UPDATE: We've changed our title to reflect Jamil is interested in the role but is not actively campaigning to play Zatanna. Our original article continues below.
Actress Jameela Jamil may have her eyes on the role of the DC hero Zatanna Zatara. Jamil, who is most well-known for her role as Tahani on The Good Place, is currently hosting TBS game show The Misery Index. Since wrapping on The Good Place, Jamil has also lent her voice to various productions, including a small role on DC Universe animated series Harley Quinn.
Zatanna is a DC comics character created by Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson who first appeared in 1964. She’s the daughter of Giovanni Zatara and acts as a stage magician, but she also has magical superpowers to match those of other DC heroes. She has been included as a side character in a few smaller DC projects, but hasn’t had any standalone films or shows. In late 2018, a rumor circulated that Warner Bros and DC Films might have been in talks about a Zatanna movie, but no new information on that adaptation has since surfaced.
Even so, fans online still enjoy speculating on the possibility of a Zatanna film. These rumors resurfaced on Twitter recently, catching the attention of Jamil. The actress replied with a tweet containing an image of her in a magician’s costume, hinting at the fact that she might be a good casting choice for the magical hero. Jamil also makes light of the situation and acknowledges that the project may be unlikely, saying, “I’m too clumsy for this role but…”
Despite her self-deprecating comment, the fan response to Jamil’s tweet was wholly positive. The post seemed to spark new interest in a Zatanna project, which could be a potential opportunity for DC. Though Zatanna has appeared on screen before in Smallville, some want to see her take on a larger role in live-action. Matt Ryan of Legends of Tomorrow stated earlier this year that he would like for his character Constantine to meet Zatanna on the show, since the two were love interests in the original comics. Though there’s no official word on a standalone Zatanna movie, an appearance on Legends of Tomorrow could be a big step for the character.
If not on Legends of Tomorrow, then HBO Max's Justice League Dark TV show could be a property where Zatanna shows up. Though the show's roster of heroes hasn't been revealed yet, Zatanna is a member of the team in the comics. That would certainly make sense, since Zatanna isn't necessarily a well-known enough character to lead her own movie. Still, any live-action adaptation of Zatanna could be an opportunity to include some much-needed female representation in the superhero genre. DC has found success in the past with the Wonder Woman movie, and with the highly anticipated Wonder Woman 1984 on the way despite some unfortunate delays, there’s clearly a strong market for female-led superhero properties. By investing in a Zatanna Zatara project, no matter who is cast, DC could continue this positive trend and bring to the screen the female heroes fans are looking for.
Source: Jameela Jamil