Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has weighed in on UFC Champ Ronda Rousey’s push to play the title role in the studio’s planned 2018 Captain Marvel film.
Speaking with IGN.com Feige said he was happy with the interest in the part.
“I love it,” Feige said. “That happens occasionally, and I think that’s a testament more to the strength of the characters… Going back to my early days at Marvel, there were always various people campaigning to be Wolverine. I guess that was pre-Twitter and pre-Internet days, but still for some reason would pop up in Wizard Magazine. Wizard Magazine would always have ‘this person wants to play this role!’ It’s a testament to how great the characters are that it appeals to such a wide range of talented, talented people.”
However, Feige made it clear that they haven’t even begun to narrow things down on the part, and won’t begin casting until sometime in 2016.
“You look at the ways we’ve cast our films in the past and it’s always about who’s the best person to inhabit the character, whether that is an actor like Chris Hemsworth who bulks up, or a wrestler like Dave Bautista who played Drax who ends up being an amazing performer, an amazing actor and a clever and witty and pointed comedic actor,” Feige said. “For us, it’s sitting down with people and starting to meet people and as the script takes shape and as we start to build who the character should be and finding the right person to match it up. We haven’t necessarily started sitting down with people yet and meeting on that part.”
Penick’s Analysis: A public acknowledgement that they’re recognizing her push is good. It’s not necessarily a sign of anything, but they know who she is and that she’s interested, and that’s at least a potential foot in the door to at least have a chance for this role. As Feige says, they’re still not going to be in the casting process for quite some time, but expect Rousey to be pushing for a chance again once that time comes.
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