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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That will be a great idea for SPIDER-WOMAN to become a spin off from the SPIDER-MAN films just like the original Superman films from the 80's released the first SUPERGIRL (1984-movie) starring Helen Slater as Superman's Cousin Kara Zor-El and in 2004 The Batman Spin-off CATWOMAN came out starring Halle Berry from X-MEN I-III who played Storm. This will be a great idea to see the Marvel Superheroine spin offs. Then Elektra came out from the DAREDEVIL spin-off in 2005 Starring Jennifer Garner. My first casting to Spider-Woman was Jennifer Love Hewitt. But everyone thinks Spider-Woman is related to Peter Parker. But she isn't. She is from London, England who is Jessica Drew ?
O_o this news is so disappointing . Miley Cyrus is a better choice or maybe Lady Gaga
there is a spider woman?! ugh.. i dont like this.
Spider-Woman the character is far from being a Spider-Man knock-off. She would be great in a movie, just not the way that is being described by MTV UK's “insider”. She's a reluctant assassin/spy like Jason Bourne, not some cheesy superhero.
I trust Marvel , they have always delivered what the audiences expect . Vanessa Hudgens as Spider-woman is not cool news though . I hope Marvel considers someone else .
What about the spider-women used in the Ultimate Spider-man Story line where she is a female clone of Peter if that is the way they are takling spider-man reboot she can be launched in that trilogy first then go to her origin movie from there…
This is the same as Channing Tatum playing Cap America. Ridiculous casting choices/rumors. These guys need to get a clue!
Kreuk would be PERFECT. Good job Kofi!
gah.. that kid is so UGLY. seriously, makes me sad — for her! hopefully, Spider Woman could wear a mask the entire movie..? haha oh boy
…Oh god nooooo. Disney kids! Curses!
No to the Hudges. Sorry I dont see Kreuk either. Spiderwoman in all readings Ive read is a “big” woman. Not overly muscular but very tone and can handle herself.
Kreuk seems to small as does Hudgie.
Think Cameron Diaz in The Mask or that girl that was in Ned's Declassified Lindsey Shaw.
Now that I googled Lindsey I think she wold be a good fit and could “grow” with the character.
I think they're trying to make this just a female version of Spider-Man and banking on the fact that the character is not really well known. That's a terrible route to go with this as you mention. I've got a feeling that Marvel feels all of its films have to have some sort of a blockbuster feel to them, even if they aren't really blockbusters. I like you're phrase “Marvel indie film” and think that's a great philosophy for them to work from with these lesser known characters. Even if they don't make huge money in the theater, they'll introduce new people to the characters and possibly get them to buy the comics. They need to think of it as an investment into the characters.
Also, I think Kreuk would be a great choice. I agree with you in that she's really grown as an actress since her Smallville days (I enjoyed her on Chuck and sort of wish they would have done more with that).
This is one of the worst things I have ever heard. EVER. HEARD.
AWFUL.
Vanessa Hudgens has ZERO business being ANYWHERE NEAR this character. BAD.
That's a good idea. Makes more sense that she just dons a costume that looks like Spidey (COPYRIGHT in the real world) and has some of his powers just out of no where?
But then they would have to make the whole Clone Saga thing in the Spider-Man movies. Good story, just not a movie.
I think it's time we let go of the need to “match the look of the comic book” when casting these movies.
If we look at some of the better casting decisions of the Marvel Movies:
Wolverine – Hugh Jackman is NOT short and stocky, but was great.
Rogue – Anna Paquin is NOTHING like rogue – still worked well.
Cap – Chris Evans doesn't immediately come to mind, but I predict he will be great.
It's about who can bring the character to life onscreen the right way – not who fits the ridiculous (and unrealistic) proportions comic book artists draw female characters with. A DD cup and size -2 waist with a muscle toned body is going to be hard to find. LOL!
Kreuk seems like she'd have the internal conflict and melancholy to bring SW to life the way I envision. She also looks like she'd be good as a sneaky little spy/assassin – wall crawl in, find her target “sting” him/her to death and sneak out.
Oh yeah, she'd work.
I dont think marvel should make a spiderwoman movie till after they have produced a succesful spider-man movie under their own roof…
Jolynn Carpenter is the one that looks like spider-woman
I think its a great idea to do a Spider-Woman motion picture! I agree that it should be a Bourne Identity kind of film. It should be a seriously cool international James Bond kind of Spy drama, with her. I also like the Spider-Woman having a British accent from the webcomics but that's just me. I think there are better actresses then Hutchins that's for sure. It should definitely not be a comedy. I like how Marvel Reintroduced her in the comics. They should stick to that.
A lot of us feared that when Disney acquired Marvel they would superimpose their brand of squeaky clean,cute and cuddly,teen icon image onto Marvel and if this rumor is true it would be a conformation that this nightmare is coming to pass.
Also I agree with Kofi we need to focus more on who has the acting chops to bring these characters to life,rather than on who is the best look alike for a certain character.
I don't know that you could pull it off with a $30 million budget but a Submariner movie would be cool.
BTW does Marvel have a live action TV series in the works?That would be a great way to introduce some of Marvels lesser known characters to the masses IMHO.
i cant help but feel like this is the first sign of disney's “influence”
i cant help but feel like this is the first sign of disney's “influence”
none of these were great choices…
Jackman is not Wolverine, he played Wolverine's older, taller, less aggressive cousin or something…Mel Gibson would of been perfect…
Rogue? Again, apart from the Southern accent, nothing like her…
And Captain Torch? Doubt it…
A Spider-Woman movie could be awesome if done right, with the right casting choice… Michelle Ryan (Bionic Woman) certainly has the look…
The general public are going to find it hard to seperate this character from Spiderman.
And Kofi, Kristen Kreuk WTF??? Hot she may be, but I had to deal with her for eight years in Smallville, I dont think I could actually watch her in a movie because she might be the worst actress ever.
Emily Blunt would be my choice
umm before they cast anyone from the neck up they should match from the neck down..
no itty bitty titties please..hudgens has the gams…Catherine Zeta Jones anyone??what movie has she done lately..recent pix of her-HOTTT
that is where the problem lies or where they can make it up-one minute she's aclone,the next she's hydra, or raised by madame web or she's an agent-that's all marvel's fault aS A publisher of comic books..they were always trying to reinvent that character because it never really was as much a hit like spider-man…remember during Secret Wars and the copied black costume??and even the last story arcwith Civil War then the Skrulls-her being a skrull the whole time,and now with Siege..her character hasn't realy been consistent or that interesting by itself in its own series-only when it benefits another series like the avengers or shield…maybe bring her in a later sequel to avengers or tie-in somehow.
also..kristen kreux-just doesn't seem the “do-able” type-not a turn on at all..
Spider-woman should appeal to male fans especially in the sexy arena like Wonder Woman or PowerGirl are in DC comics..When SpiderWoman shows up,mouths drop.
Yea but Spider Womans costume looks nothing like SpiderMans and they are two completely diff characters.
@Kofi ,You forgot to say that she also did a stint at S.H.I.E.L.D. and she emits highly intoxicating pheromones that make her totally irresistible to the opposite sex,she can make most men do any thing for her at a whim.
@Kofi ,You forgot to say that she also did a stint at S.H.I.E.L.D. and she emits highly intoxicating pheromones that make her totally irresistible to the opposite sex,she can make most men do any thing for her at a whim.
Sorry Kofi, but Frank Castle is right. One of the reasons originally Wolverine was loved so much is because he's the “little guy” just like a REAL Wolverine but he kicks ass and keeps coming. Most of the guys that Wolverine's enemies are way bigger than him which makes it more badass when he he beats them.Jackman's Wolverine never experienced his signature “berserker rage” and he was becoming too nice. Ana Paquin did somewhat ok with the character but it was about 30% of Rogue.I know your going to say its because how they were written,thats true but as an actor you have to research your character and become the character which includes informing the writers knowledge of the character that absolutely need to be in the film and how it would make for a more true channeling of the character.