in the works, with none other than High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens being eyed for the titular role.
The report comes by way of MTV UK, which claims that Hudgens is the current frontrunner in a pool of actresses being considered for Spider-Woman. Check out the quote from MTV UK’s “movie insider” source:
“The idea is for this to be a fun, comedic movie and Vanessa is perfect for the title role..Spider Woman is strong and sexy but in this case hilarious.Vanessa is apparently very interested in the idea,”
When it was reported that Marvel was going to be taking these lesser-known heroes and using them to make small-scale movies ($20-40 million budgets), the blogosphere reaction (including my own) was that this would be a positive thing. Less money circling the films would likely mean new faces in the starring roles and emerging talent in the director’s chair. The hope was also that with smaller budgets, the filmmakers would have to be more creative with their visions (see: District 9, made for about $30 million).
However, this Spider-Woman RUMOR is a definite step down the wrong path. Hudgens is far from being an unknown actress, and the bubble gum teen icon is certainly not any fanboy or girl’s top choice (or even tenth choice) to play Spider-Woman.
More to the point: When I pitched Spider-Woman as a great candidate for a “Marvel Indie Movie” (I’m officially coining that term, Btw) it was because I thought the history of the character would make for a great cinematic story.
In the most recent telling of her origin, Spider-Woman gets her powers from an experiment her pregnant mother and father were working on, involving human/spider DNA. Jessica Drew grew up an orphan who is eventually recruited and trained by the terrorist organization HYDRA to be a super-powered spy and assassin. Of course after that bad start she does a heroic 180°, becoming a private investigator, and agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and eventually an Avenger.
From that origin I just described, how do you get a “fun, comedic movie” starring a teen bubble gum queen? Suffice to say, I’m praying this RUMOR is strictly that.
Spider-Woman would (and should) be gripping spy/action/thriller movie. Done right, it would introduce a whole new corner of the Marvel Universe to moviegoers (the HYDRA and A.I.M. terrorist sector – basically the bad guy versions of S.H.I.E.L.D.), one that has peripheral ties to a lot of other Marvel characters, including Iron Man, Wolverine (he has a history with HYDRA’s leader, Viper), The Avengers and of course, the obvious parallels to Spider-Man.
The film would also introduce us to a character who has enjoyed a great resurgence in the Marvel Universe as of late. Jessica Drew is a fantastic character because she’s not your stereotypical “pure hero.” Her powers (especially her love potion pheromones and lethal “venom sting”) make her the spy/assassin version of Spider-Man, and because of her shady past, her motives and morals are, at best, always gray. A film following her turn from bad girl to hero (with an ambiguous finale about whether she’s truly playing for the good guys), would not only make for a good movie, but also a great launchpad into other Marvel Movie crossover events (Spider-Woman vs. Black Widow anyone?).
For me it’s an absolute NO THANKS on Vanessa Hudgens playing this role. If I had my pick, I’d give the part right to Smallville alum Kristin Kreuk. Forgetting about that Chun-Li fiasco, Kreuk has grown a lot since her Smallville days and has that good girl/bad girl duplicity that would make for a great Jessica Drew.
Again, let’s hope this Hudgens playing Spider-Woman talk is JUST RUMOR. Marvel, we love the idea of “Marvel Indie Movies” but steer the ship right – we DO NOT want to end up with another Elektra.
How do you feel about this RUMOR? Do you agree that a Spider-Woman movie should be in the vein of Bourne-meets-Spider-Man? Do you think the character even deserves her own film? And who should play her?
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Vanessa Hudgens, yeah this does smell like Disney's BS. Plus acting chops is a must but you also gotta get an actress that can fill in that suit perfectly.
Not sure about Catherine Zeta Jones, but at least you're heading in the right direction. The character had a career as a spy before she became Spiderwoman. You don't become a career spy overnight. She's got to be at least in her early 30's.
Which is also my problem with Scarlett as Black Widow. Granted Black Widow is special in that she doesn't age like other people, but she was still a little girl in the '40s. She shouldn't look 22.
I just read rob keyes article about the iron man “easter egg”, maybe olivia munn will be spider woman if she is not going to possibly portray the wasp which I read might be eva longoria unless that has been denied by eva or marvel
Kreuk would be my choice as well
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I keep hearing High School Musical cast people keep getting mentioned for roles really unsuited for them. Zak Efron as Jack Sparrows son. Vanessa Hudgens as Wonder Woman. Please evil Disney, dont pollute in already muddied water. Marvel has proven that they know one of the very best ways to capture an audience is getting the pivotal actor to bring a great protrayal of character to screen. I am a comic book fan and Brian Michael Bendis, the recent architect of Marvels storylines, Secret Invasion, and Dark Reign did a lot to make sense of this character that as other posters have said has a convoluted history and a very contradictory origins story. Even this great writer would have many challenges in scripting a Jessica Drew movie. But a comedy starring Vanessa Hudgens, ouch. So I guess a Dazzler movie starring Ashley Tisdale would be next.
Bad movie choice for Marvel when we have more prominent and viable characters to pick from. They should check out Elektra and Catwoman sales and think seriously about this. Not being chauvinist here, just questioning Spider-Woman popularity. Even arguably the most popular female character, Wonder Woman, needs to be handled with care. Do your feasibility studies first, Marvel! You're in here for business.
I would rather go for a hot-headed, arrogant Sub-Mariner movie with, maybe, Dwayne Johnson in lead role.
Yikes!!! Hope this is only a rumor. Deep in my heart of hearts, I was hoping olivia Munn's cameo in IM2 was going o be as Jessica Drew but now those hopes may be dashed.
Well seeing Vanessa in a skin tight suit would be worth 10 bucks alone, but then again seeing Kristin in one would too. I like the idea of a Spider Woman movie.
I like this discussion point, but I must agree with Kofi. I approve of the casting choices in all the cases mentioned. I'll admit to cautious optimism about Chris Evans. Picking him for Cap is a big, big risk, but it could pay off. We'll see.
As for why I defend Kofi in the casting of Rogue and Wolverine… The casting fit the script. It's that simple. Your issues with Rogue have little to do with Anna Paquin. They're issues with how the script portrayed her. As the script was written. Anna couldn't dip into the comics much more than the script allowed. Yes, I'd also love to see a hot bod Rogue flying around and smashing up things, but I think the path the first two films took with her character captured the most important element of her personality… and that is her real mutant power forcing her to stay forever at a distance from the ones she loves.
As for Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Sorry. I think he nailed it. They can only let him go so berserker and avoid an R rating. It's that simple. X-Men II struck a nice balance, but yes, the other films probably made him quite a bit tamer than the comic version.
So, that said… I'm not opposed to Vanessa Hudgens as Spider-Woman. Casting isn't my issue, but a comedic film… really??? How many times must Hollywood make this mistake before they realize they can let a woman star in an action role and play it straight? There are some super-heroines that might work for humor, but Spider-Woman is NOT one of them, not even close.
Yeah, you're right. I just wanted to keep her origin (which is CRAZY weird) simple for the readers – but I should've def added those two bits of info.
Updated the post with that info
Thanks for pointing that out.
1. any marvel universe sub character should be started on tv before they start spending $$ on casting a film or even spending $$ to even think about a film..Spiderwoman is in the same category as all of the other “heroes for hire” crew..Like the Avengers, she should be part of a group before they spin her off on her own..what's unfortunate about the next Thor film is that the amount of cameos by other heroes in the Marvel universe-for the exception of those already casted, are goin to be almost none at all..I mean unless she cameos in any of the next 3 films, or in Iron Man3 or even Hulk2, they shouldn't even consider a single film..this story just seems way off like 6 yrs off…maybe if they come up with anotheer team movie like “the Defenders” or “heroes for hire” or even the “secret defenders” than maybe it'll work out..
2. the comic book series was NEVER FUNNY.PERIOD…
I say give Vanessa Hudgens a chance – maybe she will pull a heat ledger
People who haven't read Spider-Woman or don't know who she is, shouldn't be saying how she shouldn't exist. <_< She's actually really, really awesome. She also, surprisingly, has nothing to do with Spider-Man.
And Vanessa Hudgens would be a terrible Spider-Woman. Besides always thinking of High School musical when I see her, and her being much, much too young.. she's just a terribly actress. And why does it say Spider-Woman's a 'sexy, but funny character'. <_< She has almost no sense of humor.
I always thought Eliza Dushku would be an amazing Spider-Woman. She would be perfect. <3
for gods sake vanessa is an actress, give her a chance! if she hadn’t been in hsm/disney people wouldn’t be so against her! you never know she could be really good, you shouldn’t judge on her background or how she started out – if she did play Spider Woman i would go see it…just saying…
Out of all the actresses in Hollywood I would love to see Kate Beckinsale as Spiderwoman, but please no way in hell would I or could I stomach a Actress like Megan Fox no way here acting it not so sweet or even good at all.
I want Kristian Kreuk to play Spiderwoman in the SPiderwoman movie.
Mila Kunis.. just putting it out there to hear opinions ? and also I Could think of Olivia Wilde who I think has done a great job last and this year…?